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These 6 travel musts keep me comfy and entertained during long flight delays

Stay sane and win the waiting game with these clever helpers — plus 4 more things I'll bring next time.

collage of five flight essentials: Hoka shoes, Owala water bottle, Spanx travel outfit, iPad mini, Anker power bank
These travel essentials made a recent flight delay a little more bearable. (Hoka, Amazon, Spanx)

If you fly often, you're probably all too familiar with delays. Just last month, I was stuck at an airport in Florida for an extra seven hours thanks to the fallout from a tropical storm. It could have been worse: Earlier this year, tech-related outages left some passengers stranded for days. And with hurricane season underway and holiday travel season on the horizon, more waiting is probably a forgone conclusion. So far this year, nearly 22% of flights have been delayed, according to the Bureau of Transportation.

To help you prepare for these all-too-common travel hiccups, I've highlighted six travel essentials that made my extra hours in the airport a little more bearable — and four more things I wish I had packed. (Not shown? The glass — or two — of wine from the airport bar.)

I always bring a reusable water bottle on flights so that I don't have to don't have to spend a ton of money to stay hydrated. This Owala was more than up to the task. It has a patented 2-in-1 spout with a built-in straw for sipping and a wider opening for chugging. But my favorite part is the leak protection. I've never had any issues with spills even as it's tossed around my bag.

$32 at Amazon
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$33 at REI

These single-use mini toothbrushes have been a game-changer for long travel days, and they came in handy when I needed a quick refresh at the airport. They have built-in breath-freshening beads and soft bristles that instantly make my mouth feel clean. The best part: You don't need to use water to activate anything or rinse afterward.

$35 at Amazon

While there were outlets throughout the gates, I used my portable charging bank to keep my phone and iPad juiced up as I walked around and sat at the airport bar. The handy device has a USB-C cord built in, so it's one less cord I have to carry, but it also has a USB-A port on the side for additional chargers. I love how lightweight it is and how quickly it powers up the essentials.

$32 at Amazon

Oprah's favorite loungewear set has been my go-to travel outfit for a while now, and it really came in clutch when I found myself sitting around the airport for even longer. While it's as comfy as PJs, the matching set made me look much more put-together. The top and bottoms are super breathable and kept me warm without making me overheat.

$138 at Spanx

I definitely got my steps in over seven hours in the airport, so I was glad I was wearing my comfortable Hoka Cliftons. The cloud-like shoes boast a breathable knit upper and a cushy rubber sole that provides great traction. I always wear them on travel days and will continue to because of how supportive they are.

Check out our guide to the most comfortable walking shoes for even more editor-approved picks.

$145 at Hoka

My iPad Mini was truly the MVP of my flight delay, as it kept me entertained for hours. I was able to catch up on all my Bravo shows and used the Kindle app to finish the book I'd been reading that weekend at the beach. The battery lasts up to 10 hours, and I was able to surf the web thanks to the free airport Wi-Fi. The 8.3-inch screen was ideal for watching movies and reading books but still small enough to fit inside my travel purse.

$380 at Amazon
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$389 at Walmart$499 at B&H Photo

I saw someone with this genius cup holder on their suitcase, and after a few hours of wheeling my stuff around while balancing takeout, I wished I had one too. The clever gadget holds two beverages and has a hidden pocket at the back for things you need to keep easily accessible, like your phone or passport.

$12 at Amazon

After a few hours of sitting around in the airport, my skin was feeling really dry. I wish I had packed a refreshing face mist to keep my skin hydrated and feeling fresh. This soothing option from La Roche-Posay helps you moisturize your skin hands-free. It comes in a handy travel size that's TSA-approved too.

$14 at Walmart

An oversized scarf has always been one of my go-to travel essentials, but since I was traveling to Florida in the summer, I didn't think to pack it. Big mistake! I wish I'd had it to use as a blanket in the chilly airport as I waited.

$50 at Amazon
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$68 at Nordstrom$68 at Macy's

I use an older set of Apple AirPods to watch the in-flight TVs, and I have a converter that works with my iPad, but after a few hours of crying babies and airport hubbub, my earbuds weren't cutting it. I really wished I brought my SoundCore noise-cancelling headphones — they're ultra-cushioned, easily block out noise and fold up compactly, so they're easy to toss in a bag. I won't fly again without them.

$200 at Amazon