Sorry, not sorry: I’m “that” person who usually refuses to switch seats on flights (especially when I have the window seat). And even with recent headlines inspiring online debates on whether or not it’s okay to ask to switch seats with someone, I’m still a staunch supporter of staying in my assigned seat, specifically when I’ve paid to be in it.

However, despite my strong stance on the matter, there have still been times when my seat assignment was out of my control. From filling in for an exit row passenger who couldn’t provide evacuation assistance in the event of an emergency to having my coveted window seat reassigned to an off-duty flight crew member, I’ve had to navigate my fair share of unwanted seat swaps before takeoff.

Over the years, I’ve figured out that the best way to deal with it is by preparing as though it’ll happen on every flight. Packing just a handful of in-flight travel accessories, like a customizable neck pillow or a light-blocking eye mask, can help make the aisle or middle seat much more comfortable. Keep scrolling for the eight products I trust for making unwanted plane seat switch-ups no big deal—all under $30 at Amazon. 

Travel Essentials That Make Every Flight Comfortable

Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow

Window seat, middle seat, aisle seat—a twistable memory foam travel pillow is my ultimate hack for being comfortable in any spot on the plane. On sale for 20 percent off, this Dot&Dot travel pillow has a bendable metal core that can be twisted and turned into countless different positions to find the perfect level of support for your head and neck. 

When I’m in the window seat, I like to twist into a Z shape, propping one of the flat sides between me and the side of the plane, and if I’m in the middle or aisle seat, I like to use it as a classic donut-shaped neck pillow to help provide a peripheral visual barrier between me and my seatmates. 

Soundcore P30i by Anker Noise-cancelling Earbuds

When I’m in the window seat, the roar of the plane’s engines is usually enough to drown out any conversations happening in other rows. But thanks to the foot traffic and proximity to other rows, the aisle seat can be particularly noisy. I always make sure to have a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones juiced up and ready to go, so I can tune out background noise—regardless of what seat I end up in. 

These Soundcore P30i earbuds, on sale for under $40, have earned glowing reviews from jet-setters for their sound quality and ability to block out sound. “I have used them on several flights now and they are great for traveling,” writes one shopper. “They fit my ears great, they cancel out the noise of the plane excellently, and sound amazing. And at a fraction of the price of an Apple or Samsung product, I think Anker provides the best bang for buck earbuds on the market. 

Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask

Besides the views and having a wall to lean up against while napping, one of my favorite things about the window seat is being able to control when the window shade goes down. I’m a firm believer that once we’ve reached cruising altitude, that shade should go down and stay down until we’ve begun our descent, so that other passengers won’t be disturbed by the blinding sunlight.

Not everyone subscribes to this line of thinking, however, which is why I’ve learned to pack a sleeping eye mask in the event I end up getting transferred to a middle or aisle seat. This Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask is the real deal: Nearly 75,000 shoppers have given it five stars for its ability to block out light while being comfortable enough to wear for 12 hours on end. 

Cluci Crossbody Bag

Getting stuck with the bulkhead seat has its pros and cons. Sure, being in the first row of your cabin means you get some additional leg room, but it also means you won’t get any underseat space in front of you to store your personal item bag. To prevent yourself from making a zillion trips to the overhead bin during your flight, I recommend packing a smaller “go” bag with all of your in-flight essentials inside. 

For shorter trips, a sling bag that can hold your power bank, lip balm, headphones, and a book should be totally sufficient—but for longer trips, you’ll want to bring something more substantial. This Cluci Crossbody Bag checks all of my boxes for such flights. Made with a lightweight, water-resistant nylon material, this travel bag comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, two dedicated water bottle pockets, three giant zippered pockets, and a roomy main compartment that’s large enough to hold a tablet, a light sweater, and any other long-haul flight essentials you might need. 

Eversnug 2-in-1 Travel Blanket Pillow

Blame it on my hypersensitivity or my lingering fear of germs post-pandemic: I can’t stand being touched, even when it’s an accident. Avoiding accidental brushes with strangers, especially while sitting in the middle or aisle seat, is practically impossible, but having just one layer between me and everyone else can be sufficient for maintaining my sanity. I love curling up with my own travel blanket for this reason; they help me stay cozy once the cabin temperature begins to dip in the air, and they provide a barrier between me and my seat neighbors. Win-win! 

