Travel Dispatch: How to Pack a Carry-On

November 20, 2024

Whether you’re a frequent flier or a first-timer, the chaos of an airport can often throw off even the most careful planning. Here are some short guides to help you be best prepared for your next flight.

An illustration depicts the back of a person with curly dark hair and headphones wearing a backpack that is transparent. The items inside -- sneakers, clothing, separate small bags containing things like glasses, toothpaste, medications -- are all neatly arranged. The person is standing in a windowed corridor, and, in one corner of the illustration, a plane can be seen rising in the sky.

Weston Wei

Travel 101

Traveling Light: How to Pack a Carry-On

Should you fold or roll your clothes? Is a duffel bag better than a backpack or a bag with wheels? How to pack light and avoid checked-bag fees (not to mention lost luggage).

By Stephanie Rosenbloom

Karsten Moran for The New York Times

Vibrators, Weed, Plants: What Can You Take on a Plane?

Can you bring safety pins in your carry-on? What about a pool cue? Or how about a snow globe? The answers to those questions, in order, are yes, no and it’s complicated.

By Kasia Pilat

An illustration of a crowd of people standing in line below a sign that says “Flight Rebooking.” One person is slumped over next to a suitcase, while another person holding a phone is confidently striding past the crowd holding a phone.

Dani Pendergast

Travel 101

Delays and Cancellations: Know Your Rights

Advocating for yourself after an airline delay or cancellation can be challenging and confusing. Here’s how to best achieve the result you want — or at least get you where you want to go.

By Christine Chung

An illustration of two women sitting in the cabin of a plane. The woman on the left is reading a book, and the woman on the right, near the window, is wearing headphones and is holding a pillow to her chest. She has her eyes closed and has a calm look on her face.

Weston Wei

travel 101

Afraid of Flying? Here’s How to Make It Feel Less Scary.

Fear of flying affects more than 25 million Americans. If you are among them, these tools and expert tips could help make your next plane ride easier.

By Lisa McCarty

An illustration shows two planes against a sky blue background. The plane on the right is flying just above a bank of clouds and is pointed upward. The plane on the left is flying through clearer skies and has leveled off.

Simoul Alva

Fasten Your Seatbelts: What You Need to Know About Turbulence

Recent incidents with turbulence during air travel raise questions about this challenging weather phenomenon. Here’s what we know about it and how to stay safe.

By Christine Chung

A drawing of a woman sitting in an airline cabin seemingly in a mirror. On the left, she is awake looking at her phone and laptop computer, and on the other she is asleep using eye mask and a travel pillow.

Weston Wei

Travel 101

How to Survive Long-Haul Flights

Though extreme long-haul air travel never gets easier, there are some things you can do to make it slightly less terrible.

By Katie Robertson

Several illustrations of the same woman wearing a perplexed expression standing around a baggage carousel, she is clearing looking for something lost. In the background she is talking to an airport employee, and in the foreground she is looking quizzically at her phone for help.

Weston Wei

travel 101

Airline Lost Your Bag? Here’s How to Reunite With Your Luggage.

Or at least be reimbursed if it’s gone for good.

By Christine Chung

How are we doing? We are testing a second weekly send of the Travel Dispatch newsletter with a selection of destination features and how-to guides to help inspire and simplify your travels.

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