Air travel can be unpredictable. From sudden flight delays to unexpected seat changes, uncomfortable cabins, and limited amenities, seasoned travelers know that being prepared is the key to surviving—and even enjoying—the journey. Whether you’re boarding a short-haul domestic flight or settling in for a 14-hour long-haul, what you carry in your hand luggage can significantly impact your comfort, convenience, and overall travel experience.

Frequent fliers, who have clocked countless hours in the skies, have developed their own trusted packing habits to make every trip smoother, safer, and more pleasant. Over time, they’ve learned which items are genuinely essential and which can be left behind.

The right carry-on essentials can help you stay relaxed, well-fed, entertained, and prepared for the unexpected—whether it's a missed connection, an in-flight entertainment failure, or simply the discomfort of sitting in the same seat for hours.

We spoke with experienced travelers, flight attendants, and aviation experts to create this practical guide. If you want to travel like a pro, here are 10 must-have items you should always pack in your carry-on.

1. Backup Power Source

A portable charger or power bank is indispensable for keeping your devices powered throughout your journey. With many airlines now offering digital boarding passes and in-flight entertainment via personal devices, running out of battery isn’t an option. Opt for a lightweight, high-capacity charger and remember to pack all necessary charging cables in a cable organizer to prevent tangles and lost time searching for cords.

2. Essential Medications

Always keep your medications in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and any medical devices you may need. Pack them in a clear, easily accessible pouch and bring extra in case of delays. A compact travel first-aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, and antiseptic wipes is also recommended for minor emergencies.

3. Glasses or Contact Lenses

Inflight air can dry out your eyes, so bring your glasses, extra contact lenses, and a small bottle of solution. If you rely on vision aids, pack a backup pair in case of loss or damage.

4. Lip Balm and Moisturizers

Cabin air is extremely dry, leading to chapped lips and parched skin. Bring a TSA-compliant lip balm and a small tube of moisturizer to stay comfortable. Consider packing facial wipes for a quick refresh during long-haul flights.

5. An Extra Layer of Clothing

Temperatures on planes can fluctuate, so pack a lightweight sweater, scarf, or jacket. Pro tip: Wear your bulkiest clothing (like a jacket or boots) on the plane to save space in your bag. This also helps if your destination has a different climate.

6. Noise-Cancelling Headphones or Earbuds

Block out engine noise and distractions with quality headphones. Frequent fliers also recommend a sleep mask and earplugs for added comfort, especially on overnight flights.

7. GPS Tracker for Luggage

A small GPS tracker in your bag lets you monitor its location in real time, providing peace of mind if you need to gate-check your carry-on or if you’re traveling with checked luggage.

8. TSA-Approved Toiletries Kit

Keep your liquids in a clear, quart-sized bag and follow the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces or less per container). Many hotels provide basic toiletries, so limit what you pack to essentials that are hard to replace at your destination.

9. Travel Comfort Accessories

A contoured sleep mask, inflatable neck pillow, and compression socks can make long flights more bearable. These small items help you rest, reduce swelling, and arrive refreshed.

10. Important Travel Documents and Pen

Frequent travelers always keep passports, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and any necessary visas easily accessible. A pen is also essential for filling out customs or immigration forms, especially when landing in countries that still require paperwork. Having these items within reach can save you valuable time during security checks and border controls.

Pro Packing Strategies from Frequent Fliers

Use Packing Cubes and Compression Bags

Packing cubes keep your bag organized and make it easy to find items quickly. Compression cubes save space and help fit more into your carry-on. Use one for clean clothes and another for dirty laundry to keep things tidy.

Master the Bundling and Rolling Techniques

Rolling clothes prevents wrinkles and maximizes space, while the bundling method is great for keeping items crease-free. Lay out larger items flat, place smaller items in the center, and wrap everything together.

Pack Only What You Need

Lay out everything you want to bring, then remove non-essentials. A flight attendant’s tip: “If you need it, pack it. If you just want it, leave it behind.” The 1-2-3-4-5-6 rule—one hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops, five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear—can simplify decisions for short and long trips alike.

Know Airline Restrictions

Always check your airline’s carry-on size and weight limits before packing. Exceeding them can mean extra fees or having to check your bag at the gate. Familiarize yourself with TSA rules to avoid surprises at security.

