There are specific topics that flight attendants often discuss among themselves. But today, they will make an exception for us and share some non-obvious lifehacks that they have used more than once while sitting in the passenger seat. And be sure, they know the whole system inside out and are perfectly able to not only circumvent some of its rules, but also to utilise various loopholes to achieve maximum comfort during the flight.
Always bring your slippers.
At some point, you’ll want to take your shoes off to let your feet breathe. However, no matter how comfortable you feel, other passengers may not be thrilled with the sight of your bare feet.
Luckily, there is a compromise — bring disposable slippers with you. They’re comfortable enough to wear on the plane. And at the end of the flight, you can throw them away.
Toilet floors accumulate a lot of bacteria. So, it’s better to let everything that ever happens on the plane stay there — you don’t want to carry it with you to the hotel or straight into your house.
Don’t drink water on a plane.
It’s essential to stay hydrated when flying, but it’s better to bring your water on board. Although “airplane” water is supposed to be safe, it’s challenging to clean the water tanks thoroughly, so there are plenty of bacteria.
This also applies to tea and coffee. So, drink only bottled water. It’s better to refrain from other drinks. The only thing that is okay is ice. Simply because it can be delivered to the plane in a ready-made form, although it’s better not to take any risks, in some cases, it’s also produced on the spot.
Bring wipes with you.
If you want to use the air vents to provide yourself with fresh air during the flight, don’t be lazy to wipe them before switching them on. And preferably do it with alcohol wipes rather than ordinary wipes.
Also, direct the air flow to your lap, not directly to your face. This is why you will sleep away from dirt and harmful germs in the air. Remember that it’s much easier to catch a cold in flight than on the ground, so it’s better to take care of yourself.
In addition to cleaning the air vent, be sure to wipe down the tray table too. They are not always thoroughly cleaned between flights, and people sometimes do things to them that are scary to imagine.
For example, some parents use them to change their baby’s diaper. And then, where do the “waste products” go? That’s right, they go into the pocket on the back of the front seat, so don’t forget to wipe it thoroughly too.
But that’s not all! Some passengers prefer to travel with their small dogs. And they sometimes keep them not on their laps, but on our long-suffering table. You can only imagine the number of bacteria on its surface.
Be careful of seat pockets.
If you do forget something on the plane, there is a good chance it will be something you put in the pocket on the back of the seat in front of you. Electronics, including laptops, tablets and phones, are often left there.
People also forget books and notebooks in there. Or maybe something a little more serious. A passport, for example. This is why it’s always a good idea to check your hand luggage and ensure you have all the essential items shortly before leaving the plane.
Be polite to airline staff.
Although this applies to other people as well, if our rudeness and disrespectful attitude in any other place may not lead to anything bad for us personally, on an aeroplane, it can turn into an unnecessary headache.
For example, even at check-in, you can be deliberately assigned a seat next to a family with small children. And the flight attendants will then be unable to help you in any way. At the same time, if you are polite and friendly with the airline staff, who knows — you may even be transferred to a higher class seat or a more direct flight.
Also, keep in mind that if you frequently fly, in addition to earning miles, you also have a small file that all airline staff should familiarise themselves with in advance. In particular, there is a section for notes.
If you have always been an exemplary passenger and have tipped the staff in the past, you will most likely receive better service next time. However, if you’ve been rude and generally a total headache, this will be noted in your account, and you won’t receive any favourable treatment. Alas!
Choose seats in the back of the plane.
There is no doubt that by choosing seats at the front, you will get off the plane faster at your destination. And you won’t have to worry too much about turbulence. However, if you do choose seats further back, you can get much better service.
According to one flight attendant, some of them ignore requests from the front of the plane. Mainly because they are often short of various small things, such as extra pillows, earplugs, and toothbrushes, etc, by giving it out to the front rows, they involuntarily show all the items to the others, which can provoke a wave of various requests evenif the passengers didn’t need any of these items in the first place.
Don’t sleep through the whole flight.
It’s a preemptive toast too, nod and nod during a go-ahead flight. British flight attendant Kris Major revealed that this is one of the worst things passengers can do.
“Don’t just go to sleep and just sleep your way through, because you’re staying on your own time, you’re not helping your own body clock to readjust your circadian rhythm,” he explained.
The secret to coping with jet lag is to try to adjust to the new time as quickly as possible, so it’s best not to resist it — unless you don’t plan to be at your destination for very long.
Wear more practical clothes.
Experienced flight attendants advise dressing comfortably. It might seem that this is common sense, but not everyone follows this rule in practice. After all, you can occasionally meet passengers who fly in flip-flops and T-shirts.
For most people, an outfit like this may seem comfortable and straightforward, especially when heading to a warm destination. However, it’s best to prioritise safety first.
The perfect outfit is simply comfortable clothes that won’t get in your way and won’t snag on anything if you need to leave the plane quickly. This also includes replacing flip-flops with more comfortable sneakers that won’t fall off even if someone steps on your foot.
Layering your clothes also plays an important role. Just in case you get too hot or, on the contrary, too cold on the plane. In the latter case, of course, you will be given a blanket, but it is unlikely that someone has disinfected it thoroughly before that. So it’s better not to take any risks.
Brush your teeth as soon as you arrive.
To quickly recover from a tiresome flight, take your toothpaste and toothbrush and brush your teeth. This simple action can help you recharge and freshen up. Remember, toothpaste and a toothbrush should always be at the top of your list. Keep them at hand, in your hand luggage.
Luckily, many companies produce travel toothpaste tubes and brushes. So, they definitely won’t take up too much space. But they will come in handy on a long flight.
Credit by: Brightside.me
