As a former flight attendant, I have seen many travelers take offense to a flight attendant’s request to follow an airline rule. I can honestly say that flight attendants do not try to make passengers unhappy. In contrast, happy passengers make for a comfortable flight for everyone. Flight attendants are simply doing their job, and that job comes with rules and regulations they must follow and ensure that you do as well. Not enforcing the rules exposes flight attendants to fines and loss of employment. Here are a few reasons for the rules some passengers take offense to.
Seatbelts.
Although it may be comfortable not to wear a seatbelt, there is an excellent reason for ensuring that passengers wear their seatbelts during the flight. One of the most compelling reasons is air turbulence. There are times when turbulence occurs without warning. If this happens and a passenger is not wearing a seatbelt, they can be severely injured or killed. One of the reasons this does not occur often is because flight attendants ensure seatbelts are worn.
Exit seats.
Airplane exit seats are desirable because of the extra legroom. However, many passengers conveniently forget that the extra room is there to get people out of the airplane in an emergency quickly. This reason is why young children and disabled people are not allowed to sit in the exit row. Imagine a young child trying to open and throw a 70-pound window exit or someone unable to get out the exit quickly. Flight attendants are required to ask before every flight if a passenger is willing and able to assist in the event of an emergency. Moreover, there is no time to rearrange seats in an emergency. Therefore, even when the exit seat is available, there may be a reason a passenger is unable to sit in it.
The seatbelt sign.
Passengers must be seated before the aircraft can leave the gate and stay seated until the seatbelt sign has been turned off. This rule is not an airline rule but an FAA rule. Although there are rare cases, flights have had to stop on the runway suddenly, and if not seated, passengers can be hurt. In addition, airplanes can occasionally collide, which is another chance for passenger injury. However, these occurrences are rare, and so often, passengers think walking around to be of no danger when that is far from the truth.
Disruptive passengers have become more and more common recently. However, passengers should understand that flight attendants are doing a job that requires them to enforce the rules. Not following these rules can impact passenger safety and jeopardize a flight attendants’ job. Challenging flight attendants on basic rules is simply being rude. By sharing this information, I hope that the reader will be just a bit kinder to flight attendants next time they get on an airplane and merely follow the rules.
Almost every person has a smartphone and a mobile App they use every day. Many travelers use their phones no matter the destination. But now, more than ever, travelers take advantage of mobile Apps to help them through the travel process. Whether planning a trip or getting help during a trip, some Apps can help you save time and money and make the travel journey much less stressful. Here are three Apps I think every traveler should have.
Airline Apps.
Airline Apps have significantly improved over the past few years. While they are not often used to purchase tickets, they are most assuredly used to enhance the travel experience. Airline Apps allow you to see your travel itinerary and essential information such as booking codes and ticket numbers. This information is often overlooked but can be crucial when discussing your travel with ticketing agents. The airline app will also allow you to check in for your flight, change seats or select meal preferences. In addition, the App will have up-to-date travel information, sometimes even before it displays on airport information screens. Travelers can also opt-in for travel alerts to notify them of flight delays, gate changes, or flight cancellations. Some airline Apps even allow you to watch airline entertainment from your mobile device. These are just a few of the advantages of having the airline App when traveling. So, if you plan to travel, check if the airline you plan to travel on has an App and download it before you go.
Flight booking Apps.
Plenty of flight booking Apps are available that all claim to help you find the best trip at the best price. The best perk of a flight booking App is that it compares many flight options all in one place. The best flight booking App depends on the travelers’ preferences and priorities. Some Apps will help you with the best time to book and purchase a ticket. Some are better if you want a guaranteed refund in the event of delay or cancellation. Most importantly, travelers can set alerts for price drops and can take advantage of flight bargains when available. Like airline Apps, flight booking Apps also keep all your flight information in one location, even previous booking information. In addition, many flight booking Apps will also provide options for hotel or rental car information and suggest tourist trips or destination information. Whether you have precise flight booking needs or flexibility with your travel dates or destination, a flight booking App is a great place to start.
Hotel Apps.
Hotel Apps allow travelers to create a more customized experience and a convenient way to discuss their hotel needs with the hotel. Many hotel Apps now have a mobile check-in and check-out process and mobile key cards for hotel room access. With some hotel Apps, hotel guests no longer have to interact with front desk personnel or stand in line for check-in or request a room upgrade. The hotel App may also link other hotel services such as ordering room service, booking dining reservations, making spa appointments, or requesting your car from the valet. Like the airline and flight booking Apps, hotel Apps allow guests to have all their booking information in one location. If you plan a hotel stay, see if your hotel has an App, and take advantage of the many benefits it may provide.
These are just a few of the available travel Apps and I did not name any specifically because I think preference is personal. If you want a more customized travel experience, travel Apps may help you realize a better service experience. Do you use any travel apps? Comment below and let me know.
