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# 16 Plane Problem-Solvers You’ll Want to Keep Shoved In Your Personal Item
Yes, it’s worth the space to pack *two* kinds of earplugs for your trip. Here are some handy travel essentials that will make your next flight more comfortable and convenient.
### 1. Airplane Pocket Tray Cover
Make the most of your space because those seat back pockets are NEVER as big as you need them to be. This tray cover lets you store snacks, a water bottle, and more without getting up to retrieve stuff from the overhead bin during your flight.
> *Airplane Pockets* is a small business specializing in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
My colleague Emma Lord swears by it:
> “I used this on a round trip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four different tray tables I used and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end easily tucked into the seat’s built-in sleeve for takeoff and when other passengers needed to pass by me in my aisle seat. Usually, I get frustrated rooting around the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!”
**Promising review:**
“Very useful, especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage for water bottles, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, and headphones. I didn’t have to access my carry-on.” —JJ
[Get it from Amazon for $29.99](#)
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### 2. 2-in-1 Nausea Relief Inhaler
Slip this into your coat or bag pocket in case you start feeling woozy. Users say it helps with random nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and general ickiness. Inhale or rub it on your nose tip to feel better quickly.
**Promising review:**
“Took this on my first cruise. Anytime I felt woozy, I reached for it. The deep breathing and calming essential oil smell helped a lot. Worked for me!” —Willy&Lilly
[Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in packs of four)](#)
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### 3. AirFly Wireless Transmitter
Connect your AirPods or any wireless headphones to your airplane seat—even without Bluetooth!
Chelsea Stuart shares:
> “I splurged on AirPod Maxes and wanted to use them on plane rides. The plane’s audio system has horrible sound and doesn’t fit my ears well. This AirFly works perfectly.”
Includes USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and manual.
Twelve South has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009.
**Promising review:**
“I was reluctant to buy AirFly after reading reviews but so glad I did! It worked perfectly on the plane and in the car where I had no aux cable.” —Yamile Cardozo
[Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in eight styles and two colors)](#)
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### 4. Inflatable Travel Pillow with Chin Strap
This pillow can be completely flattened when deflated for easy packing inside your backpack’s laptop sleeve. Ideal for better sleep on flights.
Cabeau specializes in travel accessories. Unlike bulky marshmallow-like pillows, this inflates with about four puffs and deflates easily once the seatbelt sign goes off.
I’ve used this on long international flights and slept HARD, feeling refreshed on landing. For packing, I now put it flat inside my backpack’s laptop pocket—it’s the most compact way.
[Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors)](#)
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### 5. 3-in-1 Charging Cord
Charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once using a single plug at your seat. Handy during flights and at your destination!
**Promising review:**
“Perfect for traveling and keeps you from having too many cords. My husband liked it so much he kept it! Great value.” —Marsha
[Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors and two lengths)](#)
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### 6. Cute Snack Pouch with Stoney Clover Lane Vibes
Pack your own snacks and electrolyte drink packets so you don’t have to spend extra money buying airport snacks. Being clear, it makes spotting your favorite snacks quick and easy.
Sage Nation is a small business specializing in quirky organizational pouches.
**Promising review:**
“Lettering is spot on! Love the colors, and the clear bag makes it easy for kids to see their options. Quality materials and construction.” —Lisa Stanko
[Get it from Amazon for $19.99](#)
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### 7. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Packets
These electrolyte drink mixes contain potassium and vitamin C to help speed hydration without constant bathroom trips. Ideal to slip into your personal item.
It is gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!
**Promising review:**
“This stuff seriously works. Took it on a five-day cruise with unlimited drinks, and these saved my life several times. Wouldn’t have made it to dinner or off the ship without them.” —Laura Bales
[Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 18 flavors, including sugar-free)](#)
*I’m partial to the new grapefruit flavor!*
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### 8. Lumify Eye Drops
These redness-reducing drops are highly recommended for dry eyes and relieve redness without masking symptoms of serious conditions.
Learn about eye drops at Cleveland Clinic. Note: consult your eye doctor before use, and avoid redness drops if looking specifically for dry eye relief (Mayo Clinic).
