New Travel Hacks from Regular Passengers in 2026

I’ve been flying for 40 years now. This year for the first time my personal item that I stowed under the seat in front of me became wet. The previous person in that seat (or the seat in front of me) must’ve spilled a drink. Now I carry a plastic trash bag with me and put my personal item in the trash bag before I put it on the floor.

I use disposable grocery bags to pack my shoes and anything else that might be dirty. This way I don’t have to buy anything, since I already have tons of grocery bags.

As an older F - with white hair since my 40s - I feel compelled to suggest those of us who are able-bodied and don't need extra time to move, etc take our turns. I travel none months if the year and see - and hear from friends in the travel industry - there's extensive abuse of pre-boarding. Many people legitimately need that help, and I support their right to it. If I want early boarding or a premium seat, I will pay for it.

I use a packing cube with spare clothes, in my carryon, for a lumbar support. For us back sufferers, it can make all the difference!

We always pack a few Starbucks gift cards and individually wrapped chocolates in our carry on to give to the flight crew as a thank you for working so hard and caring for us. They absolutely appreciate it and always lookout for us in return even though we never expect anything in return, except it makes our trip knowing we did something nice for them 😊

If you pack a travel mug, cut a kitchen sponge into quarters and add dish soap. Let it dry out and put it in a baggie. You don’t really need a whole sponge for just one mug and at the end of the trip you can toss it. Since the soap is just on the sponge, it doesn’t count as a liquid. Also, if you need something kept cold, freeze some grapes and use that as your cold pack. They won’t count as a liquid and when they thaw, you have a snack.

Several years ago at Dollar Tree, I purchased a small collapsible bowl intended to carry to put water in for a pet on a trip. Packs flat. I use it for my jewelry and any small items. I like having a designated spot to keep my jewelry at night. It is bright yellow, so easy to spot as I'm scanning the room for final departure.

I know this sounds weird, but it is such a great idea. I use the doggy poop bags for my shoes. It’s a lot less expensive than shower caps if the shoes are small like flip-flops, etc. output them in one bag but if I have larger shoes, I just put one shoe in each bag and pack them around the edges of my suitcase

One gallon ziploc for the plane seat pocket, so your stuff (iPad, ear buds, etc) is protected from all of the crud. At the end of the flight, put your trash in it and hand to flight attendant.

I wear mens cargo pants when I travel. Once I have gone through security, I can then put my insulin, cables, headphones and other things that I need during the flight in my cargo pockets and don't have to worry about having to pull out my underseat bag to get things out.

Let's all agree to stop using the word "hack" and go back to just using "tips" "ideas" "suggestions" "tricks" etc.

here is a new tip..alwas photograph your luggage, but also you can photograph your boarding pass and luggage receipts...if you cannot find in your purse you have no problems with the photo available on your phone

Healthcare worker tip, pack the little alcohol prep pads, they are absolutely the best armpit rescue device. Very cheap and you can get them at any pharmacy. They don't take up very much room and they are multi-purpose use. Instant hand sanitizer, instant disinfectant wipe and the best thing you can use on your armpits to get rid of any Bo. Never leave home without them. It's better than scented hand sanitizer because then you don't have to worry about setting off the asthmatic in the seat next to you 😊

I was seated in the middle seat with the aisle seat hogging both armrests. The person in the aisle seat obviously hadn’t flown much and asked the flight attendant for the same snack I was eating. I had extra in my bag so I gave him a pkg. of chips. I then had the arm rest for the rest of the flight. It pays to be nice and pack accordingly for your seat mates.

Great hacks. If you're going to travel to Australia, please buy your sunscreen here. Our sun is brutal & sunscreen made overseas will not give you any sun protection, regardless of what the spf says on the bottle. Skin cancer is not a joke.

I never pack jewelry, I wear a watch but diamonds, etc. are left at home…no worries for me regarding jewelry.

Tip: lysol type wipe individiual packets that remove viruses I use as soon as seated on every surface before take off. Share with a seat neighbor and I found it creates a calmer atmosphere.

I bring a small, empty spray bottle. When I get to my destination, I find the closest small grocer and buy a cheap 50 ml bottle of vodka. I mix a 50:50 vodka/water combination and mist the clothes I plan to re-wear before hanging to air. It kills stinky bacteria and allows more wears / less clothes in your bag.

What a great community you have built. All the tips are so helpful

I am in a cold climate. I wear a light puffer jacket to the airport. I zip it in a compression cube. It can be used as a pillow on the plane