34 Travel Products That Will Make You The Happiest Little Clam In Economy

Buzz Feed

27-02-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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These cult-fave protein bars that taste like candy and these $20 AirPods Max alternatives are going to hit different on hour five of that flight.
1. An Airplane Pocket tray cover that slides seamlessly over an airplane tray to create an instant, deeply convenient hub — this comes with a number of pockets so you can keep track of all your devices, snacks, and other odds and ends without rooting around for them in the gross back pocket or your carry-on the whole flight. Bonus: This bb is an excellent way to prevent touching a germ-y tray, and it's fully machine washable.
Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
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!
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
2. A pair of waterproof wireless earbuds with AirPods Pro energy — except these feature a charging case that, bless its technologically savvy heart, has an LED display letting you know exactly how much charge is left. Reviewers also love how delightfully comfortable and sweatproof these are, making them a solid, affordable option for long flights and unpredictable trips in all kinds of weather.
Promising review: "I use these every day at work! Love these — easy to learn and to use. Best thing about them? Well, everything, lol. Good sound, they hold a charge for long periods, and I don't have to worry about them losing power. I can answer my phone easily and then go back to music without a problem. Definitely a great buy and worth the money! Love this color, too!" — Erin
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in eight colors).
3. And a pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without worrying about losing or damaging them on long trips. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price.
iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories.
I own a pair of these and because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably. The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point.
Promising review: "These headphones surprised me. I thought they were not going to be as great because of how cheap they are, but the bass is amazing! The noise cancellation is so good that I can't hear anything. The volume is loud, and sound quality is a win, and just how I like it. Very snug and comfy, recommend! Thanks TikTok, lol :)." — Chevelle Revero
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
4. A weighted eye mask that's basically like a weighted blanket for your human eyes, designed to decrease stress and encourage ~deep sleep~. They also feature a 3D contour, so they're hollowed out in the middle and won't rest right on top of your eyes.
Amazon
Promising review: "Love these. These are soft and very comfortable, and they seriously black out every bit of ligh t. I love them. I would highly recommend. I'll probably never sleep without them again." — AJ
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven sets).
5. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount designed for use on all airlines — not only can you mount it to the tray table of an airplane seat, but to the arm of a chair or any flat surface, so you'll be able to stream content easy as pie wherever you roam. Reviewers have used it on everything from their car dashboards to carry-on handles to office desks to bedside tables.
Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on the go.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers." — Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $13.97.
6. A newly updated AirFly, a handy gadget you can use to connect your wireless headphones to the headphone jacks on flights so you can stream The Fault in Our Stars and bawl thousands of feet in the air again without dealing with the poor quality of the airline's headphones or shelling out $$ for them. Bonus: you can use these to connect to audio jacks on gym equipment and gaming devices, too!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Here's what BuzzFeeder Chelsea Stuart has to say about them: "Last year I splurged on some AirPod Maxes and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest. (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??)"
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and bought it instantly for an upcoming trip. I wish I knew about this sooner so I could enjoy inflight entertainment without needed additional headphones. This allows for that, which is great. It works so well, my husband bought one as well. Highly recommend." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four styles and two colors).
7. A two-piece lounge set that's inspired by a popular mall brand's version, and so cozy and elevated that even looking at it makes me feel smug and snuggly at the same time?? (Is "smuggly" a valid emotion now???) This is a perfect travel option for staying cute, comfy, *and* able to move fast at a moment's notice.
Promising review:"I have received many compliments on this two-piece se t. They wash up nicely and I air dry them as most of my clothes. My younger daughter loved it so much that she often steals it to wear. I can dress it up or dress it down Looks great with my Adidas Sambas or the Dolce Vita slides. Great functionality as you can wear it to relax and watch Netflix all day long or go shopping or travel. Great value for the money the material is an appropriate thickness where it is not too heavy, but yet gives you some warmth." — rupert
Get it from Amazon for $52.99 (available in women's sizes S–XL and 12 colors).
