MMC6936 -Assignment 3: Blogging
6 Travel Essentials To Always Pack Before Your Flight
Knowing what to pack with you when flying can be daunting. There are just so many things you could bring! But what things do you absolutely need to bring with you when flying?
Our Southwest Flight Attendants know a thing or two about just what to pack when traveling, and they are happy to share their tips and tricks with you!
In this article, our senior flight attendant, Jill Harris, shares her advice on the 6 Travel Essentials to always bring with you when flying.
Hello! I am Jill Harris, your senior flight attendant for this article, and I am thrilled at this opportunity to share with you tips I’ve learned about the best things to pack before flying.
After ten years shepherding people (and myself) from place to place, I think I’ve learned a thing or two, and now is a great time to pass on these travel hacks to you!
- A personal carry-on bag.
OK. I’ll admit that the first item on the list seems a little obvious. Doesn’t everyone and their uncle fly a personal carry-on bag these days?
That’s true — but that doesn’t mean they are traveling with the right personal carry-on bag!
After ten years of zooming around the US and totting around all kinds of different carry-on bags, I have a good picture of the exact kind of carry-on bag you should be using.
Do not buy the most expensive carry-on bag; you’re just burning money if you do.
They will take a beating, and you don’t want your thousand-dollar carry-on bag falling apart after just a couple of flights.
The ideal carry-on bag is cheap, tough, small enough to easily store and that offers good protection to anything you might want to pack inside it.
Don’t go with looks; the ideal carry-on bag is like a portable, storable tank. It’s all about performance, durability, and longevity! Travel and Leisure have some great options for carry-on bags be sure and check them out!
2. Snacks.
Snacks! Anytime you are flying, be sure to pack your favorite snacks. Look, I love our complimentary offerings on our Southwest flights, but we can’t carry everything and very likely including your favorite snack.
I would literally die without my midflight Butterfinger. So, do yourself a favor and be sure to bring along one or two of your favorite snacks with you. Your tummy and tastebuds will thank you, I promise! Walmart has some great snack for your next flight.
3. An iPad or tablet.
Back in the day, unless you were flying Airforce 1 with the POTUS, most airlines did not offer complimentary Wi-Fi services during the flight.
If you were bringing a personal device with you, you’d be limited to what you already had on the device in the way of movies and music– with no way to check E-Mails or get connected to the wider world while in-transit.
But that was back in the day! Nowadays, everyone can partake in the POTUS experience and get connected to either the internet or in-flight entertainment services.
So, be sure and bring your favorite iPad or tablet. That 3-hour commute that you usually dread? It will go by in a flash while you are watching your favorite movies or staying in touch with your co-worker, friends, and family. Grab an iPad from the Apple store!
4. A portable charger.
Remember that iPad or tablet I encouraged you to bring with you? Don’t invite entertainment tragedy; make sure to bring a portable charger with you!
I can’t tell how many times I sat down after tending to passengers, looking forward to catching up with my favorite program only to discover that I was almost out of battery!
The heartbreak was real.
Good thing; there’s an easy fix for these kinds of situations. Just grab a portable charger from your nearest electronics store or the nearest airport kiosk while waiting to board your next Southwest Airlines flight at the departure lounge.
With that charger on hand, it won’t matter how low battery your iPad or tablet might be. Check Amazon for some great deals on portable chargers
5. Sanitizing wipes.
I know for a fact that here at Southwest we take hygiene very seriously, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have put in all kinds of safeguards to ensure safe flights for our passengers and ourselves, the flight crew.
Masks are an obvious must, but it does not hurt to bring a few sanitizing wipes. You never know when they come in handy and help to keep you or your environment clean.
I personally got into the habit of bringing along sanitizing wipes years ago, and I have never regretted packing a few with me, and you won’t either! Be sure and shop at The Home Depot for your stock of sanitizing wipes.
6. A packable jacket.
Last up on the list, but far from least, I always make sure to pack a good jacket with me. Cabins can get cold, and a well-made jacket will help keep you warm and comfortable throughout the flight. Amazon has an amazing selection of packable jackets to choose from.
That covers my 6 travel essentials that I always like to bring with me on my flights for Southwest Airlines. Try them out, I think they will make your next flight much more comfortable! I hope to see you here at Southwest Airlines on your next flight!
And speaking of flying with Southwest Airlines, be sure and check out the latest unbeatable deals we’re offering on our website!
