Flying, especially in economy, has never been pleasant. Instead of getting better, many frequent flyers, including me, think the experience is getting worse. Delta recently announced it would no longer serve water or its trademark cookies to economy passengers on short flights.It seems that fewer airplanes have seatback screens for in-flight entertainment, and those that do may be broken. Additionally, I consider myself lucky if I get basic amenities like a pillow and blanket, let alone socks or eye masks, which used to be common on longer flights. Since I can rarely afford to fly in the front of the plane, I have taken matters into my own hands. After a lot of trial and error, I have found ways to make flying economy more tolerable despite the cuts. Here are some of the items I bring on the plane to make my experience more comfortable. OwalaA leakproof coffee cup to stay caffeinated in the airCoffee and tea help me deal with the early wake-ups, late nights, and time zone changes that are so common during travel. Since I can't rely on hot beverages being available on my flight, I pack a leak-proof Owala coffee cup and get a to-go drink before boarding. It's available in three sizes and dozens of colors. "I couldn’t love this cup more! First of all, it is absolutely beautiful. I love the colors, especially the contrasting lock on the top second, it absolutely does not leak, which is a nice difference from my HydroFlask coffee Tumbler, which leaks all the time. Thirdly, it is comfortable to sip out, keeps things hot or cold, and easy to lock and unlock. I absolutely would recommend this cup to anybody," said reviewer ABLL BOB. Diamond WipesSome sanitizing wipes to clean suspicious surfacesThe airline I fly most frequently still hands each passenger a sanitizing wipe as they board. However, most airlines leave cleaning to passengers' discretion. I like wiping down high-touch areas like my tray, seatbelt buckle, and armrest before settling in for my flight. To make sure I am prepared, I bring these sanitizing wipes that one reviewer called "perfect for road trips" to give me peace of mind and help avoid picking up an unwanted souvenir on the plane. As a bonus, these wipes can be used to clean my hands. That comes in handy when I am stuck in the middle seat or can't get up due to turbulence.Twelve SouthA Bluetooth connector, because headphones are scarce these daysAirlines used to regularly hand out headphones for passengers to use on the plane, but those days are long gone. To help ensure I can watch movies on planes with seat-back screens, I always keep my Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 in my carry-on. This tiny Bluetooth transmitter lets me use my own headphones seamlessly with most in-flight systems. Best of all, I can connect two sets of headphones at a time so my travel companion is covered as well. DedCoolSome luxurious moisturizer for pretending I'm in first classFirst-class passengers are usually pampered with small beauty items like hand lotion, while economy passengers are usually left to fend for themselves. Taking a cue from the front of the plane, I always pack a TSA-friendly tube of hand lotion, like DedCool's hand cream, which comes in a variety of scents that one reviewer referred to as "captivating." It helps keep my hands from drying out, and the pleasant, relaxing scent helps me forget I am in economy. AmazonA Kindlecolorsoft to keep me busy when in-flight entertainment is nonexistentAs someone who flies about once a month, I have learned the hard way that I can't count on in-flight entertainment being available or functional. I fly too much to read, so I always pack a Kindle loaded with books from my local library. I love the Kindle Colorsoft because the color display brings a splash of joy to my otherwise drab surroundings, and it luckily has a battery life that shoppers describe as "stupendous" so I don't need to worry too much about keeping it tethered to a cord.Pur GumGum, to stave off the need to snackSince it's no longer guaranteed I'll even get a basic snack on flights, I stock up on flavorful gum to help keep my appetite at bay and pass the time. After trying several brands, Pur gum quickly became my favorite. Try a variety pack with three or eight flavors to find your favorite flavors. Mine are cinnamon and Pomagranate Mint. FjallravenA belt bag for stashing my evening essentialsWhenever I fly overnight, I try to stick to my nighttime routine as much as possible. Basic self-care, like brushing my teeth, pulling my hair back, and moisturizing my face, helps me feel human and signals to my body that it’s time to sleep. Yet, airplane bathrooms are cramped, lack counter space, and are often dirty. Now, I pre-pack my essentials, including a travel toothbrush, silk scrunchie, and a travel-size facial serum, in a Fjallraven Kanken waist bag. When it’s time to head to the airplane