The best flight of the year

Hey, Johannes from GearUpYourLife here.

Flying is probably the most exhausting, complicated – and at the same time, the most rewarding – part of traveling.
Especially on long-haul economy flights, I used to struggle a lot: cramped space, neck pain, boredom.
But then I found a solution that didn’t make my flight luxurious – but 10 times more comfortable.

Today, I’m sharing it with you:
My Personal Item Guide for the plane.

And here’s a statement upfront:
You don’t need a giant backpack under the seat in front of you.
On the contrary – most of the time, that just makes the flight worse.

For over a year now, I’ve been traveling with just one larger sling bag on planes.
In my case: the Nayosmart Sling Bag – it has enough space for tech, snacks, and toiletries, but stays compact and super lightweight.

It’s like a mini office on your lap – with room for an iPad, power bank, snacks, and a toothbrush.

Inside, I pack my 10 absolute non-negotiables for a more relaxed flight – here’s the list:

1: 🪫 Mini power bank (under 10,000mAh, flight approved)
Nothing’s worse than 3% battery on landing – or when the entertainment system dies.
This ultra-compact power bank with USB-C & USB-A saves the day (and your podcast).✈️ TSA approved and ready for takeoff:

2: 🧦 Compression socks (ultra-light & breathable)
Sitting still for 10 hours? Your legs hate it.
Compression socks help with swollen feet, prevent thrombosis – and just feel better when you get off the plane.

3: 💤 Inflatable neck pillow
I used to hate them – until I found one that doesn’t kill my neck vertebrae.
Inflatable = space saver. Better sleep = less jetlag.

My tip: get one with side support.

4: 🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones
The difference between “flight” and “spa session.”
I don’t just use them for music but also to just enjoy silence. And no – airline headphones don’t count.

5: 🍬 Candy or gum
Sounds basic, but is pure gold during takeoff and landing.
Pressure equalization + a bit of sugar + something to keep your brain busy.

My go-to: Fisherman’s Friend or Mentos.

6: 📲 One e-book on phone or Kindle
I never bring a whole book – but a good novel or travel story saves me during delays or Wi-Fi outages.
Kindle works great in the dark, too.

7: 💧 Collapsible bottle + 2 snacks
Water is expensive at airports – and often scarce on planes.
Foldable bottle + nuts or granola bars = a small lifehack for energy & mood.

Heads up: empty through security, then refill.

8: 🧼 Wipes + toothbrush + mini toothpaste
After 8+ hours, otherwise, I feel like a mix between a desert camel and a teenager after a LAN party.

A quick freshen-up + brushing = a new me.

9: 🦶 Footrest for the plane (foldable)
Game changer.
A small, foldable footrest levels your legs and stops you from sitting like origami.

Especially brilliant on night flights.

But before I packed all this – oh boy, I made so many mistakes, you wouldn’t believe it:
From a 55L backpack under the seat to toothpaste in the checked bag. 😅

That’s why I made a video about it today:
→ 13 Things I’ll Never Bring on a Plane Again (and What’s Better Instead)
Check it out – I’m curious what you think!

🔜 PS:
Next issue brings a huge announcement:
A tool that saves you a whole week of packing stress with just one click + 15 minutes reading.
Stay tuned – Gear Vault is coming. 🚀

And one last thought to leave you with:

“The flight isn’t the adventure. But it’s the gate to all of them.”
Make yourself comfortable. And enjoy the journey.

Thanks for reading –
hope to catch you in the comments under today’s video!
See you soon,
Johannes

Wish you all the best ✈️