1. An airplane seat back organizer because those seat back pockets are NEVER as big as you need them to be. With this you can actually store your snacks, water bottle, and so much more without having to get up and get stuff out of the overhead throughout your flight. 

www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray tablecover in action. 

Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. 

My colleague Emma Lord owns and loves this: "I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!"

Promising review: "Out of all the travel accessories and/or items I have purchased to make traveling more comfortable this ranks up there as one of the best. The material is soft and not too thin or too thick for that matter. It stretched perfectly over the table without a lot of extra material hanging off the table yet it wasn't so tight that it looked like it would rip. When the table was up there was plenty of room in each of the pockets for my cell phone, gum, ear buds holder, and two tablets. I am so happy with this purchase and recommended it to all my family members." —Mking110

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

2. Lumify Eye Drops beloved by the masses who've tried other redness-reducing eye drops before. Yes, these are a bit pricier than other versions. But reviewers say it's totally worth it! Oh, and don't forget that it's also made to help relieve dry eyes. (Just because you TOOK a red eye doesn't mean that you have to put up with literal red eyes.) 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." —Angela Leonard

"Two drops in your eyes and all day, they look perfectly white and healthy. I would definitely buy these again." —Kelley

Get it from Amazon for$11.97. 

3. An electronics organizer with a place for just about every one of *your* and every member of your family's devices' corresponding cables so you don't get everything tangled up while trying to find your Kindle cord mid-flight. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Loved that each item had a spot and the chargers for each item wouldn’t be all tangled or knotted together when I arrived at my destination. Nothing was damaged even with my bags being tossed around by baggage handlers on several flights." —Rachel Grace

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in seven colors).

4. A pair of foot hammocks for you and your travel buddy so you can get as comfy as possible in your economy (or EVEN premium economy!) seat. Reviewers say using this helped alleviate foot and ankle swelling they normally experience during and after longer flights. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great purchase. My ankles always swell a little on long flights, but this little foot hammock made all the difference on my flight to and from the UK last month. The gentle rocking nature of the sling kept my feet gently moving, increasing my circulation. This is a must-have for long flights in coach or economy plus! It would work great on a long train or bus ride, too. Worth it!" —Amy L. Rowe

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three pack sizes). 

5. A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow because those tiny plane pillows never do the trick and we can say the same about the blankets. With this, you'll have options. Oh! And it clips onto your backpack or carry-on. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

BlueHills is a small biz specializing in travel and home items. 

Promising review: "I bought it to use it on my flights since I always like to cover my entire body with blankets. It was compact and lightweight- but perfectly warm for a long flight. No lint came off, even after repeated washes- and it's so soft that I am actually using it on my couch right now!" —Anthony Choi

Get it from Amazon for $29.49+ (available in 14 colors).

6. A HappyLuxe travel wrap you can use to guard against the cold on the plane or as a scarf to cover your shoulders when you're taking a macabre peek in the Cathedral of Otranto (look it up!) but it's definitely wear-as-little-clothing-as-possible weather outside. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I absolutely love this wrap!! It is the perfect weight and size for travel. It didn't leave my side on an 11-day backpack trip through Europe and was used as a scarf, blanket, towel, and wrap all through the trip. Fashionable enough to dress up a basic travel day outfit, warm enough to keep away a chill on a cooler night, and light enough to pack away small into a bag or tie around a purse strap. I can't say enough great things! I am buying these as gifts for everyone I know who travels." —Jenn

Get it from Amazon for $46+ (available in nine colors).

7. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount will help you watch what you want or take advantage of the movies available online for those budget airlines without TVs in the back of the seats. It'll work on the plane *or* while you wait to board. A three-hour flight without a seat TV should be illegal.

Amazon

Promising review: "I used it on a round trip. It is has a powerful and sturdy clip that will attach to almost anything. I didn’t have to attempt to balance it on the food tray or strain my neck. It remained at eye level and never attempted to sway or fall. I’d buy it again. Also I’d consider it as a stocking stuffer for a frequent traveler. This is definitely a thumbs-up!" —Kara

Get it from Amazon for $9.78+ (available in seven colors and in two packs). 

8. Plus an Airfly wireless transmitter can let you connect your AirPods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat...even without Bluetooth!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.

Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009. 