restroom to get ready, I pull my small, light belt bag out of my carry-on, slip it on, and take out items one by one as I get ready for the night. Thanks to this belt bag, I never need to rely on the nearly nonexistent counter space or worry about dropping something on the dirty bathroom floor.Some cashmere socks to keep accommodations feeling luxurious, even when they're notOn longer flights, the first thing I do is kick off my shoes. I don’t like to wear anything constricting when I fly for more than a few hours, including shoes. Slipping on a pair of luxe Karen Thomas 100% cashmere socks helps me stay comfortable throughout my flight, even when I’m stuck in economy. After a quick rinse, I sleep in these socks during my trip, too. When I travel to cooler destinations, my cashmere socks work well under boots, so they do triple duty. "My tootsies are in heaven. I bought these as sleeping socks. I wear them only in bed. They are fluffy inside and give your feet a vacation to Margaritaville. I read that sleeping socks are a great thing to promote a good night’s sleep. It is hard to describe the joy and comfort my feet enjoy. Yup, these are pricey socks, but they are worth it," wrote reviewer Sue Ellen Brown.LoopVersatile earplugs that can switch from noise-canceling to noise-dampeningFlights are inevitably noisy. Between mystery beeps, sneezing passengers, and crying babies, it can be hard to zone out and relax, let alone fall asleep. Instead of relying on bulky headphones, I use small, comfortable, noise-canceling Loop Switch 2 adjustable ear plugs. Depending on how I wear them, I can use them to nearly completely drown out noise or just make things a little quieter. These earplugs also help me get shut-eye throughout my trip, no matter where I’m staying. NimbleA powerful backup battery keeps me charged throughout my flightEven fully-charged phones run out of juice on flights. I can't rely on charging ports or outlets on planes, so I bring my own power. This is essential because I like to download podcasts or a movie to watch on long flights, which drains my battery quickly. To avoid losing power mid-story, I keep a reliable backup battery in my carry-on. The MagSafe Nimble Champ is my favorite because it keeps my phone charged for hours, and it has a built-in stand.TwelveSouthA sturdy stand to hold my phone in place. Whether I connect to in-flight WiFi to work, scroll, or catch up on the latest reality series, a sturdy phone stand is essential. I searched for one that keeps my phone in place even during unexpected turbulence. The TwelveSouth Curve Nano phone stand folds flat, so it takes up barely any room in my carry-on, and its slim footprint doesn't hog space on my tray table. Yet, it holds my MagSafe phone in place, even through bumps in the air. YetiA food container to keep carry-on snacks from getting crushedAs airlines continue to cut back on amenities, passengers can no longer rely on meals and snacks to get through flights. It’s even harder to find an airline that serves nourishing food that helps travelers arrive feeling their best. I quickly tired of packing protein bars and other snacks that inevitably got crushed in flimsy packaging. As a result, I’ve started bringing fresh foods, such as cut fruit or a veggie–packed sandwich on long flights. I usually pack snacks for the plane in the same insulated Yeti Rambler low bowl I use at home. The bowl helps keep my snacks organized and cold without adding much weight to my carry-on. Plus, I can use the bowl after I land, so I have something to nibble on while sightseeing. The bowls come in three sizes and six colors. RumplA puffy blanket to deal with the plane's ever-changing climate zonesFlights seem to have two temperatures: blazing hot or freezing. I like to be prepared for either possibility, so I always pack a blanket. However, most blankets take up valuable space in my carry-on. To ensure I stay warm and toasty no matter how cold the plane gets, I pack a Rumpl Original puffy mini blanket that folds up to about the size of a coffee cup. Even better, I can use my puffy blanket for picnics once I arrive at my destination.OstrichpillowA great travel pillow and eye mask, to help me sleep through the miseryTo save room in my carry-on, I have tried every hack possible for sleeping on planes. Inflatable travel pillows inevitably go flat, and standard U-shaped travel pillows don’t provide enough support for deep sleep. After landing bleary-eyed one time too many, I decided I needed a serious upgrade. Now, I pack a supportive Ostrichpillow for any flight long enough to warrant a nap or a few hours of sleep. Although this pillow takes up a bit more space in my bag than some others, arriving at my destination refreshed is worth the trade-off and makes flying more tolerable. I also use the matching eye mask to block out light completely, which helps me sleep even longer.