Flight attendants, who spend a significant portion of their lives traveling, have shared their most effective tips for packing and navigating flights. These insights focus on maximizing space, ensuring comfort, and preventing common travel mishaps.
Packing Strategies
Organization is key to efficient packing, according to flight attendants. Many recommend using packing cubes and compression bags, which can help fit more items into less space. Liz, a flight attendant and content creator, noted that compression bags allowed her to pack three weeks' worth of clothes for a trip to Europe in a carry-on bag. Serena Chew, another flight attendant, uses a set of six packing cubes purchased from Amazon to keep her belongings organized and maximize space. She also advocates for rolling clothes to prevent wrinkles and conserve space.
To prevent spills and protect clothing, the use of waterproof toiletry bags is highly recommended. Asimina Plessia, a VIP flight attendant, advises this to avoid leakage. Liz suggests using zipper-seal bags for liquids to contain any potential spillage caused by changes in altitude.
Valuables, including jewelry, money, personal documents, and expensive bags, should always be packed in a carry-on to mitigate the risk of lost luggage. Plessia and Chew both emphasize this point. They also suggest packing a change of clothes in the carry-on in case of delayed luggage.
For added comfort and practicality, flight attendants suggest packing an extra, lightweight jacket in the carry-on. This can provide warmth on the plane and be useful at the destination, depending on the weather. Ultra-light down jackets are particularly versatile as they pack small and can be used for layering.
Shoes should be packed separately from clothes to prevent dirt and germs from spreading. Liz recommends using a dust bag or a plastic bag for shoes.
In-Flight Comfort and Health
To combat swelling and reduce the risk of blood clots, especially on flights longer than five hours, wearing compression socks or tights is advised. Liz suggests these for anyone who experiences leg and foot swelling after flying. It is noted that for certain medical conditions, prescription-strength compression hosiery may be necessary.
Chew recommends selecting an aisle seat to allow for easier movement during the flight. To aid lymphatic fluid circulation upon arrival, she suggests resting one's legs against a wall for about 20-30 minutes.
For better sleep during the flight, Plessia never travels without an eye mask and earplugs, while Liz highly recommends noise-canceling headphones to block out cabin noise.
Protection from the sun's rays is also important, even at cruising altitudes. Chew advises keeping window shades closed and applying a strong sunscreen, as UVA rays are more intense when flying. Liz agrees, recommending a moisturizer with a high SPF to combat the dry cabin air and protect the skin. Sunscreen is unnecessary for night flights.
Passenger Etiquette
Chew also offered a reminder about passenger conduct, noting that flight attendants are not paid during the boarding process. She stated that kindness can go a long way, acknowledging that flying can be frustrating but emphasizing that flight attendants are there to assist passengers when airline issues arise.