Promising review: "Just returned from a European vacation and this little device worked like a charm! The sound cancellation worked really well on that horribly long 14-hour flight and I could hear the movie perfectly. Just buy it, it's a must have (until airlines convert their stuff to Bluetooth, don't hold your breath)." —Just a Muggle Mom

"Someone sitting next to me on a flight had this product so I asked them about it and it was highly recommended so I bought it. I love being able to use my Blutooth Bose noise-cancelling headphones with the movies on board. The sound quality is 100 times better than the plug headphones that are required if you don’t have this product. I would definitely buy again!!" —Monica Buterbaugh

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three colors and four styles).

9. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm, a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product combines several products into one skincare step — especially great if you get suuuuper dry on flights. Reviewers use it on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. 

Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life-changing!!! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" —Kristy 

"This stuff makes my face feel so soft and has a nice scent. I use it every day and will buy it again when I run out!" —Cyndy1

Get it from Amazon for $21.86+(available in seven styles). 

10. Plus, The SAEM Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick is a cooling eye stick made with *actual* Icelandic glacial water to depuff your tired under eyes. Oh, and it just feels really, really refreshing. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love, love this product. I place it in the fridge. I travel a lot and I get jet lagged with under eye bags. As soon as I place this product on, my bags are gone. It’s a little miracle. Just ordered two more." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.90. 

11. A memory foam seat cushion with an ergonomic design and gel layer for cradling your behind while you're in your car or plane seat off to your next adventure. After all, you don't want a sore behind once you get to your destination. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Lots of reviewers who drive for a living rave about it. 

Promising review: "I got this for a return flight because I was sitting on a metal bar in the seat for five hours. I had it shipped to my hotel. It made a huge difference in sitting in my seat on the way home. I was comfortable and not grumpy." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three color combos).

12. A portable handheld fan for those moments when the breeze takes a break. Oh, and it's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of other uses for it. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action. 

I own this and use it ALL the time. It comes in handy in a variety of situations at home *and* while traveling — especially when you're sitting in a stuffy plane in Miami in July with the doors open, waiting for the pilot to board and take off. I def got some jealous side-eyes from other passengers as I kept myself cool with this. 

Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in four colors). 

13. Plus, a stroller fan with bendable foam legs for wrapping around a stroller, car seat, or pretty much anything to keep your lil' munchkin cool as a cucumber, even when it's a gazillion degrees outside.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "We bought this for a road trip with our little one, who is still rear facing — it was perfect! We knew the seat was warm from just driving around town and wanted to make sure it was comfortable for a long drive. It kept it cool, isn’t loud, and love that we could plug it in vs. only the battery. We use it regularly in town now, too." —K Maddock

Get it from Amazon for $23.69+ (available in three colors).

14. A travel scarf with hidden storage in it so you won't have to go digging in the overhead as soon as the pilot says it's OK to unbuckle your seatbelt. You can keep your wallet, phone, lip balm, and more stashed in this beaut. 

Amazon

Waypoint Goods is a small biz that specializes in travel accessories. 

Promising review: "Traveled around India and Nepal and found this scarf to be indispensable. It did 'double-duty' as a warm and attractive wardrobe addition as well as a handy, hidden place to carry my passport and money. Wear it with the zipper low, keeping the weight of the contents at the bottom, and adjust the 'drape' to conceal the fact that anything is in there. It was comfortable and very handy to get into. Good looking and high quality. I was surprised at the level of quality, and the zipper and stitching stayed completely intact." —avm

Get it from Amazon for $49.95+ (available in six styles).

15. Or a set of storage scrunchies to help keep your hair off your neck and your lip balm easily accessible throughout your flight. 

www.amazon.com

LOKI STASHED is a small biz specializing in these scrunchies. See them in action on TikTok here!

Promising review: "I use these every time I travel. Perfect for holding a key or some rolled-up bills for emergencies. Comfortable and reliable." —Poke-me-in-the-coconut

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six color combinations).

16. A bendy travel pillow can help you catch up on some sleep you sacrificed for that budget-friendly morning flight. Buy that window seat, bring this versatile pillow.

Amazon

Promising review: "I always disliked the neck pillows that I used to use while flying as didn’t help. The flexibility and ease of use is amazing and this not only helps my neck, but also lower back! I used it for an international flight and it made it much more comfortable. You can even use it alongside your back and the cover comes off to clean!" —Fred Paisley

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 13 colors).

