For the short time that we are away from our home, and we check in with half of our lives packed into our Hand Luggage’s, we have to live for a couple of hours in a small carry on. So today, we embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of Hand Luggage packing, ensuring comfort, style, and efficiency throughout our travels.
Backpack or Spinner
First and foremost, what should you use to store all of this? Should you opt for a bigger, and more firm spinner or a softer, smaller, more flexible backpack.
Well the answer is, it depends on what cabin you’re in and how much you need to pack. Shorter flights obviously will not need as many items as a long haul and it also depends on which cabin you are flying in. For Economy I generally have a strict backpack rule as there is never enough space in the overhead cabins and you do not have lounge access so when chilling in the terminal, backpacks are just a little more easier.
For premium cabins, I would go for the spinner as the overhead bins can accommodate it and you don’t have to worry as much since you will be in an airport lounge.
Ultimately my advice is for you to look at your preferences, cabin and personal needs and then my suggestion is to do a rehearsal.
Take some time two or three days before your flight to test if all of your items fit into a backpack or your spinner bag and adjust accordingly. It always helps to know ahead of time, maybe you can reorganize and pack more into your checked in bag or maybe you can choose less bulky items for your carry on. It never hurts to try.
- Extra set of Clothes
First and foremost, we are students, or as the older generations call us, the “Instagram Generation”, we need the airport selfies and fit pics and if anything goes wrong we need a backup!
Besides the “Instagram Generations” needs, it almost goes without saying but on any trip longer than 2 hours, an extra set of clothes in your carry on is an absolute NECESSITY.
You never really know what might happen when flying, a fellow passenger spills a drink on you, in the airport you sit on a dirty chair or on a really long trip, maybe you feel a little hot or cold and want to change to something more conducive to the weather, or you find a shower and want to change to a fresh pair of clothes just to be a bit more comfortable. - Pajama’s
Credits: Emirates
Class isn’t defined by what you wear; it’s about how you wear it. Even in pajamas, elegance can prevail.
If you like getting a little more comfy on board your flight, this is the way to go. If you know anything about TravelingMojo, it’s that we love to travel in luxury, style and efficiency and what better way than to be looking classy in those gorgeous airport fits (plus we need them for the selfies) and then getting all cosy and comfy on your flight. Just before landing you can wake up again and be ready to wow the fans at arrivals in your classy outfit. That’s how we do it! - Jacket
Ever feel that the airplane’s AC is too cold or your destination is going to have cold weather? Either way it is hard to predict either and therefore I always recommend travellers to carry a lightweight jacket.
I want to highlight that word……LIGHTWEIGHT! I constantly see passengers with huge puffer jackets that are just too big and not practical. Trying to stuff those into your carry-ons is a mission and it’s always more convenient travelling light compared to travelling heavy.
Also, if you are travelling to a destination that is meant to be warm, if you have a lightweight jacket in your carry-on, there is no need to take a bigger one in your checked in bag, giving you more space for all your shopping on the return trip! - Vanity Kit
Shoutout to all the boys getting picked up by wives or girlfriends, this one’s for you!
This is a MUST! I can never travel without one, not even on a short domestic hop! Okay, maybe that is a bit extreme but I really do always carry a Vanity kit. I like having a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, band aid, eye mask, earplugs, lip-balm, deodorant and a travel size cologne just in case.
Sometimes when travelling, you just want to freshen up, even on short flights. I like freshening up before landing by brushing my teeth, spraying on some cologne and feeling clean. Especially when I know I am rushing for a connection, picking up a hired car or a family member is fetching me.
It’s always a pleasure to hug or kiss someone with a fresh breath and good cologne. - Neck Pillow
You just got back from a semester you want to forget, that poor neck of yours has spent hours on end leaning over a desk trying to study, let’s give it a rest and bring along a comfy neck pillow on your holiday. Those airline pillows never do justice in terms of support and are always too soft.
If you have the space, bring one along, it will elevate your journey’s comfort and give you some really comfortable and peaceful shut eye. - Travel Blanket
Those cold passengers, this is for you! Unless you’re travelling Business or First Class, nine times out of 10, those Economy blankets always feel really thin and too small for us. If you have the space and want to, carry your own compact blankets that opens up to cover you completely and is a little warmer.
For those travelling with their significant other, why not try one that’s double the size and maybe the two of you can have a snuggle together without having to use separate blankets. - Charger Cable
As mentioned in previous posts, Airlines are cutting away at the in flight entertainment screens and are instead having passengers use their personal devices to stream entertainment or play games.
