Flight Attendants Reveal 12 Tips That Will Make Your Next Flight Much Better

Check out these hacks, tips, and tricks from cabin crew that’ll make flying the friendly skies much more friendlier.

Flight crewmembers do so much more than pass out snacks and beverages. They are not glorified waitstaff nor are they servants. They’re highly skilled in first aid, conflict resolution, identifying possible human trafficking, emergency management, and much more. They undergo rigorous training, including the completion of annual and bi-annual exams to maintain their flying license.

Their sole responsibility is to make sure that each passenger arrives at their destination safely; and in a dire situation, they are the ones best equipped to guide and support you. So, don’t be afraid to say hello, offer a kind smile (or “smize” while wearing a protective mask), or even offer the crew something to brighten up their day (and make your flight a friendlier one.)

With the return of air travel at an all-time high, we tapped these mile-high heroes for trade-secret tips and tricks. Crew members from Delta, Etihad, Norwegian, and Virgin Airlines gave us the scoop on what will help you board faster, fly smarter, and make your flying experience as stress-free as possible.

Ever wonder why crewmembers aren’t jumping to place your heavy luggage into the overhead bin or seem far too eager to get everyone in their assigned seats? That’s because they are not compensated during the boarding process; therefore, the time clock starts running only once the doors are locked. That means avoiding heavy lifting pre-takeoff since if there’s a mishap, crewmembers are ineligible for worker’s compensation. If you’re struggling with your bag, you may have to rely on a fellow passenger to assist you, so do your best to carry what you can lift above your head.

Have you ever cringed as you watched someone struggle to cram their carry-on into the overhead bin like they’re playing a live-action game of Tetris? It could be the position of the bag, or it could be that the bin is full. If there is a little space, try placing the bag (and/or shift the other bags) to lay lengthwise instead of sideways for a better fit.

Another way to keep the boarding process moving is to look for bins that are already open and place your item(s) there–but as close as possible to your assigned seat. For example, if you’ve been assigned seat 23F but you place your bag in the bin above 10E, you could risk delaying the flight if the person assigned to 10E boards later and is struggling to locate a space to store their belongings. Once deboarding commences, 10E will then have to push their way further to the back to grab their bags from another section, and potentially delaying your debarking.

Using the Seat Alerts app before your flight will show how the seat map looks in the airline’s system. How it works: Airlines regularly block out seats or even entire rows that are shown as “unavailable” to passengers during online check-in. Those seats are released at the last minute or never released as long as the flight isn’t full. Why does this happen? The purpose is to accommodate families or special circumstances that unexpectedly arise enabling the crew to move passengers around with greater ease.

Airplanes can be very dehydrating due to changes in altitude, temperature, and airflow of the cabin. Be mindful that the water quality on your flight will be poor unless you have bottled water, which includes the hot water used when serving coffee and tea. On the off chance that an airline doesn’t offer free water or they run out of water bottles, you can ensure that you stay hydrated by carrying a water bottle. There are a few ways you can do this: You can carry an empty bottle, travel cup or mug, flask, or even something collapsible and fill it up at a fountain after going through security. If you don’t feel like carrying your own around, you can always purchase water at one of the airport shops.

Since you’ll be staying extra hydrated during your flight, you can take the opportunity to stretch your legs on your way to the restroom. Getting up every once in a while, especially during a long-haul flight, will also encourage blood circulation. You can also consider wearing compression socks and stretching your legs while seated, but you should seek the advice of a physician in these instances, especially if you’re at risk for blood clots. If you hate feeling disruptive or squeezing past people in tight spaces, booking an aisle seat enables you to be a bit more mobile with ease. In contrast, if you’re someone who doesn’t like being disturbed, you should opt for a window seat and use the window as a headrest.

Source: Fodor’s Travel News