8. A pair of investmentworthy Loop Quiet 2 "hidden" earplugs designed with traveling in mind — this newly updated version is lightweight and flexible for a barely there fit that still manages to effectively muffle noise, whether you're trying to get some shut-eye on a flight, focus during a work trip, or relax in a noisy city hotel.
Amazon
Psst — Loop makes a variety of "hidden" earplugs for concerts, focus, and even for kids. Check them all out on Loop's Amazon storefront!
Promising review: "These are my third pair of Loop earplugs. I like using them in the car, on planes, at concerts, in class, and while sleeping. This is my first pair of the silicone ones which were much more comfortable to sleep in which I appreciated. If you are more sensitive to noises, I definitely recommend keeping these on you." — Cash Tieman
Get it from Amazon for $28.95 (available in eight colors).
9. And a set of silicone "EarPlanes" with a twist-on structure to help relieve pressure that hurts your ears during altitude changes during landing and takeoff. Reviewers also swear by these for driving through altitude changes in the mountains and for helping with sinus pressure pain!
EarPlanes is a small business that specializes in earplugs for travel use.
Promising review:"This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." — Thomasina
Get it from Amazon for $7.89 (available in multipacks).
10. A brand spanking new *mini* Kindle — it's faster, it's brighter, and more importantly, it's TEENSIER. The new size makes it easier to fit in the palm of your hand, easier to travel with, and a heck of a lot easier to slide into carry-ons and airplane pockets. It's also glare-free and has a battery life that lasts for up to six weeks on a single charge.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the mini Kindle in action.
Promising review:"This is such a great Kindle! It's lightweight, the perfect size for going in a purse or bag, and the matcha is SUCH a great color. I already have a Paperwhite SE that I love, so I decided to get this Kindle for travel purposes. The battery life isn't as great as my Paperwhite, but it still lasts me a while with daily reading! It fits perfectly in my hands and makes reading very comfortable. The only thing it is missing is the warm light option, but that is not a deal breaker for me. If you are looking for a lightweight and comfortable Kindle, this is the one for you." — Christine Heath
Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha, and with or without an ad lock screen).
11. A TSA-friendly Burt's Bees travel pack, aka your new ally against dry air on the plane or in newer climates. This will keep your feet, lips, hands, *and* human body pampered and moisturized while you jet set.
www.amazon.com
Each set includes a hand lotion, body lotion, lip balm, and a foot cream.
Promising review:"The foot cream works wonders on the heels. It has a thick consistency and it's a bit greasy, so it may be hard to put on, but it'll be worth it in the end for those baby-soft heels. I just put socks on for 15 minutes while I wait for my skin to absorb it. The lotion and lip balm are also great to have for travel, in the office, or in your purse." — Kerrrns
Get it from Amazon for $13.27.
12. A set of homeopathic jet-lag pills to show all time zones and weary post-travel limbs who's boss. This doesn't have any side effects and won't mess with your *actual* attempts to sleep, but may help you feel more refreshed after long flights or (sighs deeply) red-eyes.
www.amazon.com
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 to Japan and it was very effective. I used it for a trip to Washington, DC, that had a number of 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 $11.99.
13. A hands-free portable phone charger that sticks right onto your phone plug and chills there so easily that you might forget it's there in the first place. This mini charger is designed to give you one full iPhone battery per charge, making it a lifesaver for busy humans, particularly ones who love traveling.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the charger in action.
Promising review:"I used these several times for the past year, traveling for business and leisure. It is always a challenge to find an outlet at the airport since some airports do not offer a charging station. Using those types can also be a security risk. That's why I love using these portable chargers. They are lightweight and fit in my travel handbag/or small backpack pocket. The portable chargers take about 30–35 minutes to fully charge if dead. Once charged, they charge fast and hold a charge for many hours." — J
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six colors).
14. Plus a tiny 3-in-1 portable charger you can fold down to the size of a little macaron, but expand to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at the same time. If you have trips on the horizon or you're a busy human in general, you need to get yourself one of these adorable UFOs, fast.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These are fabulous for travel — they charge three devices from just one USB port, especially [helpful] when frequenting hotel rooms. The first one is now permanently stationed bedside to help clean up the clutter, and this will go into my briefcase for future excursions. Compact, and effective!" — see2xu
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in four colors).
