22 Picks for a Fuss-Free Flight

In the Bag

No need to fiddle around in the overhead bin mid-flight with this handy carryall (which qualifies as your “personal item”). Ample space means you can keep all your travel must-haves under the seat in front of you.
Away The Everywhere Bag, $265, awaytravel.com

Comfort Zone

Does coach cramp your style? This foot sling will help. Hook its straps around the tray table in front of you and place your feet in the hammock to prevent and relieve leg and back pain.
Opaceluuk Airplane Footrest, $24, amazon.ca

On long-haul flights, your legs and feet might swell and ache. Try these (surprisingly cute!) compression socks, which boost circulation in your calves to relieve discomfort and can help prevent blood clots.
Unisex Checkered Compression Socks, $32, masdelinc.com 

Now That’s Entertainment

Sick of Just for Laughs reruns? Turn off the built-in screen, hook this mount onto the tray table, slip in your phone and watch downloaded shows hands-free.
Perilogics Universal Airplan in Flight Phone Mount, $22, amazon.ca

Pull down your tray table and wake up the person next to you—it’s time for Bananagrams. Form words using all your tiles before your opponent and you win. Loser moves to the middle seat.
Bananagrams, $45, amazon.ca

A frothy beach read can get you into vacation mode before your feet even hit the sand. Crack open this romance novel by Canadian author Carley Fortune and the flight will fly by.
Meet Me at the Lake, $25, indigo.ca

Clean Conscience

A face mask with a tight fit and good seal can reduce your chances of catching whatever’s ailing the sneezer seated nearby. These KN95 respirators are both comfortable and breathable.
Canada Strong BreatheTeq KN95, $18, canadastrong.ca

What’s the germiest spot: the headrest? Armrests? Seatbelt? They’re all worth a quick pass with these biodegradable wipes, which kill 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses.
Attitude All-Purpose Disinfectant Wipes, $7, well.ca

This travel-sized hand sanitizer is formulated with aloe juice and glycerine to keep skin soft and hydrated.
Province Apothecary Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, $8, thedetoxmarket.ca

Organize your germ-fighting kit (and any other plane essentials) with this packing cube set.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Cube Set, $60, eaglecreek.ca 

Sleep on It

This is not your typical U-shaped neck pillow. Made with bendable memory foam, this travel pillow can be twisted any which way to support your head, back, shoulder, or spine.
Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow, $34, amazon.ca

Water Works

Ditch the plastic water bottles for this foldable one that can be rolled up and stashed away at security, then filled at a fountain before boarding.
Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle – 1L/33 oz with Carabiner, $19, amazon.ca

We lose about eight ounces of water per hour when we’re in the air. Nuun’s electrolyte tablets can help replenish some of that. Dissolve one in water and it’ll flavour it, too, so you’ll be more inclined to gulp it down.
Nuun Hydration Sport Tropical, $10, well.ca

Roll With It

Keep your most precious cargo with you on board. We love this spacious carry-on, which still comes in under most airlines’ size limits.
Away The Carry-On,m$345, awaytravel.com

Discreet AirTags can be tucked in your suitcases and tracked on your phone, so you can always see where your bags have ventured without you.
AirTag, $39, apple.com

Should your case go wandering (sigh), a brightly coloured luggage tag with all your contact information will help ensure its eventual return.
Luggage Tag – Chartreuse, $15, indigo.ca

An easy way to identify your bag on the luggage carousel (and prevent a case of mistaken identity) is to decorate it with stickers. These cheery ones feel just right.
VGG 100 Pcs Boho Aesthetic Stickers Minimalist Abstract Line, $10, amazon.ca 

Fresh Faced

To look well-rested on arrival, apply these eye patches mid-flight—they’ll help brighten and de-puff the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Klorane Smoothing and Soothing Eye Patches with Organic Cornflower, $38, shoppersdrugmart.ca 

Plane air is notoriously dry—it has a humidity of only 10 to 20 percent, compared to ground air at 30 to 60 percent. Keep your skin healthy and hydrated with this mask, formulated with hyaluronic acid.
Dr. Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution,™ $9, sephora.com

Protect your lips with this treatment that contains hydrating salicornia, hyaluronic acid and papaya enzymes.
ILIA Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment, $34, sephora.com

Next: How One Woman Found Herself—and Friends—Through Travel