Essential items to pack in your carry-on bag

Every time I fly to New York or anywhere else, I’m always surprised by how some people board without even a small bag. Sure, it’s nice to trust the baggage handlers, but you’re never completely safe from a lost suitcase or theft.
After a major airline lost my suitcase on a routine flight between Paris and London (my bag ended up in Venice instead), I always pack a carry-on bag filled to the weight limit. Since you’re allowed a carry-on, you might as well use it!
Here’s my essential carry-on packing list to help you prepare:

1/ Your travel documents

• First and foremost, keep all travel-related documents with you—never in checked luggage. Carry paper copies of your flight confirmation, hotel reservation, and vouchers for your airport transfer and New York excursions. Also bring your Destination New York guide: you can read it during the flight.
• Keep your passport and credit card in your pocket at all times—these are the two most important items for your trip. Your passport gets you on the plane. Your credit card lets you pay for everything else.

2/ Your electronics and chargers

• Always carry your camera with memory cards and any other electronics in your carry-on. This protects them from damage and theft.
• Never pack chargers and power cables in checked luggage—for your phone, tablet, laptop, or camera batteries. If your bag is lost and takes 3 or 4 days to arrive, you’ll have no way to charge your devices and will have to replace everything anyway.

3/ Your medications

• If you take prescription medications, always carry them in your carry-on. Also bring copies of your prescriptions in case security has questions about any medications.
• If you wear glasses or contacts, keep them in your carry-on too. Same goes for sunglasses.

4/ A few changes of clothes

• My London mishap taught me to always pack spare clothes. Toss 1 or 2 pairs of underwear, 1 or 2 pairs of socks, and 1 or 2 t-shirts at the bottom of your carry-on. If your checked bag doesn’t arrive and you have to wait 2 or 3 days for it to be delivered to your hotel, you’ll be grateful.
• Having spare clothes means you can get by for a day or two and won’t waste time shopping for basics when you arrive in New York. Especially since the smart move when you land is to beat jet lag.

5/ Your toiletries

• You can bring cosmetics as long as each container is 100 ml (3.4 oz) or smaller. Given the cost of these products, it’s worth carrying them with you. Note: nail clippers are not allowed in the cabin.
• If you use an electric razor, bring it in your carry-on. If your bag gets lost, you’ll avoid a few days of stubble. If you use a manual razor, it must go in checked luggage.
• You can also bring your toothbrush. This way you won’t need to buy a new one if your bag is delayed.