Your summer vacation is calling—are you ready? And no, I’m not talking about your itinerary or your packing list (because I’m sure you’ve done both). It’s the travel gear that gets you from one place to another, like packing cubes and luggage, that sets the tone for your trip.
While you’ve probably flown many times before, no one knows travel better than the people who do it for a living: flight attendants and pilots. Right now, you can score some serious savings on the travel gear these professional jetsetters use when they fly. Some of their favorite items include this #1-selling travel pillow , a $50 off Travelpro expandable carry-on , a $12 cup holder that attaches to your bag , and premium compression socks for nearly half off . Ready for takeoff? Scroll through our list for a ton of flight-crew-approved travel essentials.
Amazon
There’s nothing worse than buying an overpriced drink at the airport and having nowhere to put it. This removable holder attaches to the handle of your carry-on luggage and has slots for two cups. Of course, flight attendants everywhere use it religiously.
“I’m a flight attendant and I love this one!” one wrote on Amazon. “I love the “quick release” velcro. It’s the best! I had one before without the velcro opening that just stretched over the handle and it was a pain! This one is awesome!”
$12 on Amazon
Amazon
Having to endure a long flight without in-flight entertainment is a bummer. (Of course, sometimes the entertainment you East (Availability is also a bummer.) Here’s your backup plan: This phone holder lets you prop up your device to watch your favorite shows or movies, hands-free and at eye level. It easily attaches to your tray table or luggage handle, so it’s a simple, space-saving addition. Crew members love it so much that they use it for travel and continue to use it when they get home.
“As a flight attendant on the move, [this] “It’s very convenient!” said one reviewer. “At home, I like it sitting on the counter.”
$13 on Amazon
Amazon
Unless you’re planning on completely unplugging for your trip abroad, you’ll need a plug adapter. This one is super compact and easily converts to a European plug so you can use and charge your devices. It even has two USB ports to keep your travel tech charged.
$14 on Amazon
Amazon
Travel experts and frequent travelers alike agree that packing cubes are one of the easiest ways to stay organized. If you tend to overpack or always forget something, they’ll keep everything organized and easy to find. Along with a range of bags in different sizes, this eight-piece set includes a toiletry bag, shoe bag, and sock bag.
“I’m getting ready to train as a flight attendant and wanted to buy these shoes to help me organize the many things I have to carry,” wrote one reviewer. “What surprised me was that both pairs of heels fit in the shoe bag.”
$14 on Amazon
Amazon
Our editor Britt Ross asked her friend Emily, who has been a flight attendant for over 10 years, for travel recommendations, and this clever lock made her list. “Safety first, always,” she told us. Simply place the metal piece in the door strike, close the door, and attach the red piece to the metal piece. No one will be able to get in from the outside, so you can rest easy knowing you’re safe and sound inside your hotel or Airbnb.
$15 on Amazon
Amazon
Cabin pressure causes many travelers’ feet to swell. It’s a good idea to invest in compression socks to improve circulation. These socks are a best-seller, with over 58,000 five-star reviews.
“Flight attendant approved!” said one five-star reviewer. “I suffer from swelling all over when I take two, three, and sometimes four flights a day. These socks are comparable to the ones I used to pay $30 a pair for! They wash well! They are comfortable and really keep my feet from getting tired and swollen throughout the day.”
Another flight attendant started wearing them on the recommendation of a colleague.[A] “A senior cabin crew member suggested I start wearing socks for longer flights and work days and I’m glad I listened! My feet feel better and I recover faster! The cute designs are an added bonus that regularly earn me compliments.”
$18 on Amazon
Amazon
Portable electronics are a modern-day miracle, from your laptop and phone to your portable charger and tablet. But that means carrying around an often-chaotic collection of cables. Flight attendants and frequent fliers alike rave about how this multi-layered organizer has room for everything, including a designated spot for a tablet.
“I’m a flight attendant and I love this organizer!” wrote one professional. “I keep my iPad, passport, cables, papers, and hand sanitizer in it.”
$19 on Amazon
Amazon
If you prefer to travel hands-free, this multifunctional travel pouch is both a passport holder and a wallet. It also has space for your credit cards, cash, phone, boarding passes and other valuables. It features RFID blocking technology to protect your personal information.
The retired flight attendant, who still travels non-professionally, was looking for a lightweight product to keep her belongings safe. “This one does just that,” she said. “It has enough room for my passport, a credit card or two and some cash.”
$23 on Amazon
Amazon
This ultra-spacious 21st-century toiletry bag strikes the perfect balance between space and compactness, and it’s packed with convenient features that seasoned travelers love. In addition to six built-in pockets and multiple slots, it comes with a removable, TSA-approved clear makeup bag, making getting through security quicker and easier.
Several travel professionals have raved about this bag. “I’m a flight attendant and it holds everything!” said one five-star customer. “I love it! The zippers close easily and it’s well thought out to accommodate all your needs. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
$25 on Amazon
Amazon
If you’ve ever tried to settle in for a nap in flight, you know it’s a challenge. Crew members, who are experts at taking naps on the fly (e.g. that 10 times faster!), enjoy a travel pillow that makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
One flight attendant said he uses this #1 bestseller when flying home from exhausting overnight international flights: “It allows me to sleep and not wake up with a total neck ache.”
$49 on Amazon
Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover is a travel sleep accessory brand loved by connoisseurs. This airy mesh fanny pack is durable and smartly designed with discreet, travel-friendly pockets. Plus, it can hold a surprising amount of items. When worn crossbody or around the waist, it offers convenient, hands-free access to your passport, wallet, keys, and any essentials you want to have close at hand. Choose from 18 colors.
One airline professional even declared herself “obsessed” with the well-designed travel accessory. “I wanted a fanny pack that I could wear across my body and I love it,” the five-star fan exclaimed. “I’m also a flight attendant, and this is perfect for getting out and exploring or grabbing a coffee in the gate area.”
$79 at Dagne Dover
Amazon
Travelpro has long been a favorite luggage brand among flight attendants. From its lightweight design to its durable construction, this carry-on bag is especially loved and appreciated by pilots.
“I like the two-wheel version that I’ve used for years as an airline pilot,” said one five-star reviewer on Amazon. “My wife wanted this four-wheel version. It worked great on a variety of surfaces.”
$120 on Amazon
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The above reviews reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.