With this in mind, it is in our best interest to be prepared for those batteries running low, that is why it is an absolute necessity to carry those chargers.
This becomes even more important when you’re landing in a place where you need your phone to grab an Uber or navigation in your rental.
Another thing to consider about your charger is the cable length, make sure to bring one long enough that you can move your phone around comfortably without stretching the cable or you having to move. - Charger US v EU adapter
If travelling between the USA and EU and many other countries, make sure to check if you will need a new charging adapter as these countries use different voltages!
It can be really expensive to buy this when arriving at your destination as airports and hotels charge ridiculous prices since they know tourists would have forgotten, therefore it is best to be prepared and save some money buying it before you leave! Plus it’s a great long term investment. Keep this in your carry-on as you may need to utilise it onboard or in your arrival airport. - Power Bank
So we have all the means to power our phones, all that is left is the power! And that is why we need to bring along a powerbank, this becomes even more useful when rushing from one location to another and your juice is running out. Trust me this item pays itself off in no time and over the years they have become so tiny and efficient, it is great! Make sure to grab one of these compact travel power banks! - Headphones / AirPods
Gonna need these when youre watching movies or listening to music on the flight. Sometimes I also use these as a noise canceller if there is a noisy passenger or baby nearby.
I personally prefer earphones as you can still sleep with them on, it is definitely a little more difficult doing it with headphones. - Laptop + Charger
This is up to your personal preference but I always so I can do some work and sometimes I prefer using my laptop for calls rather than my cell phone. It also comes in handy when you need to book flights or hotels while on your trip, I know with technology it can all be done from your phone but I sometimes prefer a bigger screen and just enjoy using my laptop, it’s relaxing in a weird way, hahaha! - Pen + Book
Always! And I mean ALWAYS carry a pen in an accessible space in your carry on. It always comes in handy in the moments you least expect it. I also like to carry a pencil with a notepad to do some sketching on the flight. It is one of my favorite time passers.
For the bookworms, you can replace this with a good book to read.
Plugging in my AirPods, staring out of the window and sketching, ahhhhh I can’t wait for my next trip! - Medications
Do you have any medical conditions which require you to take medicine daily? Do you get sick while flying? Do you get sick after eating certain foods? Are you a diabetic? If you are any of these or more, consider carrying some medicine with you in your carry on for emergency purposes. It’s hard to know when you might get food poisoning on a flight or in an airport and you want to be prepared for the worst so carry the basics. Not too much though, no need to pack in the entire pharmacy, just some pain meds for a possible headache, something for an upset tummy and any other possible medication you think you might need. - Luggage Tag
Tagging your bags is a good safety measure when in an airport in case you ever lose it. Make sure to include your name, email and phone number. This means if you should ever lose your bag, someone can help you find it by calling you or emailing you if your phone is unreachable. Some people go as far as putting their home address on their, personally I am not a fan as that is too much information for wandering eyes and minds and therefore I just stick to Email and Phone Number.
Beside being really useful, bag tags are just really cute and look great, you can personalize and really make it your own. - Water Bottle
Airport kiosk prices are always crazy and with all the walking, talking and moving around you are bound to get thirsty. Don’t waste money on a bottle of water from a store, carry a reusable bottle, just make sure it is empty before you go through TSA and once through, find a water fountain where you can fill it up and you’re good to go. This is also really handy on the flight because sometimes the crew are not so attentive or helpful and you may never get that cup of water from them, but you can always reach for your bottle. - Snacks
If the price of water is high, the price of snacks will be even worse. That’s why I recommend carrying a few from beforehand. Small packs of Oreos, Granola-Bars, Chocolate-Bars, bags of chips, gum, skittles and there is so much more out there.
Remember to try and take items that wont have such a strong smell that the oxygen masks will have to drop, this is just really inconsiderate to fellow passengers. Also be mindful and avoid taking foods that are really messy, keep it simple, clean, healthy and efficient.
I sometimes like buying food in the terminal before boarding the flight and eating it on board. The fast food places usually are not ridiculously expensive and as long as it isn’t messy or very smelly, I prefer it.
As we conclude our exploration of hand luggage essentials, let us reflect on the artistry of travel preparation.
With careful consideration and strategic packing, we transform the confines of our carry-ons into realms of comfort, style, and efficiency.
Armed with these indispensable items and a spirit of adventure, we embark on journeys both near and far, ready to embrace the wonders that await.
Until next time, fellow travelers, may your adventures be enriching, your flights be smooth, and your carry-ons be ever prepared for the odyssey ahead. Bon voyage!