The Best Christmas Gifts for Travellers and Aviation Geeks 2022

If you have another keen traveller in your life or perhaps want to get some suggestions for your own Christmas wish list, here are some of The Best Christmas Gifts around this year for travellers.

For someone special

The ultimate travel memoir – SPECIAL TLFL OFFER

If you want to get a really special gift for Christmas or a significant birthday, a travel memoir book made just for them is the ultimate present. TLFL has teamed up with Master Storytellers to offer a special bonus when you quote TLFL. The books are written by highly respected travel writers.  Having visited almost every country in the world and won countless awards for their exotic and evocative tales, their professional travel writers live and breathe new cultures and experiences.

Some of the titles they have been published in include National Geographic, the Washington Post, Daily Telegraph, Metro, Lonely Planet, Wanderlust, and The Times. You will get a consultation to establish exactly what you require and then an interview either face to face or by phone to capture all the important memories before a professional writer transforms it into an amazing-looking book.

If you would like to buy a book as a gift, you get a luxury gift box that contains a voucher, brochure and special card that a personal message can be added to. The upgrade for TLFL readers includes extra chapters, images and copies and is worth more than £350. Just quote TLFL.

You can find the travel memoir details here.

For aviation geeks

Tags/key rings made from a B747 or other aircraft 

A plane cocktail shaker

I love the look of this stylish cocktail shaker that would look great as a display in your living room before you whisk it off the stand to shake up a quick martini or two! You buy it from Flight Store. They also have some rather nice coasters that I have my eye on. 

Another option is a mini travel cocktails shaker which you can get from Amazon here. 

For music lovers and film buffs

Noise-cancelling headphones

For me, the most essential piece of equipment for long-haul travel is a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Not only is the sound normally better than the ones supplied on the plane but they are way more comfortable too

Nearly all the very frequent travellers I know, as well as myself, use the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Bluetooth headphones. They aren’t cheap but being wireless as well as offering fantastic sound quality and great noise reduction, they are worth the splurge. I have the older version but the QC45s are even better and only slightly more expensive. is even better with Alexa compatibility and three levels of noise cancellation. However, others have switched to Sony WH1000XM3. which experts agree are superior and around the same price. You can read the review of the headphones here. 

AirFly Pro Wireless Flight Adapter: Bluetooth 5 Audio Transmitter

One of the annoying things about having wireless headphones is not being able to use them with the in-flight entertainment. Although Virgin’s new aircraft has wireless Bluetooth compatibility, most airlines don’t. This gadget from Twelve South AirFly Pro plugs into the headphone socket on the aircraft and then relays it to your headphones.  You can pair it with a second device, too if you wanted to watch something together.

Here are the specifications:

• 16 hours+ battery to cover even the longest flight with USB-C charging cable
• Use your AirPods, earbuds or wireless headphones anywhere with no more cords in the way.
• Compatible with inflight media services in dual mono mode
• Compatible with portable games consoles and other 3.5mm audio devices
• AirFly features industry leading Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Low Latency Codecs
• AirFly Pro has a 10m/33ft reach so you can relax with plenty of space to enjoy your content.

You can find this Bluetooth Audio Transmitted on Amazon here. 

For those that like to look their best and smell lovely!

Aesop travel sets

One smell that always makes me think of Cathay Pacific lounges (before they switched to Bamford) is the Geranium leaf range from Aesop. They make a range of travel sets that make a fantastic gift for anyone even if they are not into travel. The cheaper Arrival set contains Classic Shampoo 50 mL & Classic Conditioner 50 mL, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 50 ml wash and Rind Concentrate Body Balm 50 ml. There is also a departure set for £45. The Arrivals set costs £29.99 from Cult Beauty here. 

There is also the Ginger Flight Therapy which is an invigorating oil that will help alleviate tension, awaken the senses… and prevent you falling asleep on your keyboard. You just roll the oil onto pulse points, neck and temples then breathe deeply. It is also available from Cult Beauty. 

You can get 15% off your first order with code CBAFF15.

Mini perfume or aftershave atomiser

As I have not yet mastered the art of packing light, this next product is incredibly useful for lightening the load when travelling. Most perfumes and aftershaves come in big bulky bottles which weigh a ton and are fragile too. Travalo are the leading brand for travel atomisers. They are very simple to fill – simply take the spray top off your perfume or aftershave bottle and with a couple of pumps into the Travalo you have a ready-made mini spray to travel with. They are available in a range of colours and designs so if you want to take a few away with you, you will be able to tell them apart.  This would be nice extra gift if you are buying someone some perfume or aftershave this year.