15. Barebell's "Soft" Protein Bars that taste SO LEGITIMATELY LIKE actual candy bars that they have altered my brain chemistry. At 16 grams of protein a pop, these are such a ridiculously convenient "hangriness" prevention option that I keep two in my bag at all times, especially during long trips with unpredictable flights and itineraries that might leave unexpected gaps between snacks meals.
I am not exaggerating about how obsessed I am with every flavor in the "soft" variety of this protein bar — it is painful for me to write about this publicly because if they sell out my world will go cold and dark and meaningless. I have one with my breakfast every weekday — the caramel chocolate tastes like a thicker Milky Way bar and the salted peanut caramel legit tastes like a Twix — and I always, always, ALWAYS pack them for flights and long trips. I cannot tell you how many times I have been stuck in an airport or on the tarmac for unexpected flight delays and taken one of these to the FACE, and I am always so grateful to have them as a back-up plan if I'm ever stuck on an adventure and can't find a decent protein option to sustain me.
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in four "soft" varieties and nine others, plus variety packs).
16. A delightfully firm but comfortable memory foam travel pillow to support your neck during long flights *without* hogging all your backpack space. This is designed to squish and roll into 60% of its original size for easy packing, but won't lose its shape when you pull it back out.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I can say I have had quite a few travel pillows, but this one must be the best one yet! I like the fact that you can squeeze it into the little bag so it doesn't take much space, and not only that, but it won't lose shape because it's made of memory foam — the very soft one. It's firm enough to give your back some support but still comfortable! Great price too, totally worth it!" — vm2272
Get it fro Amazon for $30.99+ (available in five colors).
17. A deeply adorable retro-style portable Bluetooth keyboard you can connect to your tablet, phone, or computer to easily type if you're working while traveling (or just want to e-mail everyone about that croissant you just ate). Reviewers especially love the satisfying ~clickety clack~ feel of the keys!
Promising review: "I got this keyboard because of its aesthetic. The look did not disappoint. Love it! Super easy to connect to my iPhone and iPad. It makes my typing and note creating on my phone quicker and cuter. I will purchase another for an upcoming friend's birthday. I know she'll love it as well!" — NT
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (clip the $3 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in eight styles).
18. A fully waterproof tricked out travel carry-on backpack complete with *deep breath* two laptop sleeves, a shoe compartment, a secret anti-theft pocket, a USB charging port, and a "wet bag" to keep sweaty clothes or liquids away from your tech. Oh, and it's cute as a BUTTON to boot. Who gave this backpack the right to flex on other backpacks this hard???
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I recently took a cross-country flight with my three kids. I really didn't want to worry about checked bags getting lost so maximizing our carry-ons was a priority. This backpack fit an unfathomable amount of stuff! Lots of zippers and compartments for everything from shoes to laptops/iPads, easy access compartments for cell phones and boarding passes, I fit tons of neatly folded clothes. The best part was that fully loaded it easily slid under the seat." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in two sizes and 30 styles).
19. A lil' snack pouch with a pop of 🌈 to add a little bit of cheer to especially long road trips and cross-country flights. Reviewers love that it keeps their carry-ons a bit more organized and that the clear exterior lets them see which treats they have in store.
Sage Nation is a small business specializing in quirky organizational pouches for travel and home use.
Promising review: "Lettering is spot on. Love the colors, and the clear bag makes it easy for kids to see what is available. Quality materials and construction." — Lisa Stanko
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (clip the $2 off coupon on the product page for this price).
20. And a five-compartment snack spinner that'll prove itself as a flight MVP for anyone with picky eaters — not only does the spin factor make it fun and encourage kids to try a variety of snacks, but this gizmo stays locked in place to avoid messes (and is even dishwasher safe)!
Check out a TikTok of the snack spinner in action.
