I Refuse to Sit Anywhere But the Aisle Seat—and These 8 Travel Hacks Make It Even Comfier, From $8

If you’ve ever purposely sat away from your friends and family on an eight-hour-plus flight just to get your preferred seat on a plane, then you’re in good company. As someone who feels claustrophobic wearing a turtleneck sweater and hates asking seatmates to stand to use the restroom, I am an avid advocate for sitting in the aisle seat when flying—and packing the right travel accessories to make it super comfortable.

I have spent the extra money and used my precious frequent flier miles to secure my favored aisle seat. On average, I fly every couple of months, and I take my in-flight comfort seriously. Whether my goal is to sleep through a long-haul flight with a silky eye mask or read the book on my TBR list with a clip-on light, I always pack products that will help me achieve these goals in total comfort. No matter your travel budget, everyone deserves to enjoy their flight; these eight products will make your aisle seat in economy feel like a first-class ride. 

Bagsmart Large Electronics Organizer Travel Case

I once lost my phone on a flight back from Paris to New York. Upon arrival, I was luckily able to look under my seatmate’s seat and find it—but not before flying six hours without my device. Since then, I have always traveled with this Bagsmart case. It keeps my cords from tangling with its five elastic hoops, and it always serves as a good reminder to pack any power outlet converters I may need. This case also keeps my tech organized at my seat, so I don’t need to rush and put my items away if someone in the row needs to get out. Available in six colors, this case will become a staple in your luggage collection and make aisle seat life much easier.

Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan

Even while sitting in the aisle seat, I can sometimes still feel claustrophobic. One of the worst parts when this happens is feeling too hot, which is why I also pack my handheld mini fan. Available in six colors, this fan helps you keep your body temperature regulated, whether your plane feels stuffy or your seatmate is hogging the ceiling vents. This fan also includes a flashlight and a backup power bank, so you can use it to charge your other devices, like your phone. It offers up to 19 hours of power between charges, so you won’t have to worry about it losing juice mid-flight. You can either hold the fan in your hand or prop it up on your fold-out tray to use it hands-free. 

Travel Pillow

Something I never want to happen on a flight is to wake up with my head on a stranger’s shoulder. That’s why my Saireider travel pillow is always on my packing list. I bought it for its removable and washable cover (getting sick on vacation from plane germs is best to avoid), but I fell in love with its cushiony memory foam material. I utilize this design feature by folding it into a comfortable position that works to support my neck, while keeping me facing away from whoever is sitting in the middle seat.

Quince Mulberry Silk Beauty Sleep Mask

The predictable downside of not sitting in the window seat is not having control over the window shade. There is nothing that can ruin trying to sleep through a redeye like the sunrise hitting your face. To fix this problem, I treated myself to Quince’s mulberry silk beauty sleep mask. The hypoallergenic material feels great on my skin, and I know the silk won’t rub against and damage my hair, even when worn for hours. With 12 colors to choose from, I bought one that matches my favorite travel hoodie so I can feel somewhat put together and chic even if I’m snoring in my seat.

Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock

Start your next tropical vacation even before you get off the plane with the Basic Concepts airplane foot hammock. I will admit, I’ve had my foot almost run over by a beverage cart when I’ve fallen asleep in the aisle seat. This hammock is the perfect solution for keeping my feet tucked out of the aisle from other passengers, busy flight attendants, and bar carts while I snooze. It’s easy to hang and adjust to whichever height is most comfortable for your legs.

Rechargeable Clip-on Booklight

There are times when you just can’t fall asleep on your flight, even when the lights are out. During these quiet hours, I love to read my book; however, I don’t want to reach over my middle seatmate and turn on a reading light that may disturb those around me. Instead, my rechargeable clip-on reading light solves this issue. I love the different light settings: there are three color temperature options and LED lights with adjustable brightness. It also has a USB charging port, so it’s convenient to recharge once you use up the battery life.

Rothy’s The Casual Clog

Part of the deal of sitting in the aisle seat is that you will be asked to stand up to let your seatmates out at various times. This is why I always wear my Rothy’s Casual Clogs when I fly. The style works with almost all climates, so they pair well with whichever wardrobe I packed for my trip. They’re super easy to slip on and off when you need to get up and out of your seat while flying. (Not to mention, they make going through TSA a breeze.) I also love the arch support, so my feet don’t hurt, even if I have to wait in a long line at customs or to hail a taxi. The best part? They’re washable, so when they need some refreshing, you can toss them in the washing machine.

Bombas Women’s Everyday Compression Socks

One of the better perks of the aisle seat is that you can get up whenever you want (if the seatbelt light is off, of course) and stretch your legs to get your blood circulating and avoid any cramps from sitting still for hours on end. To make the most of this freedom of movement, I wear compression socks to avoid any pain or swelling in my legs and feet. This pair from Bombas runs in sizes small to large (which covers shoe sizes 4 to 13 in US women’s) and comes in nine different colorways. These socks are a medium level compression, so they provide support without feeling overly restrictive.

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