Flight attendants often have the inside scoop on how to navigate air travel like pros. From securing upgrades to surviving long shifts, they've gathered tips and insights over their years of service.
Take Jane Hawkes, who has spent decades in the skies. Now, as a consumer expert, she shares advice on how to enjoy travel without breaking the bank.
According to Jane, if you're eyeing a complimentary upgrade, steer clear of saying the word "upgrade" at check-in. Instead, subtly mention any special occasion; check-in staff might just reward you with an unexpected boost to First Class or at least some complimentary perks.
Another key to scoring upgrades? Travel solo, if possible. Jane notes there's a higher likelihood of being upgraded when flying alone, especially if you're dressed smart-casual instead of jeans.
But upgrades aren't the only reason to heed flight attendants' advice. Jane includes practical travel tips like using packing cubes to save space and stuffing socks or small items inside shoes.
When it’s time to board, she stresses maintaining cleanliness too. She carries anti-bacterial wipes to deal with germ hotspots, especially tray tables, which she claims are often cleaner than on-board toilets.
"You'd be surprised by what you find," she warns. Jane recalls witnessing one particularly shocking scenario where a baby’s diaper was changed on a tray table mid-flight.
And here's something to think about for the cleanliness conscious: timing matters. Booking the first flight of the day ensures your aircraft has just undergone thorough cleaning from the night before.
For those considering other enhancements to their flight experience, Jane humorously cautions against joining the 'mile-high club'. She hasn't directly witnessed anyone getting caught, but warns airplane restrooms aren't exactly sanitary.
Then there's Alaska Airlines' flight attendant Justine, who elaborates on what makes pre-flight the hardest part of her day. During boarding, they're juggling not getting paid for their time and managing passenger stress levels.
Justine articulates, "The most frustrating aspect is being responsible for representing the airline without being compensated for time spent boarding." This makes the chaotic boarding period particularly draining for flight attendants.
Interestingly, they're often expected to help nervous flyers settle down as well. Justine describes this as demanding her emotional energy, all during unpaid time.
She also offers useful boarding tips for passengers. For starters, have your bags organized before you step onto the plane to ease storage issues.
Justine highlights, "We often see passengers stuff jackets and various items above, which leads to chaos later on." Keeping the aisles clear is also important for everyone’s convenience.
Meanwhile, Justine fielded the tough questions about the best and worst types of passengers to deal with. Amorous couples, for example, can definitely be on the bad list due to potentially distracting behavior.
Equally troublesome are intoxicated passengers. Justine warns, "If you're hammered, you're no use to anybody, least of all yourself, should something go wrong." A good reminder for all about the importance of moderation.
Then, there's the issue of vaping on board, which creates unnecessary panic among fellow flyers. Seeing clouds of vapor isn't what anyone hopes for mid-flight.
Flight attendants also appreciate passengers who understand plane etiquette. Justine and others urge travelers to find their seats and stay put instead of creating traffic jams.
Politeness goes a long way, too! According to Justine, "Simply greeting the staff can make the flight experience smoother." Many don’t even respond to casual pleasantries from the crew.
From the unvarnished chaos of the boarding process to the stresses of serving guests mid-air, flight attendants have valuable advice for travelers. Enhancing your flying experience doesn’t just benefit you but can lighten their load too.
Finally, for those who dread long workdays, some flight attendants have turned to Amazon for practical finds. Items boosting comfort after being on their feet all day is now part of the survival toolkit.
One flight attendant emphasizes foot relief products as lifesavers after strenuous shifts. After all the hustle and bustle of traveling, it’s about ensuring comfort and care, particularly for those serving the passengers.
