Flight Attendants on TikTok Share the 11 Travel Essentials They Refuse to Fly Without — From $4 (2024)

If there’s one thing that we all can do to travel safer and more efficiently, it’s taking advice from the most frequent of fliers: flight attendants. Considering how often flight attendants are on the go, they’ve truly mastered the ins and outs of air travel — and they're spilling their secrets on TikTok to make your next flight as hassle-free as possible.

Don't have the time to scroll through "Flight AttendantTok?" That's where I come in. I've scoured the social media app to find the internet's tried-and-true travel essentials, each handpicked by flight attendants themselves (think: great carry-ons, personal safety items, dark circle-banishing skincare, and more). Even better, these picks can all conveniently be found at Amazon, where prices start at just $4.

Travelpro Maxlite Softside Expandable 22-Inch Carry-on

An excellent carry-on should be the star of any travel stash, and this Travelpro suitcase is not only well-loved by over 3,000 Amazon shoppers, but it’s also flight attendant-approved and guaranteed to make packing for your next trip a breeze. In fact, aside from its spacious build and four multidirectional spinning wheels, TikTok user @flghtattendantlifewkait shared that this suitcase also has a genius J-shaped hook that “many flight attendants and crewmates use to attach additional bags” to, so you can carry multiple bags at once without putting too much stress on your back.

Addalock Portable Door Lock

TikTok-famous flight attendant Alexis Castroman (@casflightattendant) recommends this portable door lock as a “great level of protection when staying in a hotel.” In a video, she also shared that it’s easy to set up, thin, and lightweight, which means that it's the ideal personal protection tool to travel with. When you’re headed to a new spot, you can never be too safe, and this lock will give you peace of mind during your travels.

Emdmak Portable Door Alarm

Another important personal safety gadget recommendation, these portable door alarms are top travel essentials for TikTok user @flyingwithskates, who demonstrated their usefulness in a now-viral video. In it, she stressed that “hotel safety is important when traveling for work and vacation. When I travel, I love adding an extra layer of protection behind the door and use this door alarm stopper to alert me in the event of someone trying to get in my room.” It’s compact, easy-to-use, and incredibly loud. Oh, and it has a “do not disturb” setting for functional use.

Iniu Portable Charger

TikTok creator @Ciciinthesky pulls from her vast knowledge as a flight attendant to help users travel safer. Last April, she shared a PSA urging travelers to “avoid using public charging stations, especially those with USB ports” because they put you at risk for having your personal data stolen. And to do just that, she recommends keeping a portable charger with you in case your devices need an extra boost of charge. Right now, shoppers can score this top-rated one for as little as $13 thanks to a special on-site coupon.

Apple AirTag 4-Pack

Few things can ruin a trip like lost luggage, and fortunately, @Ciciinthesky has found a solution to ease the worry of being separated from your personal belongings: Apple AirTags. In a TikTok video, she said that these Bluetooth trackers are convenient and effective ways to track your luggage. As a bonus tip, she noted that travelers should hide the tracker “where people can’t find it,” whether that's in a side pocket or tucked away in a secret pouch. Stock up on Apple AirTags while this handy four-pack is on sale at Amazon. Having multiple AirTags means that you can stick them in every bag, which is perfect because she also urged travelers to add one in your carry-on suitcase in case it gets checked at the gate.

Medpride Alcohol Prep Pads

The key to building a foolproof travel routine is to have incredibly useful items in your bag. And because @Ciciinthesky is a genius when it comes to packing, she recommends that travelers bring a stack of alcohol prep wipes with them on their next trip because of their underrated versatility; you can use them to reduce nausea by smelling them, deodorize stinky shoes and your under arms if you forgot deodorant, or disinfect your phone. These multipurpose cleaning pads are compact and will serve you on several trips to come.

The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream

Does hopping on an overnight flight or embarking on a long travel day leave your under eyes feeling dry and puffy? Flight attendant and skincare enthusiast @trendiguyd always travels with this affordable eye cream from The Inkey List to “help get rid of puffiness under the eyes.” I also swear by this $11 eye cream because it’s formulated with brightening caffeine and hydrating peptides to make you look like you got a full eight hours of sleep — even if you’re barely had a sip of coffee.

Tide To Go Stain Remover Stick Set

As a messy eater who loves wearing white, I personally never go anywhere without a Tide To Go stick, so when I saw that flight attendant and TikTok creator @Travelsbyandra shared that she also “always has [her] Tide Pen with [her],” I felt affirmed in my travel accessory choices. In her video, she went on to explain that her “scarf always gets dirty” and her Tide stick is "a quick fix” to keep her looking pristine. Accidents happen, but they’ll be a worry of the past with this compact stain remover.

Alpha Keeper Money Belt Bag

After flight attendant @shawniece got pickpocketed, she vowed to never let it happen again by upgrading her personal security accessories with the Alpha Keeper Money Belt Bag. This fanny pack-style bag lays flat underneath your clothes and acts as an inexpensive way to protect your money and important documents during travel, according to the TikTok creator. I’ve got a trip to Europe coming up, and I just pressed order on this genius solution to safeguard my things on the go.

Eversnug Travel Blanket and Pillow Set

Speaking of genius multi-purpose travel accessories, TikTok creator and flight attendant @wonderfullyale recommends this two-in-one pillow and blanket set, especially “if you’re someone that gets cold on airplanes." In a TikTok video, she explained, "You can have a pillow to just lay your head on, or if you get too cold a blanket to keep warm.” And as if it couldn’t get any better, it comes with a clip so you can attach it to your suitcase or hang it up in your hotel.

Evian Facial Spray Travel Size

Miami-based flight attendant @allycase1 shared on TikTok that she “always keeps this facial spray on her" when traveling. It helps keep her skin hydrated while on the go, which is imperative for someone who is constantly exposed to the drying recycled air on flights. If you need a bit of a skin refresh on the plane or before your next outing, consider adding this $9 spray to your toiletry bag.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.