Some travelers always fly direct, rarely have flight issues and sometimes, even get randomly bumped to first class. Then there are those of us who simply cannot catch a break when we are to be traveling by air. I am in the latter camp.
If you, like me, seem to always get delayed or if you’re planning some upcoming travel with a long layover, I curated a list of odds and ends to make passing the time feel a little less terrible. While I can’t guarantee you clear skies and generous flight attendants who give you the whole can of Diet Coke, I can suggest some items to take with you in your carry-on bag . From body products to portable chargers, consider this your airport survival guide, whether you’re hanging out for an hour before boarding or are stranded in Newark for seven hours.
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First things first, we have to make sure you have some sort of quality headphones happening. Now is as good of time as any to finally make the leap on AirPod Pros that seamlessly connect to your iPhone, Macbook or iPad, letting you listen to all your favorite music and movies. They have active noise canceling to let you enjoy your media and they're sweat- and water-resistant so you don't have to worry if it starts to rain.
(Though inclement weather may not bode well for your flight.) Promising review : "Absolutely love these! Noise cancellation is top notch! Drowns everything out, makes traveling on airplanes so much better." — Senga A great way to try AirPods for less than half the price of Pros, these second-generation AirPods also automatically connect with your smart devices.
They're Siri-enabled with a built-in microphone, seamlessly switch between your laptop and phone and have over a 24-hour battery life with the charging case and five hours of direct play time. They use an Apple lightning cable , so it's likely the same charger as your iPhone or iPad, and the compact case is easy to carry to work, the gym or anywhere else. While they don't have active noise canceling, they fit securely in your ear, making them great for travel or long stays in the airport.
Promising review: "Beautiful design and very convenient in airports and when working out." — Erik Castro Airports are essentially giant germ farms and you likely are going to want to sanitize your hands multiple times. I really like a spray hand sanitizer — it's easy to share with kids or others, can be sprayed onto a seat or table to wipe it down and you can easily give a spritz to a stranger in need.
If you're looking for the elite option, Touchland hand sanitizers , cost a slightly shocking $10 but truly are chef's kiss. These sprays are rectangular and thin, so they're super easy to sneak in a bag. They literally smell like perfumes and feel so good on the hands and aren't sticky or wet.
They immediately dry upon being sprayed, but not in a dry- out way, just in a not-clammy way. Staying hydrated while you wait things out is a must. Owala FreeSip bottles are another favorite among both HuffPost readers and our staff.
You can sip it with a straw or swig it from a larger opening. The leakproof lid will give you peace of mind on the go, and the fun color combos will fit any style. It's a great option for traveling, planes, airports and trying to stay hydrated on the go.
Reminder: the bottle has to be empty to go through security, but once you're through you can fill it at the water fountains. For extra hydration and electrolytes, I have found few options as tasty as Liquid I.V .
They come in easy-to-carry little pouches and can be put directly into a bottle of water from the kiosk that costs triple what it should. These come in a bunch of fun flavors like pina colada and Acai berry. As much as you might hate using airport restrooms, the longer your delay, the higher the chances you'll need a bathroom break.
If the restroom is out of soap, you wanna wash on the go or the dispenser just looks gnarly — you'll be glad to have a pack of these portable mini soap sheets. Just wet them and they'll lather up to clean your hands. They're available in different quantities and scent options (including jasmine and unscented).
Clip the coupon for an additional 5% off. Promising review: "I purchased these for an upcoming trip so that I could wash my hands anywhere. I was amazed at how well these worked and how small/compact they are.
Very easy to travel with and you can even stick them in a pocket. I’m crazy about having clean hands at all times so this was the perfect addition to my purse products!" — Audrey p Speaking of undesirable airport bathrooms: Toilet wipes. Toilet wipes.
Toilet wipes . Need we say more? Listen, you'll be happy you have them, especially ones with a durable, reusable, hard plastic opening and not that sad little flap that will betray you and have the entire pack dry out. I especially like this set because it comes with a ton of product and a super cute packaging that doesn't scream "BATHROOM WIPES" and could pass for something else in your purse.
With this brilliant Amazon Kindle Paperwhite ,you could have thousands of books at your fingertips to help those long delays breeze on by. Offering an adjustable warm light, it's easy on the eyes and pairs with Audible if you prefer audio books. A charge lasts up to 10 weeks, so you likely won't have to stress about it losing juice and this option is waterproof, so you don't have to panic if your waterbottle spills on it.
Yeah, yeah you play the crossword on your phone or in the physical paper, or now, maybe on HuffPost . Still, to pass the time it's nice to have some old-school paper books on hand. This set comes with six books including easier and large print options.
