What are your air travel micro-hacks?

[Franky]

I’m a roll it up person, usually carry enough clothes for 7 days, and the space it gives me is quite good. Socks in shoes also helps. When unpacked none of the clothes have creases and go straight into the drawers in whatever accommodation we end up in.

 

[StayGoldPonyboy]

Spritz some Lavender essential oil or pillow spray on my eye mask before I leave home

An enormous hoody that covers half my face so I can block out the world

And because long haul cabin air is so dry:

- mini Avene water mist

- Embryolisse Eclat Du Regard Eye Stick from chemist warehouse. Twist up and scribble on for moisture.

- a few of those little twist off vials of moisturising eye drops

- a couple of lip balms because I always manage to lose one


Am also thinking next time to take some "Dettol 2 In 1 Sanitizer Spray With Aloe Vera Extracts 90ml" for disinfecting on plane but especially for remote controls in the hotel rooms

 

[significance]

A small number of assorted size vacuum bags (Amazon, Bunnings, K-Mart, Spotlight etc) in the bottom of you suitcase can be a godsend if luggage space becomes tight. Yes,I know you can jump up and down on your luggage as you’re trying to pull the zipper closed, but once you’ve used a vacuum bag for soft compressible clothing and similar you’ll wonder how you managed without them.

This is what packing cubes are for and they do the job well without needing a vacuum. I use packing cubes whenever I travel -- even if I don't need the compression, they keep everything much better organised. If you use vacuum bags, how do you get them compressed? Do you borrow a vacuum from hotel reception?

 

[SeatBackForward]

If you use vacuum bags, how do you get them compressed? Do you borrow a vacuum from hotel reception?

Micro USB vacuums like this one:

But I don't use them, I keep compression bags, or use the roll-up vacuum bag variety that don't need a vacuum for extraction.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've been using one of these recently to watch media on my phone. clip it onto the tray, or the IFE in front of you. My phone doesn't come with a magnetic attachment but you can get sticker rings that can be applied to your phone:

 

[Seat0B]

This is what packing cubes are for and they do the job well without needing a vacuum. I use packing cubes whenever I travel -- even if I don't need the compression, they keep everything much better organised. If you use vacuum bags, how do you get them compressed? Do you borrow a vacuum from hotel reception?

You can buy vacuum bags that you just seal and roll or press down on until all the air comes out via a one way valve. In my experience, they are way better than packing cubes, which I have also used. YMMV.

 

[Invisible Monkey]

This is mainly for international flights to and from China until the paper cards are phased out, but I always have spare arrival cards (Chinese and Australian) in my carry on and pre-fill it the night before or morning of the flight so that I don't have to try and do it on the flight or upon arrival.

There's also been the odd occasion when the cards were not handed out on the flight, so having the extras in my carry on saved me a lot of time getting the card and filling it out amongst the other new arrivals at the terminal. It's the last thing you want to be stressing about.

Pre-Covid I used to pack a mini blender and packets of protein so that I could make my own protein shakes for breakfast post-workout. It was too much of a pain cleaning the blender cup with bottled or boiled water every day so I switched to the Musashi protein shakes (bottled) and pack six of those in a sealed container, along with other vital snacks I like to have on hand.

Edit 1: One for the readers: I switched from physical books to a Kindle when I was surprised with a Kindle for a birthday a couple of years ago. I never asked for it and I wasn't actually keen on it (it took me a couple of weeks to even try it...) as I always like to hold a physical book but having the Kindle takes up much less space than a physical book in my carry on and if I finish a book mid-trip, I have plenty pre-downloaded on the Kindle.

 

[exceladdict]

Actually a new habit of mine is removing my powerbank whether they ask me or not - otherwise it almost always gets flagged.

Definitely, I do this overseas in particular.

I always travel with a medium-sized tupperware container in my luggage. I put anything in it on the way there (toiletries bag, socks, whatever) and then I have it available for storing/transporting random food purchases whilst travelling, and for safely packing delicate souvenirs on the way home! I also always have a sheet or two of bubble wrap and those wine bottle bubble 'sleeves' at the bottom of my suitacase for precious purchases. If I don't end up needing them, they weigh nothing and take up barely any space so no problem.

Love this. I tend to bring a few zip lock bags too. I once ended up with paste deodorant on my toothbrush which was a horrendous disaster. Things are now seperated inside my toiletries!

The last one i would add is, if you're intending to shower in a lounge, always do it as soon as you're able. I have missed out due to the showers "closing", queues, and other things.

 

[Captain Halliday]

+1 on ziplock bags.

Good for the beach. Keeps sand and water out of your phone and other items.

