Celebrity airport photos are basically a masterclass in off-duty style. One minute, Jacob Elordi is hauling around a designer duffle big enough to fit half his wardrobe; the next, Zendaya is making a trench coat look like the next must-have accessory.
And those candid pap shots reveal more than just what A-listers wear between flights. From oversized sunglasses and cozy eye masks to the snacks, earbuds and random little essentials they swear by, we’re looking at what celebs actually carry, wear and get spotted with while travelling.
Because if there’s one thing we’re stealing from their travel routines, it’s the stuff that makes flying a little more stylish (and a lot less annoying).
1. Jacob Elordi’s Oversized Carry-All
Nobody does a travel bag like Jacob Elordi. The actor’s Bottega Veneta collection is basically its own fandom at this point, and one of his best airport moments came courtesy of a classic woven Intrecciato duffle in baby pink, when he arrived in Sydney for the premiere of Wuthering Heights.
His bags are so recognizable that they’ve blown his cover. When Jacob and Kendall Jenner tried to sneak through Brisbane Airport in masks and caps after his birthday trip, Elordi was carrying an oversized black woven Bottega Veneta tote and a large taupe Gucci duffle, and the internet clocked them instantly. The good news? You don’t need a designer budget to get the look, with shops like ASOS offering oversized duffle bags that are just as handy for weekend getaways.
2. Emily Ratajkowski and Nicole Kidman’s Big, Dark Sunglasses
The original paparazzi shield. After a red-eye, under terminal lights and camera flashes, a pair of big dark frames does the work of a full night’s sleep. Emily Ratajkowski nailed it this year by pairing oversized black sunglasses and a sporty outfit.
Nicole Kidman went the polished route at Sydney airport, finishing a Chanel jacket with dark shades. Even Vogue agrees that oversized sunglasses are making an “exciting fashion comeback,” proving that the bigger the frames, the better the airport disguise. From Emily Ratajkowski’s sporty oversized sunglasses to Nicole Kidman’s chic, tailored look, classic dark frames remain a celebrity favorite, with similar styles featured in designer sunglasses from Sunglasshut.
3. Hailey Bieber’s Skincare Essentials
Designer bags and statement sunglasses are one thing, but Hailey Bieber is making a case for giving your skin some extra love before stepping off a plane. The Rhode founder shared her six-step in-flight skincare routine in a video tutorial, focusing on keeping her signature glazed complexion hydrated despite the dry cabin air.
Her in-flight lineup includes a hydrating face mask, an essence or toner, Rhode’s Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream and Peptide Lip Treatment. The goal? Keeping her skin hydrated from take-off to landing. If you’re looking to recreate Hailey’s signature glazed-skin look at home, Rhode’s skincare range is worth exploring, especially if you love a dewy finish.
4. Zendaya’s Trench Coat
If there’s one jacket that photographs well at every gate on earth, it’s a trench. Both Zendaya and even Hailey Bieber leaned on them for airport looks this year, and it’s easy to see why. A trench hides a crumpled hoodie, layers over anything, and makes leggings look like a deliberate choice rather than a 5 a.m. compromise.
Zendaya went for an off-white trench by The Row, pairing it with a white skirt and black loafers from the same brand, while Hailey Bieber wore a cropped beige trench by Magda Butrym, styled with white trousers by The Row. Both looks prove that a good trench can do most of the outfit work for you. For a more budget-friendly take, H&M is worth a browse for classic trench coats that deliver that same effortlessly polished vibe.
6. Gabrielle Union’s Earbuds
Gabrielle Union has called her Beats earbuds a non-negotiable, and anyone who’s sat near a crying toddler on a six-hour flight understands completely. “My Beats earbuds, those are key,” she told The New York Times in 2017.
Whether she’s tuning out cabin noise or getting lost in her favorite playlist, earbuds are the ultimate carry-on essential for making even the longest flight feel a little more peaceful, with plenty of budget-friendly alternatives to Beats available, too.
7. Jennifer Garner’s Healthy Snack Stash
Not every celeb is focused on designer bags or sleep hacks; some are more concerned with keeping their in-flight snacks healthy and their hunger in check. Jennifer Garner is famously prepared.
Her go-to is pistachios, and she’s joked that packing her own snacks while traveling keeps her from ending up “knee-deep in her neighbor’s rigatoni.” Totally relatable! Airport food is expensive, plane food is a gamble, and a bag of nuts in your tote is the cheapest celeb habit on this list.
5. Shay Mitchell’s Silk Eye Mask
Shay Mitchell built a whole luggage brand, Béis, around traveling well, so when she says she swears by the Slip silk eye masks for flights, we listen. Silk is gentler on skin and hair than cotton, and a good mask turns a cramped seat into something closer to a nap pod.
“Eye masks are great for a plane, but also when you want to catch a quick nap in the middle of the day after a morning of swimming. I love the ones by Slip,” Shay told Allure in 2024 [via Hollywood Life]. If you’re serious about making in-flight beauty sleep a little more luxurious, a Slip silk eye mask could be a lovely addition to your carry-on.
8. Meghan Trainor’s Wipes and a Little TMI
Then there’s Meghan Trainor, who has never met a detail she wouldn’t share. Her travel kit leans hard on wipes, and she’s been refreshingly open about exactly why. “I always have some kind of wet wipes in my bag, cleaning wipes, disinfecting wipes. And I notice I don’t get sick as much when I do that if I travel. [On] the plane, I wipe down the seatbelt, the headrest, the whole entire seat. And if there’s a TV there, I’ll wipe down the screens,” she told TODAY in 2025.
It may not be glamorous, but that’s what makes it great. Behind every perfect pap shot is someone who wiped down their tray table and probably a few other things too.
Celebrity travel style has landed somewhere between fashion and function. From Jacob Elordi’s designer duffles and Zendaya’s trench coat to Hailey Bieber’s skincare routine, these celeb-approved essentials prove that looking airport-ready is only half the story.
Silk eye masks, earbuds, healthy snacks and wipes help make the flight more bearable, while oversized shades keep the paparazzi at bay. Steal one piece or steal them all; either way, you’ll be travelling like you meant to be photographed.
READ NEXT:
11 Celebrities Who Swear by Microneedling