It’s an ideal stocking filler. They do a single Travalo in various colours and well as various multi packs and more fancy designs. 

If you are trying to pack toiletries or make-up keeping it all organised is often beyond most toiletry bags. I like these drawstring bags that come in a variety of colours. You basically open it out so all your toiletries are there and then just gather it back up again with all the toiletries when you have finished.

Another option is a hanging washbag. This is the one I am currently using in Palm Springs and after having at least 20 before it, this one is a keeper! I like the fact that it easily zips into a rectangle shape unlike many of the others that don’t fold well. 

You can buy this hanging toiletry bag here. 

If you are travelling hand baggage only and don’t like the idea of face wipes, these special make-up remover cloths remove all your make-up without the need for cleaner. You just wet the cloth and away you go. They can easily be thrown in the washing machine afterwards.

There is also a pad version if you prefer something smaller. 

I also have a battery-operated sonic toothbrush for travel rather than take my bulky home one with the charger too. 

For those that love to be organised

I swear by packing cubes. Not only do they keep your stuff organised but they also allow you to cram more into your case by compressing the contents. They are perfect for trips where you move around a lot as you can simply put the cases straight into a drawer without having to unpack them properly. These Amazon Basic Packing Cubes are a good starting point but I also have a couple of the smaller bags as they fill gaps nicely and are a great size for underwear.

I have just tried a new set of packing cubes that are more focused on compression. The Gonex set look like a regular packing cube initially and then you can zip them down further until they are almost flat to compress the contents. If you like to cram a lot in your case, these may be a better choice! They come in a wide choice of colours and come as a pack of three of four. You can see all the colour choices and packs here. 

A classy gift choice is a travel jewellery box like this one. It looks stylish but I find them a practical solution to finding your jewellery quickly and keeping it tidy. 

For those that love their sleep

One of the best things you can invest in for a good nights sleep on a plane is a sleep mask and some good earplugs. Again, you will probably get handed an amenity kit with these in but they are rarely great quality even in first class. The best eye masks for sleeping are those that are contoured so that they don’t press down on your eyes. They are also useful for hotels where the curtains don’t quite meet! My suggested ones for a gift is the Bedtime Bliss Luxury Contoured Sleep Mask as it comes with a carrying pouch and some earplugs, so makes a nice gift set at £8.90.

Jet lag and SAD lamps

Whether you suffer from jetlag when you travel or are suffering SAD from lack of sunshine holidays, a Lumie lamp can help in both situations. Lumie have their own jet lag tips as well to give you a light schedule to overcome it more quickly. You can find it here. 

The recommended product is the Lumie Zest – Combination Wake-up Light and SAD Light Therapy which is portable. Blue-enriched white LEDs gradually brighten to fully wake you in the morning; five light levels provide bright light therapy during the day to lift mood, boost concentration, restore natural energy and treat the symptoms of SAD.

ou can find it on Amazon here. 

For gadget geeks

If like me, you end with a jumble of wires from various leads, earphones and chargers, the BAGSMART organisers could be the answer. They do a range of sizes from the BAGSMART extra large double layer which can hold up to an iPad Pro plus cables, earphones, adapters etc to the more compact BAGSMART Cable Organiser , there is one to fit every requirement. I find mine really useful for keeping everything tidy and easily accessible. Both Paul, Roving Reporter and I all use these. 

If you want something small that would make a stocking filler, these Anker lipstick chargers are small enough for pocket and provide enough for a full phone charge for most models. 

High tech luggage

Scooter luggage

When it comes to Christmas gifts for travellers, decent bags and luggage play a major role in planning a memorable trip. If you fancy making someone the envy of the airport as everyone else trudges miles to their gate or passport control, a cabin bag/scooter combi could be the answer. 

• The Kickboard is a suitcase, trolley and kickboard in one, taking the hassle out of travelling. The unique design allows you to move quickly and effortlessly through airports or business environments.
• The compact design collapses easily for easy storage when not in use.

You can get this Luggage Cart on Amazon here. 

Ride on luggage

This is the ultimate in airport ease with a ride on suitcase! It’s like an adult version of a Trunki!

Here are the specifications:

• One-second transform into a scooter, gear adjustable design,
• Suitable different heights
• long life endurance
• Branded PC-ABS material, TSA-coded lock, Mobile charging station
• 29.3L 
• External USB charging port

You can get this Airwheel Smart Riding Scooter Suitcase here. 

This Airwheel Robot Suitcase for Adult and Kids luggage is designed to help you travel with ease. You can stay hands free as the suitcase follows behind you. Ideal when travelling with a family. 

