Updated: August 2026
Packing a carry-on bag can feel overwhelming, but a simple checklist helps you maximize space and stay prepared for your journey. Below is a complete guide to what you need in your carry-on, from travel documents to comfort items that make a long flight easier.
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Your Carry-On and Everyday Bag
The CALPAK Luka Duffel in Matte Black is my go-to carry-on. It has a spacious main compartment, a trolley sleeve that slides over luggage handles, and enough structure to hold its shape even when packed full. It works well as a weekender or as the main carry-on for longer trips.
Inside it, I keep the Lululemon All Night Festival Bag 5L to hold my loose essentials, so nothing gets lost at the bottom of the duffel. The adjustable shoulder strap allows for comfortable carrying, the zipper secures your valuables, and the wide opening makes it easy to find what you need without digging through your whole bag. The water-repellant fabric holds up well in inclement weather.
Travel Documents and Essentials
Before anything else, gather the items you cannot fly without. Keep these in one easy-to-reach spot in your bag.
- Passport, ID, and travel documents
- Boarding pass, printed or digital
- Wallet with cash and credit cards
- Phone, charger, and power bank
- Pen for customs forms
- Travel documents organizer to keep everything together
Comfort Items for the Flight
Ear Plugs
The Loop Quiet Ear Plugs for Noise Reduction are a balance of form and function. The silicone is flexible but firm, and the design stays comfortable for hours. The box includes small, medium, and large sizes. These ear plugs are multipurpose. Use them while flying to drown out neighbor noise, when sharing lodging with someone who snores, or even at concerts.
Sleep Mask
The Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask provides a snug fit that blocks out any hint of light. It has no-pressure eye pockets and a comfortable strap around the back of the head. This sleep mask works well for long flights and for resetting your sleep cycle after international travel.
Neck Pillow
Pair your sleep mask with a supportive neck pillow to rest more easily on longer flights. The Napfun Neck Pillow for Traveling is made from 100% pure memory foam and is designed to support your head against an airplane headrest, so you can actually sleep sitting up. It is lightweight and portable, making it easy to clip onto a carry-on and bring along on any flight.
Lightweight Sweater or Scarf
Cabin temperatures vary widely, so pack a lightweight layer you can add or remove easily. A scarf doubles as a blanket or neck pillow in a pinch. My go-to is a light blue cashmere scraf purchased from Lilly Pulitzer about 10 years ago.
Health and Hygiene
Disinfecting Wipes
Research shows the headrest and tray table are two of the dirtiest spots on a plane. The Honest Company Sanitizing Wipes, Fragrance-Free, Antibacterial (50ct) are gentle enough for sensitive skin but still get the job done on these high-touch areas before you settle in.
Travel-Size Lotion, Lip Balm, and Toiletries
Cabin air dries out skin and lips quickly. Pack travel-size lotion and lip balm, along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mints for freshening up before landing.
Medication
Bring any medication you need, along with copies of prescriptions, in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.
First Aid Kit
This Mini First Aid Kit, a 150-piece small waterproof hard shell medical kit, helps you handle common medical situations and keep your trip on track. It is compact enough for travel, home, or the car, and comes with comprehensive supplies for whatever comes up. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Electronics and Entertainment
Power Adapter
The Tessan International Power Adapter is compact and lightweight. It includes four plug types (A, C, G, and I), covering more than 150 countries, and can charge multiple devices at once with three USB-C and two USB-A ports.
Portable Charger
Reaching for your phone or laptop and finding the battery dead is never fun. The INIU 10000mAh 45W Fast Charging Portable Charger is compact, flight-safe, and includes a detachable USB-C cable, so it works as a travel essential without adding much bulk. It charges devices like an iPhone, Samsung, or iPad quickly, which is especially useful when you find yourself without access to an outlet.
Book or E-Reader
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB with a new 7-inch glare-free display and weeks of battery life. Reading is a great way to pass time in the air.
Snacks and Water
Bring snacks such as granola bars or nuts to avoid relying on airport food prices, and carry an empty reusable water bottle to fill after security.
The Close
Flying can be exhausting, but a well-packed carry-on keeps your essentials within reach and makes the entire experience more comfortable. Plan ahead, and your next flight will feel a little easier.
— izzy