Some Tips on Packing for Airplane Travel

Greetings again. I’m writing this blog post in the Doha, Qatar, airport. I’m on the way to Sri Lanka to do some AuthorAID work, and I have a layover here.

More and more researchers seem to be taking plane flights, for example to international conferences. Therefore this post presents tips on packing for such travel. These tips may be very familiar to experienced travelers. But newer travelers might find them useful.

Here are some basic tips:

• Find out the airline’s baggage requirements in advance. Check the weight restrictions. And learn what you can and can’t include in carry-on luggage. For example, you may be limited to small containers of liquids.
• Make a packing list. Having a list can help ensure that you pack everything necessary. And you can keep the list and modify it for future trips.
• Carry crucial items with you. Checked luggage sometimes is delayed. Therefore carry with you the things you must have. For example, if you’ll give a poster presentation, don’t put your poster in your checked luggage.
• Carry a sweater, light jacket, or shawl with you. Airports and airplanes can be chilly. Therefore have a sweater or such along.
• Leave space to bring things back. If you’ll attend a conference, you might receive materials to bring back. And maybe you’d like to bring home souvenirs or gifts. Leave space in your luggage for such items.

Do you have suggestions for packing for such travel? Or do you have a question or story about this subject? If so, please post a comment.

Until the next post—

Barbara