**Promising reviews:**
“I have a big blood vessel spot and tried everything. Lumify made my eyes look great—no darkness or redness.” —Angela Leonard
“Two drops and my eyes look perfectly white and healthy all day. I would buy again.” —Kelley
[Get it from Amazon for $11.93](#)
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### 9. Compact Eight-Compartment Pill Organizer
Great for headaches or when local food doesn’t agree with you. This organizer is travel-friendly and easy to manage.
**Promising review:**
“My husband and I travel a lot and take many prescriptions. This organizer labeled compartments made meds accessible and hassle-free. Highly recommend for travelers.” —Jacqueline
[Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.97](#)
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### 10. I Dew Care “Tap Secret” Mattifying Powder Shampoo
Tackle greasy roots without aerosols or benzene. Perfect for refreshing hair on red-eye flights.
**Promising review:**
“Easy to use on the go, TSA friendly. Pat on, rub in, and no white residue even on black hair. Good volume and oil absorption. Pricey but lasts longer than expected.” —Teresa
[Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in five colors/styles)](#)
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### 11. Weighted Sleep Mask
Blocks out reading light or sunlight from airplane windows to help you catch much-needed sleep. The weighted design adds comfort.
**Promising review:**
“As a flight attendant with irregular sleep schedules, this is the most comfortable eye mask I’ve tried. No Velcro straps, great for back sleepers sensitive to mask thickness.” —SW
[Get one from Amazon for $14.99](#)
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### 12. Hands-Free (Rotating!) Phone Mount
Watch movies or shows on your phone comfortably on planes without seat-back TVs or while waiting to board.
Perilogics is a small business focused on tech travel accessories.
**Promising review:**
“A must-have! I fly Southwest regularly and they offer in-flight entertainment on your device. This mount keeps the phone at eye level, hands-free, and lets me decide if the tray table stays up or down.” —Amazon Customer
[Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three colors)](#)
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### 13. Mack’s Earplugs
Seal out noise on planes, hotel rooms, or anywhere you need sleep.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed swears by them:
> “Moldable silicone contours your ear for better noise reduction than foam/plastic ones. Paired with a white noise loop, I don’t hear external noise. Great for takeoff noise and canceling cabin murmurs.”
**Promising review:**
“I’ve bought Mack’s earplugs for eight years—they help me sleep better at night and during long flights. They’re the best on the market and larger/more comfortable than others.” —Amazon Customer
[Get 12 pairs from Amazon for $12.99](#)
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### 14. Silicone EarPlanes for Ear Pressure Relief
If you get ear pain from elevation changes, these twist-on earplugs relieve pressure during takeoff and landing.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed says:
“I wore these for takeoff on a Newark > Edinburgh red-eye and had zero ear pain. I switch to Mack’s Earplugs once at cruising altitude for noise cancellation. Not noise-canceling but worth the space.”
**Promising review:**
“This product changed my life. I travel frequently and used to have painful clogged ears after flights. Using these before takeoff and landing made flights pain-free. I keep them in the entire flight.” —Thomasina
[Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.85](#)
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### 15. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm
A TikTok-famous Korean beauty product that combines several skincare steps. Great for combating dryness on flights.
Reviewers use it on face, lips, eyes, and neck to reduce fine lines and add a glow, thanks to salmon complex and collagen.
**Promising reviews:**
“Skeptical at first, but this is life-changing! My skin felt hydrated and plumped within minutes, very light with no greasy feel. Love that it works on eyes, lips, and wrinkles!” —Kristy
“Makes my face so soft with a nice scent. I use it daily and will repurchase.” —Cyndy1
[Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in seven styles)](#)
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### 16. Portable Handheld Fan
Perfect for when the airplane isn’t exactly cool.
I bring mine everywhere and it especially helped while sitting on a plane in Miami with open doors on a hot summer day.
Stay cool and comfortable wherever you go!
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*Reviews have been edited for clarity and length.*
Happy travels!
https://www.buzzfeed.com/elizabethlilly/16-plane-problem-solvers-youll-wanna-keep-shoved-in-your