Perilogics Airplane Phone Holder

Because space on flights is so limited, I usually feel like I have to keep my elbows and arms close to my chest while sitting in the middle seat. That usually means contorting my limbs into weird, uncomfortable positions while trying to watch a movie on my phone. A phone holder mount resolves this issue. This one from Perilogics, $25, clips directly onto the tray table so you can watch shows hands-free, preventing you from twisting and turning to find a sweet spot. 

Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan

As someone who values her personal space, getting stuck in the middle seat can be too much to bear. Being in such close quarters with strangers can be enough to throw me into a hot, sweaty panic, especially when the plane is stuck taxiing on the runway. Airflow can provide tons of relief in these situations, and when the overhead AC just isn’t cutting it, a handheld fan—like this rechargeable option from Jisulife—can be a lifesaver. 

Nooncrazy Airplane Foot Hammock

On sale for $14, this adjustable foot hammock hangs onto your tray table to provide an elevated swing for your feet, helping to reduce swelling and keep your toes from feeling cramped underneath the seat in front of you. Not only does it give travel-weary feet a much-needed break, but it can also help you avoid being knocked into by the beverage cart or other passengers while sitting in the aisle seat. Having a dedicated space for your feet that feels good and isn’t restrictive will prevent you from needing to stretch your leg out into the aisle.

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Unfortunately for travelers, this change is not as simple as the age-old advice of following the schedule of the destination you’re headed to. That’s where the Timeshifter app comes in handy, creating customized light exposure/avoidance plans based on your specific travel itinerary, usual sleep patterns (are you a morning person or a night owl?), and several other factors. “Light—or the absence of it—is the most important signal for the circadian clock and the only way to truly control it,” Beyer-Clausen says, citing multiple studies. And once the brain is synced with your new time zone, you’ll be naturally alert during the day and sleep better at night.

If your personal plan calls for sleeping on a plane, that can be easier said than done, but there are ways to put the odds in your favor. Beyer-Clausen recommends packing a comfortable eye mask and using meditation apps like Headspace or MyNoise to play relaxing music or nature sounds that can help you fall asleep.

Shop more sleep mask recommendations.

Prepare entertainment in advance

Beth Santos, founder of women’s travel community Wanderful and author of solo travel guide Wander Woman, leaves nothing to chance when it comes to staying busy on a flight. “I believe strongly in the ‘just in case,’” she says. “It’s when you’re planning for that in-flight entertainment system to work that it won’t, so I’ll download movies to watch offline, stock up on podcasts, and download a book or two to my tablet [before the flight].”

This is especially important for Santos when her three young children are in tow so she creates individual plane kits that include fun snacks, a journal, and other activities that don’t have small pieces or cause a mess.

Although airlines often offer a flimsy set of headphones to use with the in-seat TVs, noise-canceling headphones can also double as earplugs for sleeping. If you prefer something smaller, be sure to pack this tiny transmitter that connects the in-seat TV to your AirPods or any other Bluetooth-enabled earbuds.

Santos’s eldest children have foldable Bluetooth headphones that are easy to pack, but she also swears by headphone headbands for children who are too young, or perhaps too fidgety, to wear the regular kind.

Shop more noise-canceling headphone recommendations.

Stay hydrated

The low humidity levels inside an airplane cabin make dehydration a common problem for passengers, so “bring your own water bottle and make it a large one,” says Henley Vazquez, co-founder of tech-forward travel agency Fora. “You don’t want to rely on flight attendants to bring you water, and you want to stay hydrated.” Some frequent fliers abstain from drinking alcohol and caffeine leading up to a flight to avoid extra dehydration, too.

Shop more reusable water bottle recommendations.

Practice self care

The importance of hydration applies to your skin as well. “The dry air in the cabin is particularly harsh on your skin, stripping the moisture barrier of its oils,” says Giacomo Piva, travel industry analyst and cofounder of luggage storage network Radical Storage. “Carry and apply moisturizer at regular intervals throughout the flight, especially for your hands…[and] you’ll reach your destination with plump skin and less irritation.”

Piva even encourages travelers to treat the flight like their own personal spa, using a thick face mask for extra moisture, along with their favorite beauty products.

Refresh before getting off the plane

With lost luggage becoming an increasingly common issue, it’s always a good idea to pack a few outfits in your carry-on just in case. But this advice also serves another purpose.

“It makes a big difference when you land to be able to change into something fresh and put yourself together,” says Vazquez. Packing a small toiletry bag with some basics—like a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, perfume, and eye drops—goes a long way toward starting your trip on the right foot.

Shop more Dopp kit recommendations.

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This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.