15 Genius Packing Tips From A Flight Attendant
Whether you are going on a business, a frequent traveler, or this is your first ever air travel, these tips and tricks will relieve you of stress in the process. Because let’s face it, packing sucks!
Packing Tips
Make a Packing List
Making a list is the best way to stay organized and stress-free during packing. The main list I create is for my toiletries. I usually start my list by thinking from my hair down. This helps me ensure I put everything I need on the list. I start with my hair (shampoo/conditioner etc), my eyes (contacts, eyedrops, etc), my face (skincare products), and so on. I usually don’t make a list of clothes because that just seems like a hassle in itself.
Always Pack a Carry On
This is a little dramatic because sometimes I don’t even follow this tip. However, it is important to know that if you can get everything into a carry-on DO IT! It has been a while since I have checked a bag and here’s why: I have heard horror stories of bags getting lost and never found, waiting for bags at your destination can take forever, and checking a bag usually means you are overpacking anyways. If you do bring a carry-on, I suggest a hard case that doesn’t extend or a duffle bag. This ensures you are abiding by the carry-on policy for your airline. There have been so many times where I have seen gate agents ask passengers to put their suitcase in the sizer and if it doesn’t fit it has to get checked to your final destination (and usually it doesn’t fit)! I suggest the Monos Carry-On Pro Plus suitcase or the beis suitcase, both are great and fit a TON. I use it for work and leisure travel and never have a problem with its size! With budget airlines do note that there usually is an extra fee to bring even a carry-on on, just remember to look at all the information from your specific airline.
Monos Carry on with front pocket
Beis Carry On
If You Have to Check Your Bag
There are going to be times when you just can’t fit everything in a carry-on. If that is the case here are some suggestions for checking your bag. If you download the app for your airline usually they have a section where you can “track your bags”. All you usually need is your name and confirmation number and you will be able to see when your bag is on the plane and when it is offloaded. Also, I have been told by a grounds crew agent that hard shell bags are the worst type of bags to check. This is because their hard exterior makes them a perfect candidate for sliding right off the luggage racks that the grounds crew use to transport luggage from one plane to the next or to baggage claim. Aka if it slides off, it is getting lost at least for a few hours (unless someone notices it but I doubt it). There are many restrictions with checking a back and usually very strict weight limits. Don’t go over the weight limit because you will have a hefty fine. Also lastly, a lot of airlines check bags at the gate for FREE. So if you decided you can’t do the carry-on anymore, the gate agents, I’m sure, will be happy to check it to your final destination!
Roll Don’t Fold
It took me 5 years of being a flight attendant to realize I was packing my whole life completely wrong. If you take anything away from this post it is to ROLL your clothes. The military has been rolling their clothes for ages and it is a proven technique for not only fitting more but keeping clothes wrinkle-free. I roll my clothes because I can legitimately fit double the amount more than I normally would. Maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, but I can definitely fit more rolling. Plus, no matter what I do, I am always an over-packer.
Bring a Personal Item that Can Fit A Lot
Most airlines allow for one personal item and one suitcase/duffle bag. The best way to pack as much as possible without having to check a bag is to have a personal item that is just big enough to fit everything you need but small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. I have tried so many personal items and the only one that has been proven on multiple occasions to get the job done is the Beis Weekender Mini Bag. I usually end up having extra space with this bag and it definitely fits under the seat! If you don’t need as big of a personal item and are needing more for your camera equipment, I would suggest the travel backpack below from Amazon. Another favorite of mine. It fits everything from my camera, drone, and my go pro!
Mini Weekender
The perfect photography travel bag
Use Packing Cubes to Stay Organized
I don’t use packing cubes often but they do come in handy when you are going on a long trip and need to stay organized. The only time I use them is when I go backpacking because they fit great in a backpacking backpack. Below are some from Amazon that I love. Some people also use compression bags that vacuum seal the clothes, allowing for them to become very slim which makes it easier to fit more clothes. My only negative remark on these is that they definitely don’t keep your clothes wrinkle-free.
Packing Cubes
Compression Bags
Wear Any Bulky Items
Your bulkiest items are going to take up the most crucial space in your suitcase so always wear them! If you pack them it will only leave less space for things you can’t wear like your toiletries. If you are going on a cold winter vacation, wear your winter jacket.. don’t pack it!
