Sharina Desai

In the past 4 months of my first semester of college, I’ve taken nearly 4 flights, traveling from Syracuse to Houston and back. I never realized how exhausting it was to sit on multiple planes just to get home. With each trip, I’ve learned how to pack more efficiently and what I need to bring to make my trips a little more bearable. I’ve made a list of things I believe are important to bring to the airport to help you feel relaxed and occupied.

1. A hardside spinner suitcase

Taking the time to invest in a suitcase that is durable, lightweight, and easy to move will make your trip ten times easier to handle. One of my favorite brands of suitcases is Ricardo Beverly Hills because I don’t have to bend and drag the suitcase with me everywhere I go and they come in nice colors.

2. Snacks

I usually get very bored sitting around in an airport, waiting for my flight to board. One of my favorite past times is to eat. I like to pack my backpack with snacks that are filling and healthy to keep myself energized. My personal favorite snacks to pack are pretzels, nuts, and granola bars. Make sure to also always keep a pack of gum in your backpack to chew on to prevent your ears from popping on the plane.

3. A portable charger

Although airports are filled with places to charge your phone, it’s still way more convenient to be able to move around with your devices while they’re still charging instead of having to wait until it’s done. Portable chargers are just very handy to have around, whether it’s at work, school, or the airport. They provide fast charging and have a long battery life, so you don’t have to charge it as often.

4. Movies or books

Downloading your favorite movies or tv shows is such an easy way to pass the time on a several-hour flight. If that’s not your style, try packing the book that you’ve been meaning to read. Crossword puzzles, sudoku books, brain games, and yes, coloring books are some of the items I like to pack to keep myself engaged and entertained.

5. A neck pillow

I love to sleep on the plane, mostly because I love to sleep. Investing in a neck pillow was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The pillow has prevented me from smashing my head onto the built-in tray and it’s stopped the stiffness in my neck that I would usually get from resting my head against my shoulder.

6. Hand Sanitizer and Anti-bacterial wipes

These are always very important to keep around, especially when you’re in crowded areas or touching things that have been touched before. It’s no myth that airports and airplanes are dirty. No matter how many times the airport staff might sanitize everything, it is always better to be safe and careful.