WHAT ITS REALLY LIKE LIVING OUT OF A SUITCASE AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT

There’s a certain kind of lifestyle that comes with having a job that takes you everywhere. Imagine having a closet that travels with you, a skincare routine that has to fit into a carry-on, and a schedule that can change in the blink of an eye, especially when you’re junior and on reserve. If you’re unfamiliar with airline terminology, being on reserve means crew scheduling assigns you trips and can make changes throughout your on-call period based on the airline’s needs.

My suitcase has become more than just luggage; it’s become part of my lifestyle. As I hop from city to city, navigate different time zones, and experience completely different temperatures in a matter of days, I’ve learned to adapt quickly. But I’ve also learned how to make my suitcase feel like a little piece of home, no matter which hotel room I’m checking into.

I always laugh when my grandma tries to give me packing advice. She’ll say something like, “Don’t forget your hat and scarf, and make sure you bundle up! It’s 30 degrees today!” What she doesn’t realize is that the three-day trip I’m heading out on might include a layover where it’s 75 degrees, another where it’s 50, and another where it’s 90. All while I’m based in a city like Denver!

And that’s another thing people don’t always consider: commuting.

A commuter flight attendant is someone who lives in a different city from their assigned base, which is where their work trips begin and end. So even though I’m based in Denver, I might not spend much time there outside of getting to the airport and catching my next flight. Some commuters have crash pads (shared, part-time housing near their base), while others fly in the day their trip starts and head straight from one plane to another. You could be based somewhere for months and barely experience the actual city! That’s just one of the many things I’ve learned to navigate while living out of a suitcase.

Packing Efficiently: Learning What I Actually Need

After five years in the industry, I can confidently say my first year taught me what I actually needed versus what I thought I needed in my suitcase. Flight attendants get a serious workout just navigating the airport with everything we carry. Between your lunch bag, main suitcase, and sometimes a third duffle bag filled with miscellaneous belongings and required work items, you’re practically carrying your entire life around with you.

Unlike most travelers, checking a bag isn’t really an option when you’re working. We need access to our belongings as we move from aircraft to aircraft, so we have to be strategic about what we bring. I’ve become especially intentional about packing because I currently commute between NYC and Denver. Anyone who’s navigated the New York subway system knows it’s not for the weak! Between the crowds, stairs, elevators that aren’t always working, and people rushing to catch the train before the doors close, maneuvering through the city with a heavy suitcase can become a workout in itself. My goal is to pack light but efficiently, especially when I’m traveling across the country for work.

So, what does packing actually look like for me?

For starters, comfortable shoes are a must. As flight attendants, we’re required to wear shoes that meet our airline’s uniform guidelines, and considering how many hours we spend on our feet, comfort matters. I have flat feet, so I pay extra attention to what I’m putting on my feet. I typically use sports insole in my service shoes to give myself additional support, especially since my work shoes have a flatter sole. It’s one of those small things that makes a difference when you’re constantly on the move.

For my suitcase, packing cubes are my best friend. They help condense everything, keep my belongings organized, and make it easier to grab exactly what I need without digging through my entire bag. I usually separate my undergarments, layover outfits, skincare and makeup, and travel essentials into different cubes.

When it comes to clothes, I have to think about versatility. Since I can experience multiple temperatures on one trip and potentially get rerouted while on reserve, I always pack a sweater and a pair of long pants. I’ll usually bring two or three tops that I can style with the same bottoms, a workout outfit, and a swimsuit that pretty much lives in my suitcase year-round. I also keep my hygiene, skincare, and makeup products in a travel-size pouch. For shoes, I typically bring sandals and one additional pair, depending on the trip.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? You don’t need to pack your entire closet to have options. Pack pieces you can mix and match, leave room for the unexpected, and remember that sometimes you won’t even wear half the things you brought because you’ll end up spending an entire layover relaxing in your hotel room. And that’s okay, too!

Creating Routines: How I Maintain Some Normalcy While Constantly Traveling

I get asked all the time: Do you ever get tired of traveling? How do you date? How do you keep up with your friends and family? And honestly, the answer is that you have to be intentional about creating a life outside of work. One thing I never travel without is my travel sheet. It’s non-negotiable for me! I bring it into every hotel room and wash it frequently. It gives me a sense of comfort and helps me create a familiar environment, even when I’m sleeping somewhere different every few nights.

