Airplane Travel Tech Survival Kit

I have just finished a couple of summer vacations involving flights anywhere from 2 hours to 5 hours long.  Not only have the amenities in coach class shrunk, so has the legroom and ability to stretch. 

I felt packed like a sardine. I also noticed that flights are very full this time of year, making for very cramped quarters.

Being a techie…and an optimist…I have accumulated various gadgets in my airplane travel tech survival kit to create a personal oasis that makes flights more bearable…and do I dare say, more enjoyable?  

Airplane Travel Tech Survival Kit

Here’s a list of gadgets I suggest you collect for your own airplane travel tech survival kit:

1.  Airline App

I have learned that it is valuable to download the app of the airlines you are flying ahead of time. Preferably at home where your WiFi is faster but you can do it at the airport if you forget. 

Downloading an airline’s app benefits you in the following ways:

1. It makes checking into to your flight easier
2. You usually receive flight updates and notifications
3. You can get your boarding passes right within the app to be shown at Security and before boarding your flight. (Note: I recommend taking a screenshot of the boarding pass in case your mobile data or the WiFi fails you)
4. More airlines are skipping the expensive LED screens on their aircraft and instead opting to show free entertainment on passengers’ mobile devices.  To watch the movies/TV shows you’ll need to use their app and have it downloaded before the flight

2.  Headphones

Sometimes the airlines will pass out free earbuds, but not often.  I always have my own but found earbuds can hurt my ears after hours of listening.  I now use my 808 foldable headphones when watching movies in the air. 

They fold up very nicely in their case and I always have them packed in my travel backpack.  Headphones are great for long flights because they are very comfortable on my ears.

3.  Wireless Earbuds

Although I prefer headphones, for shorter flights and waiting time before boarding, I use my wireless Jabra elite 65t earbuds. 

The battery charge lasts a long time and they come in a nice compact case that actually acts as a charger, so you can wirelessly charge them without need for a plug.  Best yet, the sound is great, I like to use them to listen to music on my phone.

4.  Phone or Tablet Holder

I have tried numerous times to prop up my tablet or phone on the tray table or on my lap leaning on the seat in front of me.  It works somewhat well until the person in the seat in front of me shifts or gets up. 

The Filofax eniTAB360 Tablet Holder is a great addition to any airplane travel tech survival kit. It is lightweight, holds tablets and phones well, and can fold down flat to easily pack it away.  Because of its hinge, you can angle your phone or tablet to your liking. 

On my last flight, there was a sturdy magazine holder at eye level, so I extended my eniTAB360 to about 180 degrees and tucked it into the magazine holder.  It worked out perfectly holding my phone at eye level without the need to strain my neck by looking down.

5.  USB Mini Fan

OK, I know this is a little excessive, but hey it works great.  My son brought his mini USB fan on the plane with him on one flight and I think it’s a great idea. 

You can plug it into a USB portable battery charger, place it on the tray table, and you have an ongoing fan…even when the overhead air conditioning vents aren’t working before takeoff.  Now you can get more air and stay cooler.

The bigger the fan the more air.  My son loves his mini USB fan but if you prefer something less bulky (or less obvious), a mini flexible neck fan will do the trick!

6.  Portable Chargers

With all this power, you’re going to need a portable charger to keep you charged during the flight.  A portable charger like the Ventev powercell 6000 backup battery charger works great because it has two USB ports available.

You can charge both your phone and power the USB mini fan at the same time. With it’s 6,000mAh battery, your gadgets will charge and last throughout the flight.

As a side note, if you use a phone with a USB-C port, like my Samsung Note 8, my fave portable charger is the Ventev 3015c charger.  It keeps my phone charged and its small and lightweight form factor makes it easy to keep in my pocket when roaming the airport.

7.  Netflix App

If you’re a Netflix App user, you need to download the Netflix app on your phone or tablet.  After logging in, you can search for movies you can download onto your mobile device, then they will be available for you to watch without the need for an Internet connection.

Learn how to download movies here. Although Netflix changes their content on an ongoing basis, here’s a list that The Verge put together of good Netflix movies to download.  I like downloading the cooking shows to watch as well as some good movies to watch on flights.

8.  eReader

Sometimes a long flight is just what you need to get lost in your book.  Either an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet will do the trick.  You can bring along tons of books and magazines in one compact device.

Love to Read? See our article, 9 Free eBook Library Resources for Your Family for resources on where you can borrow e-books and e-magazines for free using your library card.

Of course, there are other items besides tech to include in your airplane tech survival kit like:

• snacks
• chewing gum
• hand sanitizer 
• nail file
• lip balm
• lightweight jacket
• sleep blindfold
• neck pillow
• charging cords

Yes, it can add up to carry all of these items onboard.  Pick and choose which ones make the most sense for you.  The airline’s app, Netflix app, and Kindle eReader can all be on your phone, saving you the need to bring a Kindle and tablet.

I recommend you use one bag (or the bag that comes with your foldable headphones) to carry your headphones, earbuds, phone/tablet holder, fan, and charger.  Then you just need to reach into your bag and take out this smaller bag to easily set up your airplane travel tech oasis.

You’re really going to enjoy your next flight.  With these items close at hand, you’ll find yourself totally immersed in your entertainment rather than focused on the person encroaching upon your territory or the noisy child in the back row.

Happy Flying!

*Over the years, I have been given the 808 foldable headphones, Jabra Elite 65t wireless earbuds, eniTAB 360 tablet holder, Venteev chargers, and the Kindle Paperwhite either as gifts from companies or as samples to review.  I have compiled them together to use as my go-to airplane travel tech survival kit and wanted to share them with you.