Keep In-Flight Essentials Accessible

Separate items you’ll need during the flight—like snacks, water bottle, headphones, and a book—into a small personal item or underseat bag for easy access.

Weigh and Test Your Bag

Make sure you can lift your carry-on into the overhead bin yourself and that it meets airline requirements. Overpacking can lead to repacking at the airport or unexpected fees.

Final Thoughts

Packing like a frequent flier means more than just what you bring—it’s how you organize, prioritize, and prepare for the unexpected. With these nine essentials and expert strategies, you’ll travel lighter, smarter, and more comfortably, no matter where your journey takes you.

Etihad Airways has achieved a historic milestone by carrying over 2 million passengers in a single month for the first time in its history, according to its August 2025 traffic statistics. This marks a 22 percent increase compared to August 2024, reflecting strong demand and efficient utilization of the airline’s expanding capacity.

In August alone, Etihad welcomed exactly 2.0 million guests, boosting its passenger load factor to 91 percent, up from 89 percent in the same month last year. This demonstrates the airline’s ability to fill seats effectively amid rising travel demand. Year-to-date, Etihad has carried 14.2 million passengers—a substantial 18 percent increase over the same period in 2024—with an average load factor of 88 percent.

Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves described August as a "landmark month," crediting the airline's success to the trust passengers place in its people and the exceptional service they provide daily. “This record performance, combined with 22 percent year-on-year growth and a 91 percent load factor, reflects the confidence travelers have in Etihad,” Neves said.

Supporting this growth is Etihad’s expanded operating fleet, which reached 112 aircraft, allowing the airline to serve 81 passenger destinations worldwide. Notably, August also saw the entry into service of Etihad’s new Airbus A321LR, a first for the region in bringing wide-body luxury features—such as First Class suites and lie-flat Business seats—to a narrow-body aircraft on medium-haul routes. This upgrade underscores Etihad's strategic focus on enhancing the passenger experience across its network.

The airline’s network continues to broaden with over 20 additional routes confirmed, as Etihad aims to connect more cities through its Abu Dhabi hub while promoting tourism and business in the emirate. Industry analysts see Etihad’s robust growth as a sign of resilience and expanding market share in a competitive Middle Eastern aviation landscape recovering from pandemic disruptions.

Etihad’s breakthrough August figures and year-to-date growth reflect strong travel demand recovery, fleet modernization, and product innovation that keeps pace with evolving passenger expectations. The airline’s success also exemplifies the region’s ongoing recovery as it capitalizes on its strategic geographic position linking multiple continents.

Pakistani low-cost carrier Fly Jinnah has launched direct non-stop flights between Dubai and Lahore, with operations commencing on October 29, 2025. The new service will operate twice weekly, every Wednesday and Sunday, connecting Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore with Dubai International Airport. This route makes Dubai the second UAE destination served by Fly Jinnah from Lahore, alongside Sharjah, offering travelers enhanced connectivity to two major UAE cities.

Fly Jinnah, a joint venture between Pakistan’s Lakson Group and the UAE’s Air Arabia Group, operates a modern fleet of six Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline emphasizes comfort and value, providing passengers with spacious economy-class legroom, an onboard menu, extra legroom seating options, free in-flight streaming through its “SkyTime” entertainment service, and a loyalty program called "Air Rewards" which allows passengers to earn and redeem points.

Besides the Dubai and Sharjah services, Fly Jinnah’s international network includes direct flights from Lahore to key Saudi Arabian cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, as well as connections to Bahrain. This expanding network places Fly Jinnah as a growing competitor in the region’s low-cost carrier market, catering primarily to the Pakistani diaspora and business travelers who seek affordable and reliable travel options between Pakistan and the Middle East.

The twice-weekly Dubai flights open new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Pakistan and the UAE. Bookings for these flights are available via Fly Jinnah’s official website, call centers, and authorized travel agencies, reinforcing the airline’s goal to facilitate smooth and accessible travel for its passengers.

Overall, Fly Jinnah’s launch of Dubai-Lahore flights complements its robust international route portfolio and demonstrates the airline’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the Gulf region while maintaining strong service standards and affordable pricing for travelers

American Airlines has disbursed $32 million in boarding pay to flight attendants between April and August 2025, marking a significant shift in how the Fort Worth-based carrier compensates its crew for ground duties. This new pay policy addresses long-standing inequities in flight attendant compensation by recognizing the value of time spent during boarding—a historically unpaid, yet highly demanding, part of their workday.