• Mobile Remote Control, it can connect to the mobile app via Bluetooth
• Intelligent Alarm System, SR5 and your mobile will sound the alarm when it’s separated from the user beyond a safe distance
• Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance; it can travel autonomously without bumping into people or objects as the smart sensors can scan and analyze the real-time surrounding info and identify obstacles
• Dual-Wheel Drive, Wheel-Hub Motor, rear wheel with dual-wheel drive up to 40W of power provides strong power for SR5.
• The removable lithium-ion battery complying with airline boarding requirements is able to charge your mobile phone, Pad and other electronics.

You can get this Airwheel Robot Suitcase for Adult and Kids here

As I often do flights with a number of connecting flights I have invested in a luggage tracker. I am currently using Apple Air tags which are amazing value and don’t need a contract like some luggage trackers. They work whenever there are other Apple users nearby on a mobile device. I identified my luggage when it was lost at T5 earlier this year and could see it being moved around Heathrow. 

There was also an interesting case recently where thieves stole luggage from a lost luggage courier company and the owner was able to find it from the Apple air tag. 

Another use would be if someone took your suitcase by mistake (which has also happened to me!). 

Inflight comfort

Finding the best travel pillow can make the difference between a great trip and an awful one. One of my favourite travel pillows is conveniently compact and super comfortable so that you can rest while traveling comfortably. It’s from well known matress company Tempur, – you can get the Original Travel Pillow here. 

More about this item:

• Supportive Comfort: Adapts perfectly to your natural curvature to relax neck and shoulder muscles
• Comfort in a mini size: Resembles the TEMPUR Original Pillow Medium in form and function, but is just half as wide
• Light & Convenient: The travel cushion can be easily rolled up and stored in its own travel bag to save space
• For Back & Side Sleepers: Made from TEMPUR Material for pressure relieving comfort, helping to align your spine
• The removable cover is machine washable up to 60°C
• 3-Year Guarantee

I often find that the quilts supplied onboard are too warm or I just want something top wrap around me when flying as it can be a bit chilly. An extra thick cashmere pashmina is what I use onboard.  This one comes in a wide range of colours too. 

You can get this Cashmere Shawl Wrap here.

Cashmere socks are also great for keeping your feet warm on the flight but without overheating due to the breathable and thermo-regulating blend of merino wool and cashmere. Yes you get some in the amenity kit but they are usually synthetic and poor quality. 

You can get these unisex Cashmere Socks here. 

For the keen travel photographer

In the past drones were too heavy and bulky to really take travelling but the newer models are much more portable. TLFL has tried the  DJI Spark Drone Fly More which features Quick launch with Face Aware so that it lifts off from your hand by recognizing your face!  It takes off and hovers in place within seconds of powering on and uses just hand gestures, without a remote controller or mobile device to control your drone. The latest model of the drone is the Mavic Mini Ultralight. 

If you want to get someone who loves taking photos something a bit different, why not try a 360° camera? I bought a Ricoh Theta SC camera and have absolutely loved taking 360° photos. You can post them on social media as well as viewing them online or on your device. Photos can also be taken remotely too via an app if you don’t want to get yourself in a shot. It comes in white and blue as well as pink. You can find more details here on the latest SC2 version. 

And finally the novelty gifts or stocking filler…….

I recently bought one of these fun boarding pass mobile phone cases. They have one to fit most phones and you can personalise it with their home airport or one that perhaps has a special meaning. You can also get an air pod case with a similar design. You can see both products here. 

If you want something a little bit different you could try a scratch-off world poster map. The difference with this is that as the recipient travels they can scratch off the countries they visit as a nice memento of all their travels.

These fun seatbelt keyrings can be personalised and you can choose from most major airlines and aircraft manufacturers for the front of the buckle.

For the avid reader, there is this fantastic book which was a Sunday Times Bestseller and Book of the Week on Radio 4. In it, the author talks about the wonders of flying including insights into the mechanics of flight as well as many stories about his career. 

For those that are keen mileage runners or perhaps if you like to get the maximum out of an offer you could try Milage Maniac by Steve Belkin. I wrote in detail about the book here.

If you aren’t keen on the onboard fizz, then why not pop a mini bottle of fizz topper in your liquids bag to make a cocktail on board? Muji are great for mini travel bottles for your toiletries in every variety from tubes to pump dispensers. 

What’s your favourite travel item that would make a great gift? Let us know in the comment below or on social media. Happy shopping…… and the best part is that you can do it all online!