>> Throw out your toiletry kit.

My toiletry kit has now been reduced to a quart-size zip-top plastic bag. Everything goes in it, including the liquids, gels, and creams, which are in containers of three ounces or less. The products duplicate those I already have at home, so I never need to unpack or repack it. When I'm not traveling, I keep the bag inside my Tumi wheelie, awaiting my next flight.

>> Pack a sandwich-size zip-top bag within the quart-size one.

Into the smaller bag go those items that I may want to use in-flight: artificial tears, lip balm, hand cream, facial moisturizer, Mack's earplugs, an eye mask (more on that later), Tylenol, vitamin C or Airborne pills, and Sudafed in case I'm congested (it unclogs the ears). Upon arriving at my seat, I put the sandwich bag in the seatback compartment; the large one remains in my wheelie, which goes into the overhead bin.

>> In addition to a wheelie, carry a laptop bag and/or a lightweight duffel.

If you're female, you've probably noticed that the carry-on ruleswhich allow for one wheelie and one personal item (say, a laptop)leave no room for a pocketbook. What to do? I carry a nylon sport bag that folds into nothing and lives in the outside pocket of my laptop bag. If an airline official sees my wheelie, laptop bag, and pocketbook and says I'm not allowed to have three carry-ons, I reduce them to two by placing the laptop bag and pocketbook inside the sport bag. (Sadly, this won't work in the United Kingdom, where passengers are limited to one carry-on.)

>> Bring bottled water onto the plane.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you why it's essential to stay well hydrated on planes. When I'm flying from airports where they let you bring water on board, I purchase at least two small bottles and carry them in the roomy outside pocket of my Lowepro laptop bag (which also holds my camera).

>> Use Magellan's Self-Inflating Seat Cushion.


>> Wear the Travel Komfort Kollar.


>> If you're lugging a laptop, consider the Aviator Laptop Stand.

The taller you are, the harder it is to use your laptop when the seat in front of you is reclined. (Even when it's not reclined, you have to slump down in your seat, slide your legs forward, and contort your lower spine to see what you're typing.) The Aviator Laptop Stand raises the screen about three inches. It takes five seconds to assemble; when disassembled, the thin plastic pieces just slide into your laptop bag. Warning: Because the stand risers extend toward you from the tray table, how well it will work for you depends on how large your belly is. And you probably can't use the Self-Inflating Seat Cushion and the Aviator Laptop Stand simultaneously, since the extra height from the cushion may cause your belly to collide with the risers (keynamics.com; $20).

>> Get an Oscar & Dehn Sightseeing Eye Mask.

This mask is so coolliterally. Filled with gel, it soothes the head and sinuses, relieving headaches and reducing eye puffiness and bleariness. For extra relief, place the mask in a cup of ice for five minutes before using it (oscardehn.com; $17).

>> Consider Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones.

Many frequent travelers I know swear by these for their sound quality. I prefer to use them in conjunction with $5 Mack's Earplugs to seal out cabin noise almost completely (bose.com; $299).

>> Pick up a Cocoon Coolmax Blanket.

When I'm flying to a cold-weather destination, I carry a pashmina, which I use as a blanket on board, as a scarf upon arrivaland as a head covering in Muslim countries. If I'm bound for warm climes, however, I carry the compact, lightweight, moisture-wicking Cocoon blanket. It's as soft as silk pajamas and as warm as flannels (campmor.com; $30).

>> For overnight flights, give the 1st Class Sleeper a try.

What the Self-Inflating Seat Cushion does for your bottom, the Sleeper does for your back. You place it behind you and partially inflate it (with 11 or 12 deep breaths) until it resembles a miniature swimming-pool raft, one that's half-inflated. When you lean back into the Sleeper, it shifts your pelvis forward, putting you into an almost-straight reclining position. Since this will feel awkward unless you can stretch your legs out beneath the seat in front of you, the Sleeper makes sense only if you're able to cram all of your excess belongings into the overhead bins. Because it's a little bulky and heavy (even when deflated), I carry it only on overnight transoceanic flights (1stclasssleeper.com; $30).