Flight Attendants Share Their Go-to Travel Gear

Given just how many miles they log in the air day after day, flight attendants are the undisputed experts when it comes to travel gear expertise. So we listen up when they share their favorite products for a day in the life on the job. 

But we’re equally interested to know what keeps them going when they’re not at work, rather traveling off-duty in between flights with the rest of us civilians. Here, flight attendants have shared their must-haves for their off-duty travels with Travel + Leisure, including everything from a genius tote bag to tech must-haves to beach sandals and more. Conveniently, these flight attendant-loved products are all offered on Amazon right now, and available with fast, free shipping so you can stock up like the pros ahead of your next trip.

Aloha Collection Tote

“This company was actually started by a flight attendant,” notes Southern California-based flight attendant Hannah Bickert — so you know it has a smart design. “The super-cute waterproof bags and pouches are incredibly packable and designed to contain your wet swimsuit so you can take one last dip in the pool or quick surf before your flight and not have to wait for it to dry,” she says, calling them great for poolside phones or electronics that you don’t want to risk getting wet. “They’re also durable and washable!” Each features an interior zip pocket for organization plus an outside zipper pocket for small essentials. And they’re available in a range of 24 patterns.

TKEES Women’s Serena Slide Sandal

These simple flat sandals are ultra-streamlined and lightweight (perfect for slipping into a tote), with a stylish, goes-with-everything look. The black slide features five parallel bands that form a single strap that encircles the base of the toes. “Packing light is my forté, so I love a basic slide that can be for walking around town, grabbing brunch, or dressing up for the evening,” Bickert says — and this versatile, compact slide is her top pick.

Boodlab Sleep Headphones

Taylor Swift may think jet lag is a choice. But most mere mortals — even flight attendants — do experience it and look for ways to combat it whether they’re working or traveling off duty. “Being a flight attendant means crazy hours and sometimes some serious jet lag,” says San Francisco-based flight attendant TJ Kizuka. So when off duty, he says, “I pop on my Bluetooth sleep mask and listen to sounds of the ocean to get some much-needed relaxation.”

Amazon Echo Show 5

“Traveling all around the world does have its perks — flight attendants have lots of stories to tell and even more pictures to share,” Kizuka says. “I love my Amazon Echo because not only can I check on my apartment when I’m away, [but] I can also share pictures from my latest adventures when I am home.” The latest model of Echo, this one has deeper bass and better voice clarity, an additional mic for a faster Alexa response, a faster processor, and a better screen for nighttime viewing. 

Elefor Massage Gun

“Living in a household of flight attendants, this is a popular thing to have on hand,” Kizuka says. “Pushing heavy beverage carts and traversing across airports with heavy luggage can put a lot of stress on your body, and this massage gun helps with those flight attendant-related aches and pains.” This affordable massage gun has 10 different massage heads and a powerful motor that can bring up to 3,200 strikes per minute, and at 8 inches long and 1.8 pounds, it’s packable for working out the kinks that travel invariably triggers whether on the job or off duty.

Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is a must-have for travel — not to mention everyday use — to support both hydration and sustainability. This one comes in 22 color combinations that Bickert calls “darling,” and she loves that it has both a straw for sipping and an opening for gulping on the go. 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Dehydrating plane air is a major concern for flight attendants whether they’re on the clock or off-duty traveling. And this leave-on lip mask works while you sleep to banish chafing and maximize hydration. The formulation includes vitamin C, a berry mix complex rich in antioxidants, plus coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter for major moisture. “Replenishing moisture is my No. 1 goal with beauty in the sky, and this lip sleeping mask is a favorite,” Bickert says. “Waking up to hydrated lips is a luxury.”

Coslus Electric Face Scrubber

“You would be surprised how a pressurized airplane cabin can wreak havoc on your skin,” Kizuka says. To keep mine fresh and blemish-free when I’m off duty, I use my battery-powered facial cleansing brush to exfoliate and give my skin some extra TLC.” This popular version has more than 10,000 Amazon ratings and comes with seven brush heads for a thoroughly clean and exfoliated routine. 

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Bickert swears by this fan-favorite hair product for effortlessly zhushing up her look amid off-duty travels (and on-duty trips, too). “This dry shampoo meets texture spray is essential for a midday refresh,” she says. The formulation is invisible, and at 2.2 ounces, the travel-size version easily clears TSA restrictions.

Lume Acidified Deodorant Wipes (Pack of 3)

Travel can be taxing and unglamorous, but ​​these deodorant wipes help forgive a lot: They’re clinically proven to control body odor for 24 hours. And, developed by a gynecologist, they’re aluminum-free, hypoallergenic, and safe for any odor-prone areas. “Throw these in your bag and you can seamlessly transition from a busy flight to the summer heat and on to dinner or a night out without skipping a beat,” Bickert says. This ample set comes with three 45-wipe packs.

Touchland Glow Mist Hand Sanitizer

Bickert explains that all flight attendants have hand sanitizer in their aprons to keep germs at bay while at work — and they stay stocked up for off-duty travels, too. Bickert says, “there’s no going back” after she tried this elevated version of a compact hand sanitizer spray, which both “sanitizes and revitalizes” in heavenly scents. 

​​St.Tropez Gradual Tan Firming Lotion

Bickert says this lotion keeps her glowing look “alive and well in the most natural-looking way.” Plus, it smells great and feels good on: “I love anything with firming properties at this stage of life,” she says as an on-the-go mom of three small kids. To use it, apply daily or as desired in place of regular body moisturizer. (Just don’t forget to wash your hands after use.) 

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