It’s a tale as old as time: I get so lost in the excitement of going on vacation that I fail to think about the actual traveling part. This frequently leaves me with a perfectly curated getaway wardrobe, packed itinerary, and miserable flight. So with summer quickly approaching, I’m on a mission to up my plane prep, and I’m tapping an expert for the secret to smooth travels; Karen Våje, a flight attendant who spends 80 hours in the sky per month, spilled her top eight in-flight must-haves—and prices start at $10.
Luckily, Våje’s favorite finds for your next trip are all available on Amazon, and she swears by them for 14-hour journeys. Below, snag her expertly-approved finds including on-the-go skincare, lightweight SPF, space-saving packing hacks, and the secret to never losing your luggage. So, buckle your seatbelts and prepare to shop.
Flight Attendant-Approved Amazon Travel Must-Haves
- Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones, $450 (Originally $549)
- Supergoop Every Single Face Sunscreen, $34 (Originally $37)
- Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops, $26
- Bagail 10-Piece Packing Cube Set, $17 with coupon (Originally $25)
- E.l.f. Dewy Coconut Setting Mist, $10
- Apple AirTag, $25 (Originally $29)
- Soidram Quilted Cosmetics Bag, $13
- Travelpro Maxlite Carry-On Bag, $80 (Originally $85)
Supergoop Every Single Face Sunscreen
Since “UV radiation increases with altitude” (yes, really), Våje always applies sunscreen under her makeup before flying. Her top recommendation is the Supergoop Every Single Face Sunscreen since it’s “moisturizing, lightweight, and gives a nice glow,” she said. One reviewer confirmed, raving that it “doesn’t leave a white residue” or ruin glam, and someone else added that it’s “easy to apply” and “not heavy or greasy on your skin.” While SPF is a daily non-negotiable, you’ll especially want to stock up ahead of summer travels.
Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops
They don’t call them red-eye flights for nothing. Våje deemed the Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops her “lifesaver on night flights,” adding that they’re the “best [she’s] tried” when it comes to “brightening and hydrating” her eyes. The fast-acting drops illuminate the whites of your eyes in one minute, eliminating redness and feigning well-rested peepers. Våje isn’t the only fan of the beauty secret; Jennifer Lopez told Vogue she swears by the Lumify Drops, since your eyes are “the first thing everybody sees,” she said.
Apple AirTag
If you’ve ever been stranded on vacay with no luggage in sight, rest assured the Apple AirTag “makes life 1,000 times easier,” according to Våje. She said the handy $25 tracking device is “always with [her],” and her number one travel tip is to attach one to your “passport, luggage, and keys,” like she does. You can even grab a discounted four-pack on Amazon to keep eyes on your valuables at all times. Just be sure to get your hands on an AirTag before your next trip—more than 10,000 people purchased one in the past month alone, per Amazon, and they may sell out.
E.l.f. Dewy Coconut Setting Mist
IMHO: There’s nothing worse than having dry skin on a flight when your moisturizer is packed out of reach. To avoid the skincare scaries, Våje always turns to the E.l.f. Dewy Coconut Mist to keep her complexion “hydrated and dewy” on lengthy trips because her skin gets “especially dry at high altitudes.” Plus, she gives it “extra points” for its “refreshing effect and good smell.” Not only does the $10 find quench thirsty skin, but it sets makeup in place for long flights, too.
To fly with ease, stock up on these flight attendant-approved picks from Amazon ahead of summer.