If you want to know how to have a great flight, who better to ask than flight attendants? Their office is literally in the air, and they spend more time on planes than the most travel-worn road warriors. Flight attendant secrets can help you choose what to bring on your trip, how to pack your luggage, how to get some much-needed rest during your flight, and even how to reduce the risk of getting sick. Below are some of the most helpful flight attendant hacks and how to apply them to your travels.
What Do Flight Attendants Bring On Board?
The right travel gear can mean the difference between a relaxing and stressful flight. The following is a list of flight attendant must-haves and flight essentials:
- A light blanket.
- A sleep mask (if you want to sleep).
- Ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
- A good book.
- A phone or tablet with charging cables.
- A neck pillow.
- Socks in case your feet get cold.
- A reusable water bottle you can fill in the departure lounge.
- Eye drops, moisturizer, and lip balm to combat dry cabin air.
- Spare clothing and underwear.
- Disinfecting wet wipes.
It can get a little cold on the plane (socks), it’s noisy (ear plugs or headphones), and light may shine through the window right into your eyes (mask). You don’t want to use the plane blankets because of general germiness (be sure to wash your blanket as soon as possible after travel). And nothing beats a good book.
How to Pack Your Bag Like a Flight Attendant
You’ll rarely see a flight attendant with checked luggage: they prefer the convenience of a carry-on bag and personal items for navigating airports. Boarding with all your bags means less time checking in and waiting at the baggage carousel at the end of your flight. True, carry-on bags offer less space than checked luggage, but these organizational secrets of flight attendants allow them to pack everything they need:
- Book a window seat: Sitting next to the window allows you to rest your head against the side of the plane.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes: Cabin pressure causes swelling, which can be uncomfortable if you wear tight clothing.
- A travel pillow, eye mask, and earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones help you get comfy and block out unwanted light and noise (and is a subtle way of letting fellow passengers know you don’t want to chat).
- Stay hydrated and avoid salty snacks, which can increase bloating.
Above all, manage your sleep expectations. No amount of flight attendant secrets can prevent rough turbulence or being seated next to a crying baby. Do what you can to get some sleep, but don't assume you’ll be landing well-rested and ready to go.
Flight Attendant Tips to Avoid Getting Sick
If you are a frequent flier, you have to protect against illness. Hundreds and thousands of people travel on a plane every week, so you have no idea what germs might be lurking on and around your seat. Flight attendants have it even worse: they’re in close proximity with thousands of travellers every week. To reduce their risk of falling ill, flight attendants have developed strategies to minimize their exposure to cabin-borne germs.
Keep a few personal disinfecting wipes with you in a resealable bag. Wipe your arms and hands and wipe down the armrests, tray table, and monitor screen if one is in front of you.
Drink water before and during the flight. Staying hydrated is the key to staying healthy, so drink plenty of water. Alcohol is a diuretic (it makes you pee more) and should be avoided.
Try not to touch anything in the lavatories with your hands. Always have a paper towel in your hand when you open and shut the lid, flush, and use the doorknob. Don’t go in there barefoot either. Wash your hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds, and then wipe your hands down with disinfecting wipe.
Other flight attendant secrets include:
- Pack a mask in your personal item and wear it if necessary.
- Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
- The aisle is where all the foot traffic is. Choose a window seat to reduce the risk of breathing in germs spread by passersby.
- Never eat directly off the tray tables. Yes, they get cleaned between flights, but they see so much use they’re difficult to completely disinfect.
- Avoid tea or coffee from the flight attendant cart. The hot water tanks used on planes can contain bacteria. Ask for bottled water instead.
- Try to relax: stress impairs your immune system.
Choose Attractive, Durable Luggage
One last flight attendant secret: if you want to know what brands of luggage to choose, check out what the cabin crew uses. Flight attendants value luggage such as the Travelpro® Platinum Elite Softside Luggage collection because of its winning combination of style, quality materials, durability, and organizational features. If a bag is good enough for a flight attendant’s busy schedule, it’s well worth the investment!
