After 30+ Years of Travel, My Mom Swears by These 15 Ways to Fly More Comfortably-and Now I Do, Too

"After more than 30 years of traveling, my mom, Randi Marder, has quietly mastered the art of flying comfortably. She's taught me that the difference between a stressful travel day and a smooth one often comes down to choosing the right travel essentials before you ever board the plane. "Setting the tone for easy travel starts with prepping for a comfortable flight," she told me-advice she's followed for decades. From what she wears to what she keeps within reach, every item in her carry-on"

""Download a good book before your flight," she always says. "I just finished Theo of Golden and highly recommend it." When she used to travel with physical books, she'd pack three or four at a time, sometimes in a separate bag, because she reads so quickly. The Kindle solved that instantly. It's lightweight, holds thousands of books, and the glare-free screen means you can read without turning on the overhead light (your seatmate will thank you)."

Randi Marder has traveled for more than 30 years and focuses on preparing travel essentials that create comfortable flights and smoother arrivals. The strategy emphasizes packing smarter rather than more, prioritizing items worn and kept within reach in a carry-on. Recommended items include an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite for lightweight, glare-free reading without overhead lights; an open-front cardigan for easy layering; polished-but-comfy Spanx pull-on pants reusable during a trip; and lightweight New Balance sneakers for walking after landing. Small, affordable swaps and thoughtful packing choices can significantly reduce travel stress and improve post-flight comfort.

Read at Travel + Leisure