One Frequent Flier Spills Their Must-haves for Staying Stress-free on Long Flights — Starting at $7 (2024)

Have a long flight coming up? While the destination may have you excited, the road to get there can be, well, less than thrilling. There’s no way around it: airports are stress-prone hot spots. From keeping tabs on your baggage and navigating droves of people to settling in for a bumpy ride in cramped quarters with a bunch of strangers, long flights give lots of time for something to go wrong. But, you can upgrade your travel gear with stress-reducing products from Amazon to make your next flight hassle-free.

As a frequent flier, and someone who loves traveling overseas, I devote a good amount of pre-travel time to thinking through how to make life easier en route to my final destination. That often starts with having plenty of items on-hand to help make my ride in the skies more comfortable (better relaxation mid-air equals less stress on the ground); but it also extends to essentials that keep me feeling calm and less chaotic in the terminal.

Thankfully, you don’t have to invest in super-expensive devices and products to get a more blissed-out travel experience. With the right mix, you can keep your body and mind feeling more calm than frazzled. Before your next big adventure, check out these 14 frequent flier-approved travel accessories that are sure to bring your stress down.

Apple AirTags

You've made it to your final destination, but did your bags make it, too? You never have to worry about the whereabouts of your checked luggage again thanks to the Apple AirTag, a genius Bluetooth tracker that keeps an extra eye on your belongings. If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, setup is a breeze; with a single tap, the AirTag pairs with your iPhone or iPad, and it’s instantly accessible through the Find My app (Android users can enjoy the same Bluetooth tracking benefits with similar products such as Tile Mate). Seriously, this is one investment that will bring so much sanity to your travels.

Thule Subterra PowerShuttle Electronics Carrying Case

Tangled cords are stressful, even when you're not 30,000 feet above the ground. But when you’re fumbling around in your carry-on bag for your phone charger while bumping elbows with your seatmate, it’s all the more aggravating. Manage your chargers, cords, cables, and headphones with this sleek carrying case from Thule. Available in three sizes, these durable cases are designed to keep everything organized and within reach, whether that be tucked inside a backpack or your airline seat pocket.

Coolife Expandable 20-Inch Carry-On Suitcase

As a frequent traveler, you’re always on the lookout for durable and convenient luggage solutions. Reviewers love the sleek design, exceptional wheel mobility, and overall functionality of this 20-inch carry-on from Coolife. One of the standout features of this suitcase is its exceptional wheel design. The 360-degree rotation capability allows the roller bag to glide in any direction smoothly without the strain of traditional two-wheel options. Whether navigating through busy airports, crowded train stations, or uneven pavements, these wheels prove their reliability, and make this bag a stress-free pleasure to travel with. And, it's expandable, so you can expect plenty of packing space.

PlaneAire Clean Surface and Air Mist

Settling in for a long flight? Feeling a little weary about those lingering germs around your seat? This plant-based, TSA-compliant surface cleaner and mist is a perfect way to reset before takeoff. Start by spraying it directly on your seat, armrests, headrest, seat belt, tray table, and overhead vents to sanitize. Then, spray the air around your seat and take a deep breath as its calming blend of peppermint, lemon, oregano, rosemary, thyme and lavender essential oils freshens and deodorizes your space. Don’t be surprised if travelers around you ask you to spritz their area, too!

MiiKare Airplane Universal Handsfree Phone Mount

More and more planes are doing away with seatback TVs, leaving travelers with just their phones to stay entertained in-flight. But holding your phone at the perfect angle for hours on a long flight is not only exhausting, but also incredibly annoying. Enter: the MiiKare Airplane Phone Mount. This handy, little phone stand clamps your phone vertically or horizontally and can be mounted on everything from your tray table to your luggage handle for hands-free viewing anywhere, anytime. Bonus: It works great on hotel gym treadmills, bedside tables, and more to give you eye-level entertainment.

Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder

This simple, unassuming accessory is a game-changer. When you’re racing through the terminal, it never feels like you have enough hands for everything that you need to carry. Designed to fit on most roll-on suitcase handles, the Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder is adjustable and provides a helpful, extra hand. Use the front two pockets to hold standard 8- to 24-ounce coffee mugs, tumblers, or water bottles; the back pocket can stash your phone or printed tickets for quick and easy access. Then, remove it and pack flat in your carry-on so it's ready to go for your next flight.

