The Ultimate Carry-On Checklist

If you've ever been on a long flight, you know that preparing properly for hours upon hours on a cramped airplane can make all the difference in the world. How do you avoid feeling icky and gross when you hop off your 12-hour flight? What if the airplane runs out of free blankets and headphones? I've compiled my ultimate carry-on luggage list of all my favorites items to pack when I'm going on a trip. These things have all made my flights easier and more enjoyable, so take a look!

• Books or a kindle. I am an avid reader, so having a book or two is so important for me! If you're not a book person, maybe a few magazines can keep you occupied. There are usually movies on international flights, but you can also download a few of your favorite TV shows from Netflix to watch while the plane is in the air.

• Non-bluetooth headphones with an adapter for your iPhone. If you want to watch on-flight movies with your own personal headphones, make sure you pack a pair with a cord. I know, I know, it's so old school, but your bluetooth ones just won't work, and I can't stand the free earbuds they pass out on the plane. Since you are bringing those, you might as well also pack an adapter if you have an iPhone. They cost about $10 from Walmart, Best Buy, or Target and can also help you save phone battery by not having your bluetooth running.

These Beats have become my best friend on flights. They're a little pricey but last forever!

iPhone adapter

• Phone charger. Most flights have charging USBs now, so don't forget your phone charger! Also, there's nothing worse than having a multi-hour delay and realizing you accidentally packed your chargers in your checked bag.

• Light jacket and socks. On long flights, I tend to get really cold then really hot, back and forth the entire flight. That's why I always bring a lightweight jacket that I can tie around my waste and throw on when I need it. I usually wear tennis shoes on flights, but if you're a sandal person, bring some socks for the colder moments!

• Refillable water bottle. I despise single use water bottles, so I always make sure I have my refillable water bottle hooked to my bag. Fill it up before your flight, and you won't be waiting for the flight attendant to come around with the drink cart! Just don't forget to empty it before you enter security (in Australia, I had to drink all the water inside of it because we couldn't dump it in the trash can).

This is my trusty Nalgene bottle. It costs about $11 at sporting and grocery stores.

• Lotion and chapstick. Being on an extended flight can leave you dehydrated, so pack a lotion (under 3.4 oz. or 100 mL) and a chapstick (or two, if you lose them like me!). I prefer unscented lotions on my flights so as not to irritate anyone around me who may be sensitive to smells.

• Face wipes. Getting off a flight feeling dirty is the absolute worst feeling, right under the plane's bathroom line being 20 people deep. I always pack a small package of face wipes to freshen up and feel ready for my next flight during layovers. Some brands even offer a "travel size."

These pink grapefruit wipes are my favorite because they're so refreshing. They only cost about $6!

• Snacks. A lot of people don't know this, but you CAN bring food into an airport, as long as it is not liquid exceeding the 3.4-ounce limit. Instead of purchasing expensive airport snacks, bring some of your own to save a little money! This can also be helpful if the flight attendant doesn't wake you up for meal time on the plane.

• Valuables. The last thing I always make sure to pack in my carry-on is my valuable items. Cameras, jewelry, money, special souvenirs and even some makeup! It's not necessarily because I think it might get stolen. It's because I don't want any of these things to break and I would rather have them with me so I can be in control of that. Plus, having your GoPro on the plane can lead to some awesome sunset pics!

If I had to give some general advice, I would say pack a backpack as your personal item, not a purse. You can always include your purse, but a backpack offers more compartments and places to store things, which gives you a little more versatility! You also don't have to worry about it getting ruined in the overhead compartment or if it happens to get stuffed beneath the seat in front of you.

I hope these tips help you on your next flight, and I would love to hear of some tricks you have learned over the years! Happy travels!