6 Editor-Approved Carry-On Essentials

Best for: Sleeping in style

While I can’t vouch for this sleep mask’s ability to send you into a blissful slumber (as sadly, I can’t sleep on planes), what this mask does do, is provide a silky soft blockade between me and the outside world. As someone who’s conditioned my brain to the wonders of a sleep mask (on land), there’s no travelling without it for me, and this contoured version equals top-tier comfort for my tired eyes. Plus, if you’re anything like me and are constantly rummaging around in the bottom of your bag in search of your carry-on essentials, then the festive print makes it easier to spot.

Best for: Zoning out

I’m definitely partial to my AirPods when on the ground, but when I’m travelling, there’s nothing that makes me panic more than the thought of losing them, so I tend to leave them behind for safekeeping. Enter the over-the-ear substitutes – the perfect combination of noise-cancelling and comfort. With a 55-hour battery life – enough to withstand the longest of long haul flights – and up to 9 hours from just a 30-minute charge, the new Dyson OnTrac headphones are an investment worth making. I love the customisable ear caps (khaki for me, thanks) and the cushioned strap that’s one of the only models on the market that doesn’t leave my head aching after hours of use. Plus, there’s no need to swap these out when it comes time to switching on the entertainment with the handy Dyson in-flight adaptor.

Best for: Compact convenience

A place for everything, and everything in its place. As far as my toiletries are concerned, if I can’t fit them into a single bag – they’re not coming on board! I only recently discovered the lifechanging convenience of a hanging toiletry case, which seemingly designed with some kind of Mary Poppins-esque magic, manages to be both ludicrously capacious and compact. Go figure! Whatever stitching sorcery is going on here is not for me to judge, but its mix of function and form had me hooked from the very first use, and being able to take it back and forth from the minute cabin bathroom with ease is always a win!

Best for: The smart traveller

Don’t leave home without slipping your Mastercard World or World Elite into your travel wallet. Packed with benefits, including free travel insurance, hotel memberships, and airport lounge access, they will streamline your sojourn, as well as make it more luxurious. Among myriad other benefits, One Dines Free gives you one complimentary main course when dining at partner restaurants across Asia Pacific. There’s also 10 per cent off selected in-destination activities and selected transport with Klook, Loyalty Status Match at your accommodation and generous discounts at selected partner hotels around the world with GHA DISCOVERY and Agoda.