17. Or an alternate Trtl travel pillow that, thanks to its scarf-like construction, you can easily to adjust to your perfect comfort level and tilt angle to get some Zzzzzs while someone else gets you to where you're going. 

Amazon

Ciera Velarde, a former editor here at BuzzFeed, loves this! She says: "I've used this for the past few years and swear by it! Before this, I always found traditional neck pillows uncomfortable and would end up ditching them halfway through the flight and getting frustrated. The Trtl pillow is adjustable — you wrap the pillow around your neck and secure it with Velcro, and if you find it's too loose, just make it a bit tighter! I've truly never slept better on a plane than with this pillow." 

Promising review: "I love this TRTL!! I first used it on a trip from Seattle to Buenos Aires and will now always use it. It made it possible for me to be comfortable on that long flight. I found it to be the best neck support in how it holds up my neck in a comfortable natural way. I love how I can use it on either side of my neck, and even in the front and back of my neck. I love how I can cover my face to just below my eyes if I want privacy. It is cozy, lightweight, durable and packs easily, or I can wrap it around my carry bag handle for quick transport. I bought one for a friend who took it on a Seattle to New York flight and she said it was a game changer for her as she was able to sleep for the first time while flying. Now I know that with my TRTL and Bose noise cancelling head phones, I can be cramped in a middle seat on a long flight and survive in relative comfort. Thank your TRTL!!! I just bought another one for a gift for my daughter. It is a well-designed product!" —Amis Balcomb

Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in four colors and in a breathable style).

18. And because you deserve another option: A memory-foam neck pillow that comes high enough on the sides so your neck isn't lolling about and thus waking you up from your mid-flight slumber. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Plush thick pillow that holds your head comfortably during a flight. It fit great around my next and there’s a mechanism to adjust the fit to how you prefer. Super portable since it comes in a nice small bag you can fold it and store in. Highly recommend." —L Caldwell

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five styles).

19. A set of affordable, highly popular wireless Bluetooth earbuds some reviewers compare to AirPods for significantly cheaper. They'll be perfect for listening to a podcast while you take a train ride to that cute little town you've been meaning to visit.

www.amazon.com

These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 14 hours of charge (with the earbuds able to play for four-plus hours with each full charge). 

Promising review: "The ear buds fit perfectly. I use them when I ride my motorcycle, workout, phone calls and when I travel. They have never fallen out of my ear. They are comfortable; I prefer them over my headset when I fly. The battery life is good for working out or a short ride. However, I take a spare headset for longer flights. I highly recommend these ear buds, especially if you've had issues finding comfortable a comfortable, affordable set." —vdubzis

Get it from Amazon $24.99+ (available in six colors and in two styles).

20. A pair of Mack's Earplugs that'll seal out noise on a plane, in a hotel room, or wherever else you need to get some sleep. 

Emma Lord/BuzzFeed

Check them out on TikTok here.

BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord swears by these and raves: "The moldable silicone of Mack's Earplugs contours easily to the shape of your ear to block out noise much more effectively than other foam or plastic varieties, and the noise reduction is so good that if I pair them with a white noise machine (or just like a white noise loop on Spotify) I genuinely don't hear noises from outside my room. 

I've also *loved* these for traveling — if you put these babies in on a plane not only does it help reduce some of the YIKES factor when the plane takes off (it's loud!!), but it cancels out the murmuring noises of passengers on the flight and makes it easier to get some shuteye." 

Promising review: "I've been purchasing Mack's earplugs for about eight years now as they help me sleep so much better at night (and are also super helpful on long plane trips). They're the best ones on the market and much larger with more comfort and coverage than ones in my local stores and pharmacies. Mack's are getting harder to find so I'm writing this in the hope that they stay in business." —Amazon Customer 

Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $10.98.

21. An *very popular* off-the-shoulder jumpsuit suited for just about any sightseeing needs. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

FYI, if you have Amazon Prime, you can give this a spin before you buy it!

Promising reviews: "This jumpsuit is cute and comfortable. I love it. It is very comfortable to wear on a road trip or for flying." —B-More Mom & Luvin' It

Get it from Amazon for $35.57+ (available in sizes S–3X and 31 colors/patterns). 

22. An inflatable foot rest you might have to buy several of so everyone in the family has one of their own. You can inflate it to three different heights!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Lifesaver! Made a huge difference in my comfort level. Hard to blow up and use while cramped in a middle seat. Was well worth the effort and intrusion on aisle and window passengers." —peace

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors and also in a two-pack). 