I also pack self-care essentials that allow me to decompress. Whether it’s journaling in the hotel room, putting on a playlist, or taking a few moments to myself in the van ride from the airport, I’ve learned how important it is to create little pockets of peace throughout my day. I figured out a long time ago that this job is what you make it. It can get lonely if you don’t make an effort to create the kind of environment and lifestyle you actually enjoy.

Journaling has become one of my favorite ways to process my thoughts and emotions. Whether I had a great flight or one that tested every ounce of my patience, I like having that time to reflect instead of carrying the energy from one day into the next. I’ll also make little to-do lists or mini itineraries when I have a longer layover.

When I say I make the most of my layovers, I mean it! I love finding a new matcha spot, riding bikes, checking out local experiences, or signing up for something I’ve never tried before, like a perfume-making class. If I’m in a city where my friends or family live, I’ll try to coordinate some time with them. That’s honestly one of my favorite perks of this job. Imagine getting paid to stay in a hotel and having the opportunity to turn your layover into a little day trip with people you love. Sometimes I’ll even have friends come spend the night with me!

Those moments give me something to look forward to and make the lifestyle feel a little less like constantly being on the go. However, on the trips when I can’t see anyone, I’ll reserve some time to FaceTime my friends, have a virtual girls’ night, or simply send a text that says, “I’m thinking of you.” Staying connected doesn’t always require being in the same room. Now, after interacting with hundreds of people throughout the day, sometimes the best thing I can do is absolutely nothing. I need silence, a little alone time, and space to recharge. You learn to recognize when you need that, too.

And dating? It can be easy or challenging depending on the person. For me, it’s been pretty manageable because this isn’t a traditional 9-to-5. Depending on your airline, seniority, and schedule, there can be flexibility to move things around, pick up trips, or drop trips. Having someone who’s open-minded and understands your lifestyle makes a huge difference.

You also get creative with spending time together. Sometimes your person can travel with you, or you can pick up a trip in the city where you live. That way, you’re technically working, but you’re also home. It really comes down to finding someone who understands that your schedule might look different from theirs.

What Living Out of a Suitcase Has Taught Me About Flexibility, Independence & Making the Most of Life

If there’s one thing this career has taught me, it’s that you don’t have to live life one way to enjoy it. I think the flexibility is what made me fall in love with this lifestyle in the first place. I’m someone who loves new experiences, a change of scenery, and having something different to look forward to. I joke that I need a little newness in my life, and this career gives me exactly that. No two days ever feel the same, and honestly, that works for me! Beyond the travel, this job has challenged me to explore the other parts of myself, too. Being a flight attendant is one part of who I am, but it has never been the only thing I want to experience or accomplish. I’ve learned to make room for my other passions, create memories outside of work, and be intentional about the kind of life I want to build.

It’s also made me a lot more independent and fearless. When you’re constantly on the go, you eventually stop waiting for other people to be available before you experience something. You learn to take yourself out, explore unfamiliar places, try new activities, and get comfortable figuring things out as you go. Some of my favorite memories have come from simply deciding to do something on my own instead of waiting for the perfect person, time, or opportunity. I think that’s one of the biggest gifts this lifestyle has given me: the freedom to experience life in my own way.

Living out of a suitcase isn’t always glamorous. There are early mornings, long travel days, missed connections, heavy bags, and moments when all you want is your own bed. But there are also spontaneous adventures, friendships made in different cities, unexpected experiences, and memories you probably wouldn’t have made otherwise. I’ve learned that home doesn’t always have to be one particular place. Sometimes it’s the familiar things you carry with you, the people you stay connected to, or the little routines you create along the way.

Five years later and a different airline I can honestly say this is a lifestyle I would choose again. Not because it’s perfect, but because of the person it’s allowed me to become. I’ve collected more than passport stamps and hotel key cards. I’ve collected stories, experiences, and little pieces of myself from every place I’ve been. And those are things I’ll carry with me long after I put the suitcase down.

This post was created in paid collaboration with Responsival. As always all thought and opinions are my own.