Promising review:"I bought these before they were on Amazon. I'm obsessed. My kids think it's a game, and they're so intent on eating all the food inside. Even my picky eater. As a mom who absolutely hates to hand wash things, I'm so grateful that a) the entire thing comes apart for washing and b) it's completely dishwasher safe. This thing is awesome. One of a kind. I own five right now. Will probably be getting more in the future for when the baby is old enough to snack independently." — Jordan Christman
Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in three colors and two sizes).
21. A pack of flight attendant–approved snacking olives with a true ~first class~ vibe, whether you're using them to jazz up the boring airplane meal or to eat with the lil' airplane mini of gin that you asked the flight attendant for within the minute of the baby behind you starting to cry.
Promising review: "I used to be a flight attendant, and these were served on the plane. They are some of the best olives! I can't get them anywhere where I live, so I order them online. I recently went to see my friend (former flight attendant also), and she put them on the charcuterie board she made; everyone at the pool was eating them. Definitely recommend this brand if you like green olives!" — Lex
Get a variety pack of 12 from Amazon for $18.71 (also available in four other flavors).
22. And a set of airtight, moisture-proof mini salt and pepper shakers because life is too short for bland food. Now you can have an easy "fix-it" when the airplane food tastes like cardboard.
Amazon
Signora Ware is a small business that specializes in portable food packaging and containers.
Promising review:"These salt and pepper shakers are the perfect size for traveling, camping or going to work in my backpack! No leaks, and they work great. Very happy with this purchase." — Mark Pavey
Get it from Amazon for $6.49 (available in three other styles).
23. A ridiculously soft Essential Hoodie from Pond LA, which is basically what happens when a cozy sweater and a sleeping mask join forces to create the ultimate lightweight piece you can use for everything from light naps to full-on workouts. Not to mention...it's got a kangaroo pocket.
Pond LA
Pond LA is a California-based woman-owned, Asian-owned independent product design studio that produces in small, handmade batches from fabrics sourced in Los Angeles.
Promising review:"I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flight. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It's comfy, cozy, oversized and the eye covers make you feel like you're in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over ear headphone fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I've had on a plane — EVER!" — Heather G.
Get it from Pond LA for $128 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and in five colors).
24. A travel "flossing" toothbrush with two layers of bristles — regular firm bristles, and longer ones that are ten times thinner to clean deep in between your teeth and gums to mimic flossing. This is a great option for long haul flights when you want a quick but effective brush after meals!
Amazon
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
I've been using the regular-sized version of this for over a year now and I LOVE it! I used to use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these — especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. My teeth feel genuinely ~squeaky clean~ after I use this, too.
Promising review: "This toothbrush is a new staple item for my on the go Invisalign bag. When I need to brush my teeth and don't have time to floss before putting my aligners back in, this brush makes sure my teeth and mouth feel clean and removes debris in-between my teeth. The bristles are soft, this toothbrush is sturdy and the different lengths of bristles help remove debris or help floss your teeth on the go. This brush also dries very fast in-between uses as well." — V. Brown
Get it from Amazon for $6.12.
25. A subtle amber reading light that's 99.94% free of blue spectrum light — aka, the light that signals to your brain that it's daytime and keeps you up and attem. Now you can read your book at during the flight further without disrupting your circadian rhythms *or* bugging your neighbors with the harsh overhead.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This is a fantastic light! I use it every evening to continue reading while my son sleeps, it does not wake him or impede my sleep after I'm ready to go to bed. Great product." — Brian Masters
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
26. A 4-in-1 flying USB port to condense the tangle of wires on the one outlet you have access to on the from your seat on the plane. This includes a 3.3-foot extension cord so you don't have to bend over a ton!
Multitasky
Multitasky is a woman-owned small business established in 2020 that specializes in cute, functional gadgets for travel, office, and home use.
Promising review:"It does as it says it does, allowing my Dell XPS15 to operate a pair of USB devices from my lightning port! The laptop has two USB ports, one of which is always occupied by my USB mouse dongle and the other by my protected USB drive. If I wanted to plug in my phone to switch data or add another thumb drive to transfer a device, everything might have to be disconnected, but not anymore. It was really worth it." — Liberty
Get it from Multitasky for $25 (available in three colors).