23. An inflatable wedge pillow if you prefer to lean on something as you sleep. This easily fits on your tray table and reviewers even say they used it upon arrival and their destination!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "We bought this for a flight from Atlanta to Paris. It worked great. One of the best things about it was that it can open up and be flat so if you have a window seat, you can lean it against the wall and over the arm rest to make it super comfortable to lean against the wall. On the other hand, if you have an aisle or dreaded middle seat, you can inflate and put it together for the support when leaning forward. Well worth it to get some good sleep on a longer plane flight!" —Darth Wookiee

Get it from Amazon for $24.99. 

24. A pair of compression socks because since you saw Karl and Frank from Succession snap on their own, you've thought "Hmm, maybe I should get some of those." 

www.amazon.com

Read more about compression socks for travel at Johns Hopkins and The Huffington Post.

Promising review: "These compression socks really helped me. No swelling of feet and legs on a flight from New York to Munich and onto Palermo. Amazing fit and not too thick. Really comfortable." —L. M. Morabito

Get them from Amazon for $14.60+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and in 13 colors).

And check out our full Physix Gear compression socks review here.

25. Or if you prefer ankle length, a pair of compression socks made to provide some sweet relief for folks who suffer from plantar fasciitis thanks to the great arch support. Let's be honest, basically any vacation entails quite a bit of walking. So these'll come in handy.

Amazon

Promising review: "I'm dealing with falling arches and one foot attempting to develop a heel spur. I had some travel coming up that was likely to involve a good bit of walking, so in addition to trying to make sure I had decent shoes, I thought some compression socks might be a nice addition to my travel bag. I was pleased to find this toe-less variety, as I'd heard of compression socks causing toe problems. I'm really happy to say the fit and comfort on these is perfect — in addition to being large, my feet also have pretty sensitive skin on top and these socks don't bother me even after several hours of wear. I've even slept wearing them with no irritation! They also definitely make my feet feel better; soon after I put them on, my aches and pains will fade off (not always completely but always noticeably!) and my feet are much happier. I was glad to have them on my trip, and I really enjoy wearing them around the house after a tiring day." —A. Phillips

"I try to walk at least four times a week, normally 3–4 miles per day. I suffer from plantar fasciitis often and need good support. These socks have great support and feel amazing. Will buy again when I need a new pair!" —mpm

Get them from Amazon for $10.16+ (available in four sizes and 13 colors).

26. A set of homeopathic jet lag pills made to help you fight off time zone changes and disrupted sleep schedules. Plus, you can actually sleep while taking these. I've taken them on a couple of red eyes and I think they help! 

Amazon

According to the instructions, you should take them at take-off and then every two hours and then again once you arrive to help with relaxation and combat sleepiness. 

Promising review: "I heard about this product from my cousin who used it for a trip Japan and it was very effective. I used it for a trip to Washington DC that had several stops and delays — total of 15 hours to get to my destination. I was comfortable upon arrival. The next morning I was ready for a work day." —ELEANORE

Get a pack of 32 pills from Amazon for $15.59.

27. Some no-tie elastic shoelaces you can add to your go-to sneakers so you can easily slip them on and off at security. And then when you're on the plane if you're a no-shoe person. But the laces won't look any different!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These things are great! Made taking my trainers off at airport security and during a long flight so much easier. Very comfortable too. Thinking about getting another pair for running!" —B. Borkent

Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 36 colors). 

28. Plus, a pair of Adidas Cloudfoam sneakers made to keep your old dogs from yelling as you make your way on charming cobblestone streets, hot amusement park pavement, or just about any other surface aside from hot lava. (Yes, shoes like these ARE cool. I saw a bunch of super stylish ppl wearing similar ones in Milan just a week ago!) 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Prime members: You can try before you buy!

Promising review: "I purchased these for a vacation and am so glad I did. I walked 12 miles in them on day one of our trip and my feet were tired but also comfortable! I did get a tiny blister on the top of my ankle where the tongue rubbed above my sock, but considering the amount of walking we did this is pretty darn good! They are stylish and cute and not too bubbly (I hate the new style where the sole of the shoe bubbles out around your foot). They are classic and so comfortable, easy to slip on and off at the airport, and super stylish!" —Alicia

Get them from Amazon for $55.27+ (available in women's sizes 5–10 and in nine colors).