In my years as a flight attendant, I have had passengers try to claim premium seats, embellish their airline status, and even claim to have paid more for their ticket than they did. Passengers do not realize that the flight crew is provided a passenger information list (PIL) or passenger manifest list before the plane leaves the gate. That PIL has a wealth of information on passengers. Here are a few things your flight attendants may know about you when you board the airplane.
Name.
You must provide identification before boarding an airplane. Before that airplane leaves the gate, a passenger list is provided to the flight crew listing everyone on board by name. This information is often utilized in premium cabins to personalize the flight experience, but it is available for everyone on the airplane. Immigration also uses this information to prescreen arriving and departing passengers.
Seat assignment.
Recently a flight had to be returned to the gate because passengers refused to leave premium cabin seating. Although there may be empty seats on the airplane, they are not for the taking. Seat assignments are allotted by ticket pricing, airline status, and other factors. Flight attendants do not assign seating, the gate agents do, but flight attendants have some leverage in reassigning seats while on board. Often passengers are asked to accommodate other passengers traveling together. However, once you are assigned a seat, you do not have to give up that seat assignment unless requested by a flight crew for a specified reason.
Airline status.
Depending on your airline status, you may be entitled to certain perks onboard the airline. Many were the days when I had passengers declare themselves to be “million” milers, platinum passengers, or VIPs demanding a particular service. That information is available on the passenger manifest, so claiming a status you are not is often a waste of breath.
Flight itinerary.
One of the initial reasons for the passenger information list was to assist passengers with connecting flights while onboard. Before landing, the flight crews are provided with connecting gate information. When traveling in a premium cabin, passengers are often individually given connecting gate information before the list is relayed to main cabin passengers. This list also helps flight attendants request other passengers’ patience to allow connecting passengers to deplane first. In some cases, if seats are available, the flight crews can move passengers closer to the front of the airplane for faster deplaning.
Travel status.
With the many security matters that have arisen since 9/11, flight crews now can know if you are traveling alone or with a group, if you have or need medical assistance while onboard the aircraft, or even if you have been a problem passenger on a previous flight. If a problem arises and authorities meet the flight, they will already have your information when the flight lands.
I hope you realize that you are far from anonymous when you board an airplane or travel in general. The flight attendant can note your behavior, bad or good, in your flight itinerary. It’s not all to your detriment however, I remember wishing passengers a happy birthday, congratulating couples on their wedding or anniversary, even upgrading passengers for special milestones, or assisting grieving passengers. Were you aware of how much your information is shared? Please comment below and let me know.
Although many people love traveling, the actual flight time is not the most attractive part of traveling. As a former international flight attendant and someone who commuted to work by air travel, there are a few ways travelers can make their flight more tolerable. Here are a few tips from my lived experience.
Research airlines.
Travelers should research the different airlines not only for fares. Services and amenities are also used to rank airlines. Although I worked for an American carrier and knew the airline well, my preference for personal travel was not always for the airline I worked. Airlines differ in how they handle the services they offer, booking flexibility, and luggage fees, to name a few. While one airline you research may show the lowest price, it may not be the best flight available for your needs.
Seat selection.
Many travelers prefer a particular seat selection, and as an experienced traveler, seat selection can make a difference. However, not all airlines are configured the same, and knowing where your seat is located on the airplane can make a difference. Frequent travelers are more conscious of choices when a seat map is available for seat selection. However, if you are unfamiliar with flying, looking up the aircraft configuration can be pretty helpful in seat selection. For example, a person who prefers an aisle seat may be much more comfortable with a seat selection that is not an aisle rather than an aisle seat that is direct across from a bathroom.
Entertainment.
As a former international flight attendant, I can honestly say that the service advertised is not always available. If the flight’s entertainment system happens to be unavailable, it is not considered a no-go item by the airline. Additionally, flight attendants are not engineers. If your particular seats’ entertainment system does not work and there are no other seats available in your class of service, this means that you may have to travel without entertainment. A traveler’s best bet is to always have their entertainment by downloading movies, books, music, or podcasts in enough quantity to entertain themselves.
Amenity kits.
Premium passengers on long-haul flights are usually given an amenity kit. The kits typically include a toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, eyeshades, earplugs, perfumes, lotion, and usually a pen. They may also come in some neat packaging that can be reused as pouches for other accessories. Once my old airline provided one that could be used as an iPad cover when it first came to market. Amenity kits will also have branded items from many top brands such as Tumi, or Ferragamo to name a few. Many travelers can create their own with travel-sized items packed just for inflight purposes.
While travelers cannot always choose the flying time or be able to have their class of service, they can always make the flight a more pleasant experience. I hope these tips help. Have you any to add? I’d like to know.
