20 Best Travel Gift Ideas, According to Flight Attendants

When it comes to a hair tool worth bringing along on any trip, the Revlon one-step (which you might have seen on TikTok) is the perfect option to deliver blowouts in an airport bathroom. With three heat settings and a cool option, NYC-based flight attendant Kat Iwinski says it’s good for any hair type, anywhere in the world.

While Iwinski wears this eye mask in the crew rest bunks, it can be used nearly anywhere. The mask has built-in headphones that can pair with any phone or tablet and offers a ten-hour play time. And it’s cooling and breathable.

Instead of keeping cards on the outside of your phone (which can lead to some mishap), consider this sleek leather case that allows you to discreetly store three cards and cash. Perfect for those of us who always have our phone in hand.

Instead of searching the whole terminal for a free power outlet, carry this power bank that features 2 USB and 2 USB-C charging ports that can provide multiple full charges for a phone and a whole charge for a laptop. Impressive! Johnson also highly approves of this item. “Its slim design allows for easy storage in a tote or handbag and 4-in-1 charging means all of your devices can get ‘juiced up’ simultaneously,” says Johnson, who loves this product.

“I swear by this lipstick,” says Iwinski. “I’ve started masking on planes and in crowded terminals again, but even when I’m wearing a mask this doesn’t budge.”

“Lighter is always better for packing. Having your garments, toiletries, and electronics in one place makes a weekend jaunt or short business trip that much easier,” says Jonathan Johnson, the current director of in-flight experience at Aero and, previously, a flight attendant for 11 years. Johnson’s favorite weekender bag? The large Everywhere Bag from Away. “With an interior organization system and water bottle pocket, you’ll be prepared for every part of your journey,” he says.

Whether you’re ready for a multistep skin-care routine on a plane or just want a little pick-me-up, these eye masks from Loops make a great travel companion. The five-pack tackles under-eye puffiness and imparts brightness, and since you only need to keep them on for ten minutes, they are the easiest way to add a little pampering on the go. Plus, they’re one of Camila Mendes’s favorite products to take with her while traveling.

“Depending on what type of traveler you are, you may find yourself in frenzied panic looking for that passport you strategically placed in the pocket of your briefcase purse or tote. It seems like no matter how many times we check to make sure they’re there, passports, credit cards and driver’s licenses grow legs just before we need them,” says Johnson. “The Normest AirTag Travel wallet not only wraps all of your most important travel documents and bank cards in premium leather, but it protects them with RFID blocking and a nifty storage area to nest an Apple AirTag. The location of your documents are now just a click away on your iOS device.”

Nothing says “well-seasoned traveler” like a Kindle. When you’re constantly living out of a carry-on, this Paperwhite Kindle is the best companion. Iwinski loves how easy it is to carry. Plus, with only 8 GB, you can store thousands of titles and don’t have to worry about recharging for weeks.

Cuticle care may be the last thing you want to think about when you’re traveling, but you’ll want to use this cuticle serum pen from Olive and June every five seconds. Plus it doubles as a great stocking stuffer!

“I make my own amenity kit, like the kind we pass out in first class, and I use this hand cream every time I travel,” Iwinski shares. It’s rich and moisturizing without ever being greasy, and it smells like honey.

If your skin has been personally victimized by the air conditioning in a flight, Johnson recommends this moisturizer from Dr. Barbara Sturm. “All sizes are TSA compliant so this face cream is a must for carry-on.”

For a new mom who’s on the go (literally), this breastmilk chiller storage is the way to continue breastfeeding while traveling. Iwinski recently weaned her 18-month-old but said this was her favorite travel accessory while pumping. “I bought two, and they kept my milk ice-cold for about 36 hours without having to lug a separate cooler around the globe,” she says. Plus she still uses it as (and we quote) a “kick-ass water bottle.”

Some travel plans require stepping off the plane and heading right to an event or nice dinner. In that case, make sure to take a cute bag like this one as your personal item.

For the luxury traveler in your life, look no further than this cashmere set that elevates any airplane experience. “Instead of using the uncomfortable blankets and pillows that airlines give out, I recommend investing in a high-quality cashmere travel set. Ralph Lauren makes a fantastic gift set that includes a 100 percent cashmere pillow, blanket, and eye mask,” says Carrega.

Everyone has that friend who’s taken full advantage of the remote-work lifestyle (hi, it’s me!). The only downfall? Guaranteeing that you have solid Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. Gifting a membership to Outsite ensures they’ll actually make that Zoom meeting.

Sometimes a smartly designed backpack does the trick for short-term travel. Leave the carry-on at home and gift this option instead for that person in your life who likes to travel lightly.

I’ve recently started bringing my own hair-care set instead of hoping that hotels will have quality products, and I can confirm that it’s been a game changer for my beauty routine.