What items should I pack in the bag that I keep with me on the plane?

You got all covered have a nice trip. I would not want to lug around a blanket though and just put on sweater

Wow that is quite the list. Personally I wouldn’t pack two days of clothes. I have never brought my eye glass prescription, Nxt time I fly now I will probably need it! You didn’t mention cash? I bring US Dollars and if I have any Euros left from other trips. Also I bring my camera & extra memory cards. I don’t just use my phone. Enjoy and honestly except for medicine most things if you forget you can get in Europe.

We're flying to Stuttgart next weekend and I'm taking clorox wipes to wipe down any surface I touch. I'm starting to take Airborne next week to boost my immune system. Worst thing would to get sick!

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Blanket-(we were told that the flights were pretty cold and that bring a clean blanket was a good idea) - Flights get chilly, but not sure if you want to lug a blanket - maybe a thin lap blanket?
Medications -
cell phones & chargers - A suggestion: To keep your plugs and anything with a wire, consider getting small binder clips (or those twist ties you get in the boxes of trash bags/or baggies in general, lol) Less weight.. You can wrap your wires and secure them so they don't get tangled

iPad & charger
headphones and chargers
airplane headphone jack 2 prong adapter
eye glasses - If you can, pick up an "eyeglass repair kit" at Walmart pharmacy area - it comes in a tiny tube with the essentials just in case
food and snacks - If you bring peanuts or something with peanuts, make sure you have an alternate snack - one time, I was on a flight, the FA announced at beginning of flight no peanuts would be served; an alternate snack would be given
water - After TSA
passports
personal id cards with list of meds, allergies, emergency contacts, and name, address, phone numbers and drivers liscience number. - Good idea - I do that too
hand sanitzer - Goes in to 3-1-1- bag
handy wipes - maybe choose either or - individual wipes are easier and don't need to go in to 3-1-1
books/magazine - consider the extra weight or bulk. You have your IPad and phone
kleenex

Folder with: Do you have a "jacket style" folder or thin jacket pendaflex? So your papers don't go flying out. Walmart has a ton of supplies (for back to school)
prepaid train tockets
copies of airbnb rental confirmations/addresses/directions/contact info.
copies of drivers lisciences (international and US)
airline tickets
rental car ppwk.
copy of credit cards and atm cards
cell phone account info.
travel insurance confirmation
health insurance confirmation-travel policy
US health ins. ppwk
eye glass prescriptions
login and password data - Anything with extreme sensitive and identifying data should be secured
business & banking phone numbers
US phone code/ Italy phone code

To keep all your phone chargers/adapters etc, organized, consider putting those in to a cosmetic case or a small packing cube. Advice: Don't put anything personal or of value in the seat pockets. You may forget it/them.

If checking luggage, then we would also add:

3-1-1 bag
2 days worth of essentail clothes - I bring that too

I agree that a blanket is overkill. I use a sweater or, if traveling in winter, just drape my coat over me.
I also bring chapstick. The air on planes is very dry and my lips can get chapped.

You don't need water or food beyond maybe a snack or hard candy you enjoy: advise against nuts for the reason mentioned above. We don't bring hand sanitizer (don't believe it helps much) and use headphones handed out by the airline. Definitely no blanket: wear a sweater or jacket you'll be bringing for the trip. We don't bring any clothes in our carryons (we check bags) although some people like to bring 1 change.

Your documentation shouldn't take up much room at all

I'd forget about the blanket as well. I have never been on a cool flight, but I've been on many a hot flight, and hot, hot airport...Heathrow in May. My plane outfit is designed so that I can strip off several layers without embarrassing myself. So be prepared to cover or strip. :-)

It's kind of nice to have a small blanket. Last time I bought a cheap, thin fleece one from Ikea and cut it in half so my husband and I each had one. I also bought two of the 1.79 Ikea pillows. Before the return trip, I offered them to a person sleeping rough, along with a few euro in his cup. That left me a bit more room in the suitcase, although they hadn't taken up much space at all.

What airline are you flying to Europe? Most international flights will probably provide you with a pillow and blanket. I would definitely leave the blanket at home. Also, make sure that the login and password data in your file is very secure. Same can be said for your cash, ATM card(s) and credit card(s).

Passwords and log in info should be memorized not carried about !!! Yikes

I always bring either a thin blanket or a larger scarf that can be used as a shawl . Handy as a beach towel or picnic blanket too .