Traditionally, U.S. airlines, including American, only paid flight attendants for time spent in the air. Ground activities such as boarding, deplaning, and waiting between flights—often referred to as “sits”—were unpaid, creating financial challenges especially for junior staff handling multiple short-haul flights daily. To offset this, airlines increased base hourly rates, benefiting senior crew members who flew extended international routes, while newer attendants faced fragmented schedules and uncovered ground duties.

The new boarding pay policy at American Airlines pays flight attendants at 50% of their regular hourly flight rate for the time spent boarding passengers, starting from gate arrival until aircraft pushback. This change particularly benefits junior crew members with lower seniority who typically work short domestic segments. According to the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the boarding phase is among the most stressful and busiest times for crew, involving coordination, passenger interaction, and safety checks.

Industry context shows that American Airlines is part of a growing trend toward equitable ground compensation. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and regional carrier SkyWest have also introduced boarding pay, reflecting a broader shift in the U.S. aviation sector to better align compensation with actual work performed. APFA has praised these moves but continues to push for more comprehensive pay reforms that include all ground duties such as deplaning, layovers, and airport tasks.

In addition to boarding pay, American Airlines and the APFA recently implemented a new rule addressing prolonged “sits”—periods on the ground exceeding two and a half hours without flying. Under the agreement, flight attendants earn pay for extended waits at a rate of one minute for every two minutes of additional ground time. Between April and May 2025, this provision compensated 18,000 attendants, offering critical financial relief and discouraging airline scheduling practices that could cause fatigue and inefficiency.

Labor experts suggest that while boarding pay increases operational costs, it also improves crew morale, motivation, and potentially enhances service quality during peak boarding periods. American Airlines benefits from a more engaged workforce and improved retention, particularly among newer employees. However, ongoing negotiations face challenges as airlines seek to balance these costs with potential adjustments to flying pay rates, which has raised concern among senior long-haul crew members worried about income loss.

Looking ahead, APFA advocates for extending paid compensation across all ground activities to fully acknowledge flight attendants’ comprehensive work efforts. Other carriers and unions are closely watching American Airlines’ experience as boarding pay may set a new industry standard for fairer, more transparent crew compensation in U.S. aviation.

This recent policy and union contract progress underline important steps toward improving working conditions and financial fairness for flight attendants amid increasing operational demands.

Etihad Airways has achieved a historic milestone in August 2025 by carrying more than 2 million passengers in a single month for the first time ever, marking a 22% year-on-year increase compared to August 2024. The airline reported a passenger load factor of 91%, up from 89% last year, underscoring strong demand and efficient use of capacity.

Etihad’s operating fleet expanded to 112 aircraft, serving 81 passenger destinations, with the introduction of the new Airbus A321LR that brings First Class suites and lie-flat Business seats to narrow-body medium-haul routes for the first time in the region. Year-to-date, the airline has carried 14.2 million passengers, an 18% rise from the same period in 2024, maintaining an 88% average load factor.

On the financial front, Etihad reported its strongest-ever half-year performance for the first six months of 2025. Profit after tax surged by 32% to AED 1.1 billion (USD 306 million) compared to the previous year, driven by robust demand, operational productivity, and improved yields in both passenger and cargo sectors.

Total revenue climbed 16% year-on-year, with passenger and cargo revenues growing 16% and 9%, respectively. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose 24% to AED 2.7 billion (USD 739 million), with the EBITDA margin improving to 20%, up one percentage point from 2024.

Etihad carried 10.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 17% increase year-on-year, supported by a 14% rise in available seat kilometres (ASK) and an improved average load factor of 87%. In July, the airline surpassed the milestone of 20 million passengers over the previous 12 months, doubling its 2022 total and confirming its status as the fastest-growing airline in the region.

Fleet expansion continues with the delivery of its sixth Airbus A350, the return of a seventh A380, and a landmark order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft, reflecting strong long-term growth ambitions. July saw Etihad add five new jets including its first A321LR, marking the highest number of aircraft deliveries ever received in one month.