27. And a compact travel cable organizer with two different pocketed compartments to keep your cords, earbuds, and chargers organized and safe — this is waterproof, so even if *you* get waterlogged on a trip or on your way to work, your gadgets and gizmos won't.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"This case has been amazing for storing my earbuds, various loose cable connectors, chargers, etc. I am using it right now on a trip, and it has been fantastic for keeping these items in one convenient, organized place. It is lightweight and fits easily into my one carry-on item when boarding the many flights I am taking. I'm pretty sure I will still be using it to keep all these items together and more easy to locate when I return home! I am so glad I bought this!" — V. Elia
Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in 11 styles).
28. An airplane footrest, because yes, it IS possible to sit comfortably on a plane — all you have to do is hook this onto the tray table, and boom, instant elevation (and a LOT less foot swelling to deal with post-flight)!
Amazon
Promising review:"This is a game changer when flying! Immediately takes the pressure off your legs and adds tons of comfort. I used it on an 11-hour red-eye flight for the first time and it was the best experience, aside from being in first class. Highly recommend! Even for short flights." — Isa V.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
29. A clever Altoids tin pill insert you can use for discreet storage of medications, or just to save packing space on trips. You can get it in eight different "cubby" styles, including a seven-day one, to suit your needs.
Bridge Designed is a Pennsylvania-based Etsy shop established in 2024 that specializes in unique personal care accessories.
Promising review: "These inserts are so handy!! I decorated a small Altoid tin out of boredom and have been using it as a pill tin ever since. I just had pills rolling around until I found these little inserts! C olors are fun and now my handbag doesn't rattle." — Janet Park
Get it from Bridge Designed on Etsy for $2.50 (originally $3.57; available in nine styles and eight colors).
31. A set of soft silicone sensory-friendly worry stones that are perfect for traveling, since they are so portable, quiet, and unobtrusive.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "We bought these recently and used them on a long plane trip and at Disneyland. They help with [our son's] anxiety and kept him from biting and chewing his fingers, something he does when he is heightened." — Amazon Customer
Get a set of six from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in as set of 18).
32. A leakproof collapsible water bottle to make you feel a little bit like a witch when you roll it back up and it just ~disappears~ conveniently in your carry-on.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Love this product! I work out on the go so I'm always in need of water bottle, but I hate carrying a big one around all the time. This bottle is a nice size to use while running/walking (lightweight and easy to carry), it doesn't leak like most plastic bottles, and it's easy to roll/fold up and store in a bag after you're done. Overall great design and functionality. 10/10." — LaMonica
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in five colors).
33. And a stainless-steel Memobottle, a true travel MVP — these insulated, leakproof bottles come in four very specific sizes with a flat-shaped design to be packed as easily and efficiently as possible, based on your needs. It also features a flask-style mouthpiece designed for faster hydration, and is dishwasher safe.
Amazon
Promising review: "I believe this has been my best purchase of this year. This water bottle is well designed, holds water well and brings unnecessary attention but it's welcomed. 😈 It creates a different drinking experience and it's unique yet awkward design fits in all bags. Even fits in my Vespa perfectly. I want to say the price is a little steep in my opinion, but after weeks of use, I get it." — Aaron V.
Get it from Amazon for $55+ (available in two colors and four sizes).
34. A roll-on migraine stick made with peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils to help you soothe away headaches, which frankly have a lot of audacity interrupting your travel plans.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Basic Vigor is a US-based small business specializing in all-natural migraine relief products.
Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins.
Promising review:"I've had migraines all my life — I'm 31 now. I've been on all kinds of prescriptions that work, but make me so sleepy... I've been using this stick for one week now, and it's amazing! I rubbed it on at the first hint of a headache/migraine and it takes care of it fast. I haven't taken a prescription migraine since I started using it." — Amanda Braswell
Read BuzzFeed's review of the migraine stick for more deets!
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.