If there’s anything that provides an authentic travel experience, it’s long-haul flights. As a flight attendant, I commuted to work by air from Dallas, London, Germany, and Singapore while being an international flight attendant in New York. It is not a commute I would recommend, but it worked for my lifestyle at the time. Here are a few tips for anyone taking a long-haul flight, especially in the times of Covid.
Sanitizer wipes
Sanitizer wipes are a must-have for travel to help protect yourself from the Covid virus. In the case of travel, the more you have, the better. Instead of using one wipe for all the different surfaces, you are cleaning, use one per item. For instance, one wipe for the seatbelt buckle and another for the tray table. Doing this prevents cross-contamination. You will always be able to get more at your destination as they are readily available everywhere.
Masks
You cannot board an airplane without wearing a face mask as you are more exposed to many more people and spaces that you are unaware of. However, as with all face masks, frequent changes are necessary. It is preferable to wear masks that do not directly touch your face for long-haul flights as they are more bearable for breathing. Most airlines will provide face masks, but face masks come in many different varieties, and if you have a preference, then it’s logical to have extras of your own.
Comfortable clothes
Wearing comfortable clothing makes sense. However, depending on how many flights you have, a change of clothing between flights is recommended to prevent cross-contamination and spreading any virus you may have touched. Travelers should have a separate bag to place any used clothing.
Snacks
On long-haul flights, unlike domestic flights, snacks are usually provided. However, having your snacks prepared by your hand is highly recommended. Not only will your snacks be prepared by you, but they will be of your preference and maybe a healthier option than what is provided by the airline.
Class of service
Many will say that all passengers arrive simultaneously, so the class of service does not matter. If you’ve even had an opportunity to travel in premium cabins, you may beg to differ. Traveling premium class is not all about fine dining and china. There’s something to be said for more legroom and being able to recline more than 4 inches on a long-haul flight. Arriving at your destination tired but not worn out is the ultimate goal of premium class travel.
Consideration should be made in choosing your seat on an airplane, especially over long distances. Frequent travelers usually have a preference noted in their flight record and know to get to the airport early to request a change if their choice is not available. Here are a few ideas on seat preference so you can make a more educated choice the next time you fly.
Middle seat
The middle seat is usually considered the worst seat. Inevitably, there is a struggle for an available armrest, and you are stuck tucking your elbows close for the entire flight. However, there are some benefits to the middle seat. If you have a close connection, choosing a middle seat closer to the front of the aircraft allows you to deplane faster than another choice further back on the airplane. Additionally, choosing a middle seat makes it more likely that someone else will choose another row rather than be next to you. In many cases, you might end up with the entire row to yourself or at least have a seat next to you open. There’s no guarantee, but if you have no choice.
Bulkhead seat
The bulkhead seat is the seat directly behind a divider partition on an airplane. If you’re tall, this is one of the best options for seating as it has somewhat of built-in legroom. The caveat is that not all airplane designs are the same, so checking out the airplane diagram before deciding is recommended. The negative of a bulkhead seat is that it is also the desired space for parents traveling with babies or lap children. Many airlines provide bassinets that can be attached to the wall for babies to sleep on long-haul flights. Additionally, all items must go overhead as there is no under-seat storage. Considering the length of your flight will help you better decide on this choice.
Aisle seat
The aisle seat is also a preferred seat for those that are taller. With this option, you can stretch your leg into the aisle instead of having your knees bent for the entire trip. However, you must be careful as flight attendants cannot see over the serving carts, so you’re also more prone to get hit by a service cart if you’re not careful. Additionally, you will have to get up to allow your seatmates to leave their seats.
Window seats
Window seats are great if you do not want to be bothered by anyone, and they are great if you’re going to sleep as they can also double as a headrest when sleeping. However, getting out inflight to leave your seat can be a hassle as you must ask your seatmates to get up or somehow try to climb over them to get out. If you have a small or weak bladder, I do not recommend this seat.
Exit row seats
These are the seats that have removable windows or doors used to exit the aircraft in an emergency. One nice feature of an exit row seat is that it usually has more legroom. Therefore, it is another excellent choice for taller people. One drawback is that it has an age restriction and disability restriction, so travelers with disabilities or families with young children cannot be seated here. Another disadvantage is that some exit row seats do not recline or have limited recline ability. Additionally, exit row seats tend to be colder as you are seated next to a door or window with seals. Make sure you dress accordingly for these seats.
People often ask my preference in seating, and it varies for me. If it’s a short flight, I use the bathroom before and choose a window seat. For longer flights, I prefer the aisle. I try not to get bulkhead seats as small children are usually nearby, but I like them if my other options are unavailable as I have more legroom. I’d choose a middle seat over another if it’s closer to the front of the airplane. I avoid exit row seats because I find it colder. What’s your preference? I’d like to know