I always bring snacks , plane food sucks big time . I never bring nuts for two reasons , bad for those with allergies , but also nuts make me thirsty and flights are dehydrating enough .

You don’t need both handy wipes and hand sanitizer.

“If checking luggage, we would also add 3-1-1 bag”

This is confusing as you’ve written it.
You don’t need a 3-1-1 bag if you check luggage. You only need a 3-1-1 bag if you are bringing the contents of your 3-1-1 bag in your carry-on bag.

I always bring a fleece blanket. I find airplanes very cold. I bought one in the travel section of The Container Store that is a pillow when not used as a blanket. It’s my favorite carry-on item.

I bring wipes instead of hand sanitizer. They can also be used to wipe down armrests and tray tables. After hearing scary stories from airline crew about things they have seen people place on tray tables, I like to have something to wipe it down with before I place food or drinks there! I agree about leaving a blanket out, but I do get chilly on flights so a sweater or wrap is useful. On long flights, I find earbuds bother me and get uncomfortable. I’ve tried several different kinds, but no luck finding ones that didn’t hurt after awhile so I bring my Bose headset now. It is bulky but comfortable and watching movies and listening to music helps pass the time. Have a great trip!

You have a pretty complete list. Just a few suggestions.

• You don’t need a blanket, a light jacket will do fine. I would suggest layering your clothing as temperatures can very widely on any flight. For women a pashima scarf can do double duty.
• Sleep mask. Unless you are traveling in business, most airlines don’t provide and they are essential if you want to get some sleep
• I like to take both hand sanitizer and handiwipes. On the plane, I will use the handiwipes to wipe down the tray and the seat hand rests. I don’t use the hand sanitizer on the plane, but since I don’t check, it needs to come with me as it is handy on your trip.
• I create a mini amenities kit, unless you fly business class you may not get one. In that kit, I have a makeup remover (usually one of my samples from Sephora), small folding toothbrush, toothpaste, small pen, small hand lotion, and chapstick), and ear plugs.
• Collapsible water bottle to refill.
• Collapsible travel pillow

Have a great trip,
Sandy

Where are you carrying the originals of your passport, credit cards, debit cards, driver's license and IDP ? I put them in my money belt which I wear attached to my body on the plane. Also keep my encoded passwords list there -- in a sandwich-size Ziploc. Stuff I REALLY don't want to get left behind on the plane.

Laura suggestion brings up a very good question. Should I wear my money belt while at the airport and also on the plane? In them would be our passport, and bank cards, cash, etc..

With regard as to how to handle a money belt at the airport, this is what we do. Others do things differently and that's ok -- to each his own. We've used this system for many years and it's worked for us.

Before you get to the airport (probably when you leave home or your hotel) place the money belt in a LOCKED compartment of your carry on and keep it in your possession at all times. At the security check point let it go down the conveyer belt as usual. Then, after you clear the TSA security area, find the nearest rest room and put it back on. That way if your carry on has to be gate checked (and it sometimes happens regardless of size) you still have your money belt on you. Easy-peasy peace of mind. Lord forbid your carry on is gate checked and then lost with the money belt inside.

While going to and through the airport, have everything in the belt except day money, one credit card, maybe (or maybe not) one ATM card, and travel documents you will need in route such as your boarding pass & passport. Carry those in a secure zippered shirt / blouse pocket if you have one. If not, use your purse / "man bag" / personal bag. When going through the TSA check point you can put those things, plus cell phone, watch, and misc. in a zip lock baggie in your purse / "man bag" / personal bag. Remember, your money belt will be TEMPORARILY in your carry on so your goodies will be in two different places.

I don't know what airline you are flying across the pond, but Delta provides light blankets and small pillows. We still take inflatable pillows for neck support. Delta also provides surprisingly good food and a lot of it. I always pack a few plastic food storage bags to take leftovers to eat during a layover.

Can we bring food and water from home onto an international flight, or only food and water purchased after we pass through security?

You have to bring an EMPTY water bottle, or empty it out before you go through security - which is hard to remember to do. (I would not bring a collapsible bottle without trying it out for safety and convenience at home first.) There are plenty of airport water fountains in the U.S., but they are less common in other countries. And of course in China or St. Petersburg, you would not use a water fountain if you could find one. (Yes, I see the boiled water dispensers in Chinese airports. But no, thanks.)