A portable charger feels like a no-brainer for preparing for long hours at the airport. Something like this multi-wire charger has three connected charging cable types (lighting iPhone, USB-C and micro USB) along with two USB inputs and a USB-C input — meaning it can juice six devices at once. Depending on your phone, you can get roughly one to three charges out of it and the connected USB plug makes re-charging it extra easy.
It also comes in a bunch of nice colors. (This particular model was recommended to us by HuffPost travel reporter Caroline Bologna — a Platinum-status frequent flyer on Delta .) Want something a little more compact? How about two somethings? This pair of travel portable phone chargers are about the size of a tube of lipstick and plug right into your phone, so you can charge it as you use it.
Clip the coupon for an extra 10% off at checkout! Promising review: " No longer will I be stuck charging my phone randomly on walls or the “charging stations” in airports. This lil buddy fit my iPhone 12 Pro with no issues and quickly charged it back. I was able to keep my phone charged on a super long bus ride to our mission trip destination (7 hrs).
Recharged it the night before our return and never ran out of cell service. Being in a foreign country and only speak a very small amount of the language, I used my Google translate a lot to help me navigate the transit system" — Kelly When you are stuck for hours on end in the airport, the last thing you need is to be overheated or just feel stuffy from all the non-moving air. While there are tons of portable hand fans out there, this is the one I own and really do recommend.
I knew I needed something with the blades covered and that wasn't too small. I also liked that it came in blue. (It comes in a bunch of other colors, too.
) The fan is about the size of a smartphone, works at three speeds and truly is becoming something of an emotional support fan. Another great airport hack is keeping a travel extension cord in your bag, so you don't need to sit on the floor by the outlet or touch other high-traffic areas. The 3.
2-foot cord wraps around the base for easy storage and travel. It offers three outlets, three USB ports and two fast-charging USB-C ports. Promising review: " I bought this specifically for work travel and I love it.
Fits perfectly in an already full laptop backpack. Works great in conference rooms, airports, and hotels. Wraps back up to the same size easily after use.
Has a bit of reach from the extension, and allows charging at ports for your phone while your laptop (and several coworkers laptops) are plugged in." — Amazon customer Never underestimate the power of a good toothbrush. When you're stuck at the airport feeling like a bag of garbage, giving your pearly whites a little scrub can do wonders.
This Philips One by Sonicare toothbrush comes with a handy traveling case and is powered by a single AAA battery that can last up to 90 days. It's lightweight, compact and easy to pack. You can set it with a two-minute timer in 30-second increments, making sure you get each quadrant.
Ah, the Stasher bag. Again, the price may raise an eyebrow, but when you use one in person you'll get it. They're made from really high-quality silicone that can go in the dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven up to 425 degrees.
They're also great for bringing snacks with you on the go (or for storing your mini carry-on toiletries) and won't snag or break open. This set comes with four bags; two sandwich size and two snack bags. Need a portable charger with a little more power to juice a laptop or tablet? We got that too.
With two USB ports and an AC outlet, this portable power bank can charge your laptop for two whole charges. That's right baby. Shop online, watch a movie or call into that meeting without stressing about sitting near an outlet.
You can juice up multiple devices at the same time and the charger recharges within four hours. Reviews say it's great as a portable laptop charger but also works as a power bank for smaller devices. When you finally score a coveted outlet, you no longer need to debate which item is getting the charge.
This handy, folding charging station has a spot for your iPhone, Apple watch and AirPods to each wirelessly charge at the same time. Reviews say this is great for hotels too. Note: If you plan to buy two, be sure to clip the on-page coupon for an extra 5% off.
Promising review: "This charger has a logical design. It fits in my carryon bag for quick charging at the airport and is perfect for a charging station in a hotel." — Star The worst-case scenario: your AirPods are dead and there's no outlet in sight (and you didn't bring one of the chargers mentioned in the previous slides).
Having a spare set of wired headphones around — with the lightning port, if you have an iPhone — will keep the tunes and podcast playing and help keep your stress level down. The classic, the OG, the best in the game: You need some travel Clorox wipes . Wipe down your luggage handle, the security bin, your seat at the gate, your seat on the plane and really everything else.
This comes in a three-pack, each with 75 wipes and a strong seal that keeps the contents from drying out. Traveling in comfy shoes may sound obvious, but truly, your feet will thank you. When stuck at the airport, at least your toes can have a nice vacation right away with this new Ghost style from Brooks.
Where older models of the Ghost have soles infused with air, the 16 model uses nitrogen to be extra lightweight, and “ floaty-feeling ” per the brand. The 16 also offers an extra grippy rubber outsole, providing traction on uneven ground and making the shoes even more durable. The enhanced air mesh upper promises breathability while still offering a secure fit and the sole is specially designed to lessen extra pressure on the balls of your feet as you walk or run.
