http://www.checkerdist.com/products/OG2105
This is a link to an Omnigrid fold up item that is padded on one side for ironing and a cutting surface on the other and folds in the middle. They have a smaller size and a larger size. They are great for traveling. You can put your applique block and pieces in the middle and when you fold the unit up it will keep your applique nice and neat, no folds. And, you can attach your needle to the soft ironing side. You will still need a small container for your thread. Instead of sissors when traveling on planes I use the Clover needle threader - it has a thread cutter built in, so need for sissors.
http://www.checkerdist.com/products/4073CV
You can get both of these at Joann's with a coupon for cheaper than what shows on the links I posted.
Or, another option is this quilters traveling case. I don't have one, but it looks like it would work and has good reviews and would hold everything you need along with your applique blocks.
http://www.joann.com/omnigrid-quilte...case/prd18838/