I Average 300,000 Flight Miles a Year-Here Are the 15 Essentials You Can't Travel Without in 2026

"I wanted to be home for Christmas and New Year's Eve this year, so in December I only logged 10,000 miles between eight different flights. That may seem like a hefty number of miles to some, but sadly, that's a slow month for me. As a travel writer, I'm used to flying upwards of 300,000 miles a year; in fact, I fly so often that steep airport prices now seem normal to me."

"I've traveled with both vacuum-sealed travel bags as well as standard packing cubes, but these compression cubes marry the best of both worlds. They have the defined structure of standard packing cubes, but can be compressed down via an external side zipper in order to take up a fraction of their original space. While they're a bit pricey at $51, they're made of a high-grade nylon twill that doesn't tear easily, so you can plan on using them for years to come."

A frequent traveler who logs hundreds of thousands of miles annually narrowed a 15-item wishlist of travel essentials available on Amazon for 2026. The selection prioritizes durability, space efficiency, and comfort to save money, time, and ease packing. Highlighted items include a Delsey Paris carry-on with reinforced zippers, Aerotrunk compression packing cubes that offer structure plus compressibility, and a Hushing portable white noise machine for noisy travel companions. Additional recommendations span pilot-recommended gel seat cushions and flight-attendant-approved budget options to suit varied needs and price points.

Read at Travel + Leisure