29. A weighted sleep mask to help block out the reading light and/or sunlight from your neighbor's open airplane window shade while you catch up on some of that sleep you sacrificed to get the early flight. Oh, and it's weighted!

Amazon

Promising review: "Very comfortable, is not too tight on your head. I mostly use it when I have headaches and it helps to relieve the pressure. I now wear it to sleep and on long flights." —Amazon Customer

Get one from Amazon for $14.99. 

30. A wide-mouth water bottlecan pack flat *or* roll up super small when empty. Let's stay hydrated, shall we?

Amazon

Promising review: "These bottles work excellently when traveling internationally. Airline stewardesses were happy to fill them on the planes. While in Africa, we had an excellent way of carrying water. They are much more comfortable to carry than a bottle of water. They are cheaper to fill than buying bottled water. Zero complaints." —Ski

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 14 colors). 

31. And while we're on the subject of hydration, a set ofLiquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packets, an electrolyte drink mix infused with potassium and vitamin C you can mix into a bottle of water to help speed up your hydration. After all, guzzling water on a flight and then having to spend half the flight in the bathroom line is never fun. 

www.amazon.com

Psst — it's also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free! 

I always ALWAYS pack this stuff for trips. In Aprile, I visited Vegas for ~48 hours for an outdoor music festival. I drank one in the morning before boarding my flight, then once I got checked into my hotel, then the next morning before the music festival where I was outside and guzzling tall boys of beer. And I felt great when I woke up the next day! Drinking Liquid IV also meant I didn't have to guzzle plain water (and then stand in line for the bathroom a ton) to stay hydrated for the 12+-hour festival. 

Promising review: "This stuff seriously works. Took on a five-day cruise when we had the unlimited drink package, and these Liquid I.V.s saved my life several times. Wouldn’t have made it to dinner/gotten off the ship the next morning without them." —Laura Bales

Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $24+ (also available in sugar-free flavors). I'm also quite partial to the newer grapefruit flavor. 

32. A handbag organizer with LOTS of pockets to help you easily track down your ID, Kindle, lip balm, reading glasses, and so much more. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I have always purchased handbags with lots of pockets and sections because I hate having to dig around trying to find something in the gaping hole of purses with no sections. But I have passed up so many cute bags because of this, and I was frustrated with having to do so. I purchased this medium size organizer, and I couldn't be happier!! It is very well-made, and it has so many great pockets to organize everything I need. THE BEST PART is, I can easily lift it out of one purse and put it into another one, and I always know where everything can be found. I wish I had gotten one of these years ago. When I first ordered this organizer, I didn't realize it had two zipper compartments on each side, and I was tickled to discover even MORE storage!!! With all the fun colors and patterns, it was hard to select one, but I've always been partial to polka dots. I love it and can't imagine anyone not being has pleased with this as I am!" —Ronna

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in sizes S–L and in 27 colors).

33. A handmade leather cord organizer to keep your wired listening BFFs from getting tangled up in your pocket, making it so much easier to marathon that true-crime podcast your pal keeps recommending.

Amazon

Promising review: "No more tangled headphone cables! I bought a pair for my desk at home, and I'm purchasing another pair for my office. I love how neat and untangled my earbud cords are when using this organizer. It's leather, which I'm sure will last many, many years for such a great price." —Jane M

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in eight colors).

34. And a Samsonite wheeled carry-on bag small enough to qualify as a personal item on super strict airlines. It can fit underneath an airplane seat! You can avoid checking a bag, glide through security, *and* don't have to hurt your shoulder by carrying a duffel bag that'd also fit strict bag measurement policies. Take that, Spirit Airlines. (This'll pay for itself after a few trips.)

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Now you won't even have to pull your suitcase outta the overhead!

Promising review: "Great piece of luggage. I've been trying to 'one bag' with only a backpack that fits under the seat as a personal item on US domestic flights, but on occasion, I'll need to 'two bag' (still not checking any bags) with one personal item and one overhead. This Samsonite under seat carry-on can actually fit under the seat as well, but if I need a carry-on, I like having an easy time storing in / retrieving from the overhead bin next to those obnoxious or first-time-flyer idiots who bring a massively oversized carry-on (and how did they get past the flight attendants and the gate check'?) trying to cram their bag into the bin. It also fits into the older planes with tiny overhead compartments like the CRJ900. Definitely recommend." —Anonymous Reader

Get it from Amazon for $100.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.