Flight Attendant Shared 6 Essentials She Always Packs in Her Carry-On -- Plus 6 Items You Should Never Pack

Flight attendant and life coach Aura E. Martinez shares six essentials to pack in a carry-on and six items to avoid. She favors a lightweight zip-up hoodie over bulky pullovers to ease layering and removal in cramped seats. For power on long travel days, she carries a single multipurpose charger that can power four devices and includes built‑in cables. Airplane cabins dry quickly, so travel-size skincare is recommended to stay TSA-friendly. To maximize comfort without bulk, Martinez adds a foldable travel seat and a collapsible water bottle for easy packing.