I’m also now in the habit of bagging my phone before leaving the hotel room. That way if I forget it’s in my pocket it won’t drown if it ends up in the pool or ocean by mistake.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For china and Hong Kong, pack either a 6-pack mini, or 1L UHT milk (depending if you’re moving around or in the one spot).

Milk is incredibly expensive in china and Hong Kong, and not the same as ours. And Chinese coffee mate/creamer…

 

[elanshin]

+1 on ziplock bags.

Good for the beach. Keeps sand and water out of your phone and other items.

I’m also now in the habit of bagging my phone before leaving the hotel room. That way if I forget it’s in my pocket it won’t drown if it ends up in the pool or ocean by mistake.

I have been convinced by ziplock bags too. My wife introduced them yo me for travelling. You never know what you need them for. She keeps a few of each size in one of the flat pockets. Takes minimal room and when you need it, you often really need it.

She also keeps 4-6 purple garbage bags in the same pocket. Incredibly handy.

For china and Hong Kong, pack either a 6-pack mini, or 1L UHT milk (depending if you’re moving around or in the one spot).

Milk is incredibly expensive in china and Hong Kong, and not the same as ours. And Chinese coffee mate/creamer…

You could also pack some milk powder. Although I'm more of a milk powder mule personally these days.

 

[Scarlett]

Do dairy cows not like China or something? They’re not exactly tiny mountainous Liechtenstein…

Or is dairy expensive because no one trusts the local stuff because it’s full of asbestos, spider eggs and paint thinner?

 

[OZDUCK]

Do dairy cows not like China or something? They’re not exactly tiny mountainous Liechtenstein…

Or is dairy expensive because no one trusts the local stuff because it’s full of asbestos, spider eggs and paint thinner?

I assume the vey high rate of lactose intolerance amongst the locals, over 90% according to what I can see, has markedly influenced the lack of a dairy cows in the past.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You could also pack some milk powder. Although I'm more of a milk powder mule personally these days.

Not quite the same!

Do dairy cows not like China or something? They’re not exactly tiny mountainous Liechtenstein…

Or is dairy expensive because no one trusts the local stuff because it’s full of asbestos, spider eggs and paint thinner?

The locally produced milk does have the same rich texture as you might find in Australia or NZ. More chalky in appearance?

When I was living in China they occasionally have pallets of imported French UHT at my local, and comparatively cheap. I’d buy up in bulk!

 

[elanshin]

Do dairy cows not like China or something? They’re not exactly tiny mountainous Liechtenstein…

Or is dairy expensive because no one trusts the local stuff because it’s full of asbestos, spider eggs and paint thinner?

Mix of not trusting local stuff and that the stuff here in Aus/NZ being better.

A2 learnt the hard way about trust. They thought with the huge volumes being imported through small sellers and resellers from Aus, that they could cut the middle man out and go direct to market in China.

Little did they know that as soon as they put chinese labels and text on, nobody trusted it instead still preferring the exact same product but sent from Australia.

 

[kookaburra75]

I have been convinced by ziplock bags too. My wife introduced them yo me for travelling. You never know what you need them for. She keeps a few of each size in one of the flat pockets. Takes minimal room and when you need it, you often really need it.

She also keeps 4-6 purple garbage bags in the same pocket. Incredibly handy.


You could also pack some milk powder. Although I'm more of a milk powder mule personally these days.

I also pack a shopping bag, one of the tougher types that fold down flat. If I have to hit the local supermarket for supplies, I have something to carry them in that I know that is up to the task. Also doubles up for a run to the laundromat.

 

[Anthomag5]

Not sure if it has already been said, but my 2 favorites things to bring on long haul flights are a pair of hotel slippers so you don't have to put your shoes constantly back on to go to the toilets.

The other is a Bluetooth transmitter (I've got the Airfly), so I can use my own wireless headphones. Game changer for sound quality!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure if ai mentioned this already upthread? But I now carry a peg (or one of those clips to reveal things like crisps or frozen veggies), to use in the battle against tensioned and retractable seatbelts in sleep mode.

Think SQ’s 777s for example. Pulling out the belt to create some slack and then pegging it gives you a lot more comfortable sleep and the ability to turn easily.

 

[Seat0B]

For china and Hong Kong, pack either a 6-pack mini, or 1L UHT milk (depending if you’re moving around or in the one spot).

Milk is incredibly expensive in china and Hong Kong, and not the same as ours. And Chinese coffee mate/creamer…

I actually take a few small UHT milks with me too - to just about everywhere as US creamer is not much better, most of Europe and Asia doesn’t provide milk for tea and getting it from room service/housekeeping is a challenge. Just enough to get me started until I can find a supermarket - assuming my room has a fridge in it.