14 Things You Should Never Bring on a Plane, and What Flight Attendants Say to Pack Instead

"If you've ever noticed a flight attendant giving you some serious side eye, it's probably because you packed one of their no-go items. You know, like a "carry-on" that's not quite carry-on size, or odorous food like salmon or broccoli the whole plane can smell. Hopefully, you're well aware of what not to wear on a plane. Still, there are plenty of other things that flight attendants, and travel writers like myself, have learned over the years not to bother bringing on board."

"For example, you'll never find me trying to fit a full-size pillow in my beloved Away carry-on, even if it's my favorite. Alternatively, I pack one of these travel editor-approved travel pillows that takes up a third of the space and doesn't infringe upon my neighbor's personal space. I also don't pack all of my credit cards and money in my carry-on and personal item."

Many common packing mistakes cause inconvenience and annoy fellow passengers. Oversized carry-ons, odorous foods, full-size pillows, and poorly sealed toiletry containers create space, cleanliness, and comfort issues. Compact, leakproof, magnetic Cadence containers replace cheap plastic toiletry bottles and reduce spills. Collapsible or pack-down duffel bags such as the Dakine EQ save space compared with rigid extra bags. Travel-size, compressible pillows avoid encroaching on neighbors. Storing some payment methods in checked luggage protects against losing all funds if a carry-on is left behind. Fourteen practical swaps and product recommendations optimize packing efficiency and inflight courtesy.

Read at Travel + Leisure