Creature Comforts on the Plane - Basic Economy

Long flights are going to provide you with food, snacks, water, and drinks, wired headphones, sometimes a small blanket. For longer international flights, they will usually be included in your ticket. Optional items will be premium drinks, extra food, etc. 

In my Carry-On 

•  I always bring a blanket (I use it as a sling to support my midget-ass legs and ease hip, knee, and lower back discomfort). If you're able to reach the ground, I wouldn't worry about this one. Alternatively you can pack a sleeping bag liner or a twin sheet. 

•  Slides or slippers. Walking around barefoot or in socks is a really fast way to get bathroom debris stuck to them. Would not recommend going in the bathroom sans foot coverings either. Picture it like a dark bar at 2am...would you walk in there sober and barefooted? Two or 3 pairs of socks for longer flights or if they get scuzzy. 

• Noise canceling headphones. I slip these on without music. Don't want to interact? Want to feel like a spy listening in on others'? You're a creep! But hey, these will do the trick. They keep out too much stimuli and crying babies, as well, letting you movie or music listening that much more immersive.  Pair these bad boys with an eye mask and drift away into a non-scream filled recycled fart bucket. 

• Pillow. I use a stuffed one. Bring whatever you want if you want to keep your head upright and save your neck. They make inflatable ones, too. 

• Medications - Bring them. Bring all of them. Bring extras if you're a worrier. I am officially middle aged as I can tell from my rattling carry-on. Allergy meds, Ibuprofen, whatever else you might want or need. Depending on where you're going some meds might not be available or hard to get. Have IBS or worried about traveler's gut-rot? Grab some chewable Pepto Bismals or ginger tea. 

1. Hydrate! Bring an empty water bottle to fill at the airport. They're cheap, easy to recycle or toss, and fit into the seat back area nicely without sending the person ahead of you to the chiropractor. The recirculated air is dry. You can grab some single-pack electrolyte or water flavors for an extra boost! 

2. Drugs! Keep your prescription drugs in their original packaging. 

3. Money! The easiest way I've found to get money is to do a travel alert with my bank. On arrival, find a local ATM and pull money there; not the airport currency exchanges.. It'll be pre-converted right out of your account. The more touristy an area is usually correlates to a higher ATM fee. 

4. Hygiene. People are gross. Let's face it, who hasn't picked their nose in public? No? Okay....well I've seen it. I'm not a germaphobe, in fact it's shocking how many things I've eaten off the ground. Beware of these goblins, protect your self, wash your hands and stop touching your face after touching random surfaces. Hand sanitizer or just washing your hands works. I'm not the CDC, I'm not OCD, I just don't want you eating booger residue on your PotBelly or airport hamburger. A small thing of lotion goes a long way, as well as chapstick. Again, recycled air gets very dry and tends to make our skin weird.

5. Slippers/ slides (flip-flops...sandals) & an inflatable pillow. Comfort. I'm all about traveling as comfortably as possible in basic economy. 

6. Pre-download all the content and more you think you'll be able to handle. I never pay for wifi on a plane. Great apps I use are
   Reading: Libby and Hoopla-- need  alibrary card to use them both. If you don't have a library card....go get one! They're free!
                   Play Books - Can download to your hearts' content. If you have a bunch of friends or family who read set up a family library to share.

Watching: Apps. All the apps. Most of them have downloadable content as well. 

Music: Spotify lets your create and share, collaborate playlists. It also lets you download them. 

7. Pen. Some destinations you will be handed your visa on arrival form on the flight. You can start filling it out on the plane and get into customs/immigrations right away. The flight attendants do not hand out pens. Bring an extra and be the real OG (for a second). 

8. Mouth Hygiene. Toothbrush and toothpaste, floss. If you have questions about this one...maybe it's time to make an appointment with your dentist. Or find a dentist, you silly silly goose. 

9. Snacks. You can bring literally anything that isn't prohibited. I usually bring a pre-made sandwich from the grocery store or my favorite sandwich shop. Popcorn, nuts, chips. Depending where you're going fruits and veggies will not be allowed through to the final destination. Invasive species, etc. Just don't do it. There will be fruit and vegetables at your final destination. Chips are great, cookies, crackers. Salads (bring dressing in a 3oz or less container) are even a go. You don't have to pay $15 for mediocre BK or McD's, bring your own food while waiting and on the plane. Common sense says not to bring strong-scented foods. While you might love the smell of curdled oysters at 6am, not everyone does. Don't be "that guy". 

10. Insulated cup or wide-mouthed mug. I like food. Ok, I love food. Food motivates me to travel and see things. I now carry one or both of these (along with the water bottle). You can bring tea bags, instant coffee, dry creamer, etc and just ask for hot water fills while at the airport. No one's ever said no and I don't mind tipping $2-5 for this convenience. Plasticware is easy to obtain if you want to bring instant oats, instant grits, overnight oats, etc with you. Instant ramen, easy Mac, etc. Bring granola and buy milk in the airport! The world is your oyster (just be a conscientious oyster-er please!). Go wild. Pack your carry-on full of movie theater popcorn!