What I Pack in My Backpack (Personal Item) for Every Flight

If you’ve ever boarded a plane and immediately realized the one thing you need is buried in the overhead bin… this post is for you.

This is exactly what I pack in my backpack personal item every time I fly. If I’m bringing a carry-on suitcase, that’s reserved strictly for clothes and destination items. My backpack is for airport and inflight essentials only—everything I want within reach from curb to landing.

🎒 My Personal Item Packing List

• Water bottle

• Kindle (or e-reader)

• Headphones (noise canceling on!)

• Tech pouch with chargers + extra battery

• Kleenex

• Medications

• Snacks

• Hairbrush

• Pen

• Small crochet project

• Sanitizer wipes

• Shawl/scarf/sweater

• Neck fan

• Seatback organizer

• Glasses cleaner

• Mints

• AirTag or luggage tracker

👉 My phone always goes in my pocket. More on that below.

✈️ How I Use My Backpack

I like to have something to do that doesn’t require full focus, so I bring my Kindle and a small crochet project. It keeps my hands busy without needing a tray table.

Noise-canceling headphones are a must. They’re a lifesaver if you’re seated near a loud area—or next to chatty neighbors.

Snacks and water are non-negotiable. Airline service isn’t guaranteed anymore, and I’ve been very grateful for my own snacks during long delays. Planes are incredibly dry, so I always keep hand lotion and lip balm handy.

And because I’m always either too hot or too cold, I bring both a shawl and a neck fan. Prepared for anything.

🧳 My Seatback Organizer Trick

I preload my seatback organizer with the things I’ll use most:

• Kindle

• Headphones

• Phone charger or battery pack

• Hand lotion & lip balm

• Kleenex

Once I get to my seat, I slide it into the seatback pocket and stow my backpack. Everything I need is right in front of me—and it makes deplaning easier because I’m less likely to leave something behind.

👜 My Secret Weapon: The Crossbody Bag

I always pack a small crossbody purse inside my backpack to stay within airline rules (1 personal item + 1 carry-on).

Inside it:

• Passport

• ID

• Credit cards & a little cash

• Sunglasses

• Reading glasses

• Hand lotion & lip balm

These are the hardest things to replace if lost, and having them in a purse makes paying for things easier than digging through a backpack.

And finally…

👉 My phone stays in my pocket at all times. If we ever have to deplane unexpectedly and leave bags behind, my phone stays with me.

To get your free printable checklist, just email me LindseyAdventures@gmail.com and in the subject line put Packing List. I'll send it right out!