Agree to take a light sweater/large scarf instead of a blanket. I do take an inflatable neck pillow though.

You can take food but must buy water at airport (or refill a reusable bottle). Of course food cannot be liquid. Make it something simple to carry and not smelly (no fish or eggs is courteous).

I think a lot of the paperwork stuff may be excessive. I would try to consolidate that a bit. I have put a lot of that stuff into an un-sent email.

I don't take my ipad--it is heavy and just something to worry about. If you really don't need it, your phone can serve in its place.

You'll have to sort it if you carry on, but I keep chapstick, lotion, and eyedrops handy because the air is so dry.

With the suggestions of this thread, it looks as if packing our money belts will also be necessary before leaving the US.
So the items on the above list will need to be reallocated. Please advise with your suggestions/experience.

Money Belt Contents:
cash (and euros)
credit cards
debit cards
passports/account info.
login and password data
personal id cards/medical info.
medical insurance cards (both US and travel info. and numbers)
flight insurance information
airline tickets
prepaid train tickets/vouchers
driver lisciences (US and Intl.)
simm card envelope?
cell phone account info.
US phone code and Italy phone code

Extra passport photos

We need to use all fragrance free products due to allergies. How easy/difficult is it to find FF products in Italy...hand soap, shampoo,
conditioner, hand lotion, skin care products, laundry care products, etc.. If they are difficult to find, then I will have to pack larger quantities and check our bags. Good to know in advance.
Thinking that I may need to pose this question to those who may also be sensitive to fragrance, how prevelant are fragranced products in Italy? Are rooms commonly cleaned with them, bedding washed with them, etc?
Thanks

Instead of a blanket, get a seriously big & light scarf. I lucked into a silk print one at a thrift store - weighs nothing, squishes into a sandwich bag, works as a blanket, scarf, pareo, bathrobe, tablecloth, probably could be a dress if I was artsy enough. Another source could be a fabric store. The one I have measures about 36" by 72", & it goes on every trip, bar none. On more than one frigid plane it's become my tent!

I am going to veer from the majority and say, "bring your travel blanket". I have done so for years. Travel blankets are not that big. They have saved me a few times when the hotel room did not live up to my cleanliness needs. I put clean towels on the bed and use the travel blanket as a cover. Granted this has only happened a couple of times (and not in Europe), I enjoy having my own small travel blanket. Other than that, your list sounds great.
Since others have mentioned bringing 2 days of clothing, may I add that should you not opt to do this , you also put a couple of days of clothing in your spouse's suitcase (in case one suitcase is lost).

I don't know specifically about fragrance but I always try to bring what I think I will need in terms of toiletries. I am going for 2 weeks so maybe if you are talking much longer it isn't practical. I have on occasion forgotten things and find it time consuming to find things abroad. It is not like running down the street to your local Walgreen's. You have to figure where things are sold and then find those kinds of stores. I spent almost half a day buying a hair brush in Helsinki! Who knew they were sold only in department stores!

Beth

Flew Chicago to London earlier this month and it was cold. They gave a light blanket, but it was still cold. As we were heading to Scandinavia, I had packed a down vest in carry on. It helped. While in Scandinavia, the heat wave broke and I used my vest. (It also makes a pillow).
I pack a change of clothes and a couple pair of underwear—if checked luggage lost, it will get me through a few days. T shirts can be replaced but underwear can be expensive to replace in some countries. I remember our tour guide commenting that the French take their undergarments seriously! Medications, a toothbrush etc and a snack. And of course the secure items.

If you are taking an iPad, have a scanned copy of all your listed documents on that. In the past we've always stored copies of our passports, itinerary, all prebooked tickets and reservations on a cloud account downloadable from anywhere in the world. The suggestion above to store it all in an unsent email could also work. This relies on the iPad always being charged or an outlet accessible. Also we download all the pictures from our phone to the iPad each night. Gives you a chance to review them in case there is a problem, and keeps the phone empty. We also have a mini keyboard for the iPad so we can type our travel journal each night and draft emails home (ready to send whenever we find free wifi)
ADD: list of your country's embassy in each place you'll be.
ADD: power converter so all your electronics will work

Like others I wouldn't bother with a blanket. Just wear your heaviest top as an extra layer and use it as a pillow if you get too warm. I only travel with carry on, so everything I'm taking is "in the bag I that I keep with me on the plane".