Never Pack Your Important Items
Even if you are only packing a carry-on it is always a good idea to put your important items in your personal bag. There is always a chance that your bag could get checked last minute at the gate and you definitely don’t want your important things (medicine, passport, etc) to get lost. When I am going on an international travel trip, I even use the neck wallet and passport holder to keep everything secure around my neck and not worry while I am sleeping that anything will be taken. It is a good idea to have it and is a recommended item by many travel experts.
Know the 3-1-1 Rule and Liquid Restrictions for the Country You Are Traveling to
The 3-1-1 rule is TSA’s rule on bringing liquids in your carry-on. If you are checking your bag you can put full-sized liquids in that bag being checked. However, a carry-on must abide by the liquid restrictions enforced by TSA. You can only bring liquids through security if they are 3.4 ounces or less and if they all fit into a quart-sized resealable bag (a sandwich-size zip-block bag). Keep these liquids somewhere easily accessible as they will have to come out during security. It is also important to know that the liquid restrictions in other countries usually follow the 3-1-1 rule but are a lot stricter when it comes to fitting everything in the quart-sized bag. It is important to make sure you are following the rules ahead of time to make for a fluid security check. I would suggest investing in either of the below products, they are incredible for putting your liquids in. Let’s face it, if you are using high-quality liquid products, they usually don’t come in a travel form.
the best perfume bottles
Bring a Blanket, Scarf, Sweatshirt
Planes are ALWAYS cold. I first hand know that they are freezing. I commonly get asked if we have any blankets and unfortunately we don’t! For domestic we don’t get catered and on long-haul flights, we don’t get catered for any extras. My best advice for you is to purchase yourself a pillow/blanket as featured below. It is probably the best invention ever because it easily attaches to your suitcases, is a neck pillow (basically), but can also be a blanket if you are extra cold. I bring it with me on every flight I work because even though I am not sleeping, you never know when you will be cold! Other options people often bring is an extra sweatshirt or even a scarf.
Always Bring a Black Dress, Black Sandals, or Black Boots
It is not because you are going to a funeral but rather black matches and go with everything. Black you can dress up or dress down, making it very versatile. I have this one black dress that always ends up in my bag just because it is a dress I can wear whenever. The black sandals I have are the Tory Burch flip-flops that can definitely be used during the day but also can be used to dress up at night. When it’s winter you can never go wrong with a pair of black-heeled boots that go with daytime outfits as well as nighttime ones.
Boots From Amazon I don't go on winter trips without
Tory Burch flip-flops
Put a Change of Clothes in Your Personal Item or Hand Luggage
If you are checking your bag this is important in case your bag gets lost. It is also important in case you have to check your bag last minute during boarding. And lastly, it is nice to have a change of clothes easily accessible if you get to your destination and your room isn’t ready. For example, if I am going to a warm weather destination with a pool, I will pack a bathing suit and coverup and lay by the pool while I wait. It makes it much easier to change rather than rummaging through your entire suitcase for a bathing suit in the lobby bathroom.
Bring a First Aid Kit/Medical Supplies
A first aid kit might be a little extra but especially if you are traveling kids I would highly suggest this. I always bring Neosporin, bandaids, and extra medicine in case I get sick.
Always Bring Layers for Your Clothes
I went on my first backpacking trip through Europe during the summer and didn’t bring a pair of jeans. I didn’t think it would be cold enough that I would need jeans, it was summer! Well, my first destination was Copenhagen and I realized it actually wasn’t really summer weather yet. The first thing I purchased there was a pair of jeans, and although I still love the pair, it wasted extra time and money that could have been avoided if I just packed jeans. With that being said, even in the summer I always bring a sweatshirt or sweater.. YOU NEVER KNOW!
Bring Mini Hair Tools
I actually love my mini curling iron because it packs so efficiently and also works super well! I also have the mini wet brush that I use as a regular brush. I would suggest anything that you are bringing that is “full-sized” to see if you can purchase a mini version. A full-sized curling iron can take up a lot more crucial space than one would think. To fit more in your suitcase, it is smart to get mini versions!
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