As of mid-2025, Etihad serves nearly 90 destinations worldwide, with 27 new routes launched or announced this year alone. This growth enhances Abu Dhabi’s position as a major global hub, increasing connectivity and attracting millions of visitors. Customer satisfaction also improved across airport services, onboard experience, and digital platforms, with the airline’s First Class Net Promoter Score consistently high at 80—among the best in the industry—while maintaining stable unit costs despite service upgrades.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that this record-breaking month and half-year reflect the trust travelers place in Etihad’s people and their commitment to delivering extraordinary service. The airline's strategy focuses on sustainable expansion, investing in premium experiences, and connecting more travelers through Abu Dhabi, positioning the emirate as a vibrant destination for global visitors.

Additionally, Etihad hired over 1,700 new employees in the first half of 2025, including more than 100 pilots and 1,000 cabin crew, supporting its rapid growth and operational excellence.

These results mark a new era of growth, investment, and service leadership for Etihad Airways as it continues to set new standards in aviation, fueled by strategic fleet expansion, network growth, and a superb customer experience.

Emirates has once again strengthened its status as a global aviation leader after winning two prestigious accolades at the 2026 Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Global Passenger Choice Awards. The Dubai-based carrier was honored with the titles of  World Class Airline 2026 and Best Global Entertainment, reflecting its continuous efforts to deliver exceptional customer service, cutting-edge products, and innovative passenger experiences across its network.

The results were announced during the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO held in Long Beach, California, one of the airline industry’s most anticipated annual gatherings.

The World Class Airline recognition is considered one of the highest distinctions in commercial aviation, reserved for airlines that excel in areas such as passenger safety, sustainability, health and well-being measures, service consistency, and global operations. The award is based on a comprehensive evaluation conducted by industry experts in collaboration with Yates and Partners, as well as verified passenger feedback collected through professional auditing of traveler reviews. This recognition places Emirates among the top global carriers that set benchmarks for excellence in airline standards.

In addition, Emirates’ victory in the category of Best Global Entertainment further underscores its long dominance in inflight entertainment. The airline’s award-winning ice system, regarded as one of the most advanced in the world, offers more than 6,500 channels of movies, TV shows, documentaries, music, podcasts, games, and even live sports broadcasts.

Available in multiple languages and updated regularly, the entertainment system has become a defining feature of the Emirates travel experience and a major differentiator for the brand. Passengers also benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity onboard, allowing them to stay connected throughout their journey, a feature increasingly demanded by today’s travelers.

The APEX Global Passenger Choice Awards are especially noteworthy in the aviation industry as they are based on real passenger experiences and independently audited evaluations rather than solely subjective jury decisions. Millions of travelers worldwide share ratings on nearly 600 airlines each year through TripIt®, feeding into the data that determines winners.

This combination of passenger feedback and independent verification ensures that the accolades reflect genuinely outstanding performance and consistency in airline operations.

For Emirates, these awards come at a time when the airline is actively expanding and modernizing its fleet while also upgrading its services in line with evolving customer expectations. Over the past year, Emirates has introduced retrofitted aircraft with refreshed cabins, including its latest Premium Economy class, offering a new level of comfort.

The airline has also expanded its culinary offerings, elevated beverage services across cabins, redesigned lounges, and strengthened its renowned multicultural crew training programs to deliver more personalized care on board.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, welcomed the honors, describing them as a testament to the carrier’s unwavering focus on delivering an unmatched customer journey from ground to sky. He highlighted the airline’s commitment not only to luxury and service innovation but also to sustainable aviation, noting Emirates’ steps toward investing in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, testing alternative fuels, and integrating environmentally conscious features in its products and ground operations.

The recognition also positions Emirates strongly against its global competitors, such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, all of which are known for high service standards and premium offerings. By maintaining excellence in both overall travel experience and in-flight entertainment, Emirates consolidates its place as a benchmark airline for premium international travelers seeking comfort, reliability, and consistency.

Looking ahead, Emirates will continue to enhance its global connectivity as it expands into new destinations throughout 2026, with routes planned in markets across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The airline is also preparing to welcome next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-9, both of which will introduce new levels of efficiency and customer experience to its long-haul journeys. These developments are expected to further strengthen Emirates’ position as a leader in passenger satisfaction and an airline that continuously invests in the future of travel.