GuanJunx Luggage Straps Bag Bungees

I can’t count the number of times that my tote bag has fallen off the edge of my rolling suitcase as I’m wheeling through a terminal. It’s a tiny annoyance, but it adds a quick and uneasy feeling of frustration when I'm rushing to my gate. The GuanJunx bungee straps allow you to secure a second bag, coat, or any other extra accessory to your carry-on or wheeled luggage, creating a sleek and secure stack of baggage that won’t budge as you move around the airport. It also makes your suitcase easily recognizable with their bright-hued design, which eliminates stress at the baggage carousel.

​​Over Easy Mini Breakfast Granola Bars

Snickers was right: You’re not you when you’re hungry. In fact, research has shown that stress can actually be heightened when our blood sugar is on the rocks. Having a healthy snack like the Over Easy Mini Breakfast Granola Bars at the ready is one of the best ways to arm yourself against mid-travel hunger. The organic, gluten-free oats in this granola bar deliver long-lasting energy (read: no crash and burn); combined with cage-free egg whites for protein, these 100-calorie travel bars are nutritiously sound, surprisingly filling, and seriously delicious. And, you'll be happy you have these in your bag in the event that you're running late and don't have time to grab a pre-flight snack.

Goli Ashwagandha Gummies

Nervous or anxious when you fly? These mind-calming gummies deserve a spot in your carry-on. Ashwagandha has been getting tons of buzz lately as the herb has been clinically shown to help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality. While it’s important to qualify that they aren't magic and won't solve all your problems (and you'll still want to consult with your doctor before adding them to your wellness routine), they do help take some of the nervous edge off when you need a little extra support. Take it from this reviewer: "These are amazing for keeping your cool and lifting your mood. I took two to four of these daily for a month, and noticed a dramatic difference in my stress levels."

Goldtoe Men's Mild Compression Over-The-Calf Socks

Score the benefits of solid compression without the hassle of socks that feel too snug or difficult to put on thanks to this Goldtoe three-pack. With an over-the-calf cut, these travel-friendly socks provide graduated compression from the ankle to below the knee, promoting healthy circulation on long flights so you can kick back and relax without discomfort. Premium moisture-wicking lycra spandex keeps you feeling fresh while the seamless, reinforced toe delivers plenty of comfort.

Roll Recovery R1 Percussion Massage Gun

Delayed flights. Cramped seats. There's a lot about air travel that can leave you feeling tense. With this mini massage gun, you can relieve tight muscles and soothe your stress in minutes. Unlike other portable massagers, this one is seriously powerful and stunningly quiet. Best of all, it's compact size and seven-hour battery life means that it's ready for you whenever and wherever you need it. Alternate between four speed settings and four attachment heads for a customizable and body-calming massage.

Essentia Er-Go Organic Latex Travel Pillow

It's rare to find someone that thinks the airplane pillows are comfortable. Oftentimes, they're barely stuffed and made with scratchy fabrics. Next time, rest easy — even in a middle seat in economy — with this latex (and memory foam) travel neck pillow. The ergonomic design includes a small hump in the back, which delivers long-lasting support and comfort at any angle. Snap it onto your personal item for easy transporting, and simply unzip the removable cover to wash in between trips.

You can achieve the same level of in-flight comfort with the Mlvoc Travel Neck Pillow, which also features an ergonomic and memory foam design starting at $30.

Aloisia Beauty Deep Hydration Aloe Gel Mist

Long flights can take a toll on your skin, leaving it stressed and dehydrated. This multitasking face mist soothes, hydrates, and protects the skin with moisturizing aloe vera, skin-plumping hydrolyzed collagen, oil-balancing witch hazel, and damage-repairing green tea. It's perfect for all skin types, TSA-approved, and ready to refresh you on-the-go. Plus, if you're headed somewhere tropical, you'll be happy that you brought it along if you get sunburned.

Dude Wipes On-The-Go Flushable Wipes

Transcontinental travel disrupts your normal routines like sleeping and eating. But when your total flight time elapses a full 24 hours or more, it also disrupts your standard hygiene routine, which can make anyone feel a little grumpy and stressed. Stay fresh and clean on-the-go with these unisex individually-wrapped and flushable wipes. Measuring up at 35 percent larger than average wipes and loaded with an invigorating blend of eucalyptus and tea tree oil, Dude Wipes help you score a pocket-sized shower from any airport stall.

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