These come in a bunch of colors in women's sizes 5-13 and men's sizes 7-15 with narrow, wide and extra-wide options. Another comfy shoe that's easy to slide on and these Allbird tree loungers are breathable and comfy. The laceless design that makes them easier to dress up for the office or a dinner out, meaning they're a great travel show.
These come in nine colors in women's sizes 5-11 and men's sizes 8-14. Promising review : "So comfortable, lightweight and stylish. Great for everyday walking and for travel.
Easy to pack. Arch support adds extra comfort. I have multiple pairs of different styles and colors.
" — Elaine C. Having a nice mini lotion in your bag makes you feel more put together even if you just had to physically pull yourself away from the gate because you came dangerously close to asking to see the agent's manager. We live, laugh, love La Roche-Posay at HuffPost and this mini is no exception.
I just picked one up at a drug store, and have really liked it. I like that there's no scent and it's really gentle, so it plays well with whatever products you already have on. You might be stuck at the airport all day, but hear me now: You will not be stuck at the airport all day with raw and red legs from walking all around.
Megababe's Thigh Rescue is a truly beloved anti-chafe stick that helps you stay moving and grooving without getting sticky and patchy. It's really gentle and non-scented and is a sweaty person's dream to be used all over your body to keep you from rubbing and getting irritated when you're clammy. A blister during a long stay at the airport is another inconvenience that we simply will not accept.
I have publicly proclaimed my love for these hydroseal blister Band-Aids before, and I am happy to do so again. I carry a couple in my wallet at all times and at the faintest sign of a blister starting I'm quick to put them on. After hour one in the airport, you likely want a shower more than you want world peace.
The closest you can get is refreshing up with body wipes, especially ones like this set from Busy Co that come in citrus, lavender and unscented options. They're individually wrapped so they're easy to slip in a purse or bag. Plus, they're biodegradable and made from bamboo.
When we spoke to flight attendants about their flying and airport must-haves , Andrea Taylor , a flight attendant with Frontier Airlines said a tube of Aquaphor was top of the list. "Whenever I feel as though my lips are becoming dry, I squeeze a little on the tip of my finger and dab it on my lips and, honestly, it makes them look and feel so much better than any gloss I’ve ever used," Taylor previously told HuffPost. The epitome of a problem-solving product you didn't know existed, these discreet bra liners slide easily under the base of your bra to absorb sweat and prevent chafing.
Another reader favorite, it felt right to include them here, because as anyone that's blessed by the boob will know, sitting for hours on end is a one-way ticket to Sweatville. They come in packs of four, with two color pack options and sizes ranging from small to XX-large. They're made from moisture-wicking material and are compatible with most bras.
Another under-boob sweat helper, try this editor-favorite and highly-rated "Bust Dust" from Megababe. It's a sweat-absorbing powder that's aluminum- and talc-free and isn't an aerosol can (though it kind of looks like one.) I can attest, you pump it and the powder comes out.
It's truly a low-mess option that's body-safe and cornstarch-based, with aloe and chamomile to soothe skin and lavender to inhibit bacterial growth. If you swear by all-purpose cleaners, bring along some of these pet- and kid-friendly mini surface cleaners with you to the airport. Spray down your seat, your luggage, your phone and anything else.
They don't have intense fumes or smells and won't dry sticky or leave residue. Promising review: "I took this on a trip to Florida. Sprayed everything on the plane because I'm a germaphobe.
The seatbelt, the tray, the seat, the flight attendant (just kidding). And in the hotels works great for spraying the tv remotes, door knobs, light switches, etc. my husband and I haven't gotten sick yet this winter!" — Aubrie Another handy tool, these mini Lysol sprays kill 99.
9% of mold, mildew, bacteria and viruses when used correctly. These bottles are each one ounce, come in a three-pack and are great to throw in a carryon. You can also get them in packs of six , eight and 12 .
Promising review : "I carry these in my bag and spray at will. They are great for killing odors in plane bathrooms as sometimes it just smells when we get on board or after many customers use the bathroom and it starts to get a little spicy. They fit in small pockets or spaces in luggage or purses.
Mighty and powerful." — Dionne Audain Never be caught without a straw — or worse, with a disintegrating paper tube — again. This handy pack comes with four travel straws that can each easily attach to your keychain.
Promising review: "These straws are great, they even include a brush for washing! I never knew such a thing existed! Convenient for traveling when I need a straw for drinking!" — Vicki Antonucci Related From Our Partner.
