air travel

A former Caledonian Airways cabin crew member has shared her advice on what foods to avoid on-board and explains why a more expensive travel class may not mean a better meal

Many airlines have been striving to improve the poor reputation of in-flight food by expanding their menus. But one former cabin crew member says there are some foods you should still avoid.

Charlotte Crocker spent 12 years working as cabin crew on long-haul flights for airlines including Thomas Cook, Astraeus and Caledonian Airways. Speaking to Metro, Crocker shared what in-flight food you should avoid, and explained why the meals are so salty.

When it comes to food worth avoiding, the ex-air hostess shared that passengers should avoid any food (fruit and salad in particular) that isn’t served in a sealed packet. “Cabin crew are trying their best, but it gets very busy in the galley during catering, sometimes lids get dropped and salad doesn’t always get washed,” explains Crocker.

READ MORE: Cabin crew reveals two popular drinks you should ‘never’ consume on a flight

Though she emphasises that you are unlikely to get food poisoning on a flight and that travellers just need to use “common sense” when it comes to what they’re eating. She also shared that she avoids drinking alcohol on planes.

“Personally, I don’t drink alcohol on planes as it’s very dehydrating. I also try to stay away from anything fizzy as well as food that’s too salty or spicy because it causes bloating and nobody wants to be unwell on a plane.”

You may have noticed that the food choices in the cabin are not known to be particularly healthy, and tend to be quite salty. She added: “It’s difficult to have healthy food at 35,000 feet” and there is a reason it’s usually sodium-heavy.

“Our bodies are functioning differently at that [high] altitude, so our tastes change and the food becomes bland, so we end up having to put lots of salt and seasoning on the meals to make it taste better,” she explained.

She also says that if you are looking for quality food, you’ll probably need to upgrade your seat. “If you’re in economy, the frozen meals are not the greatest quality and that’s because of the budget – if you want really cheap flights, you’re not going to be able to have the type of food that you get in first-class, which is of a much higher standard.”

That said, the ex-cabin crew member admits it’s difficult to produce decent meals when you don’t have a proper kitchen on-board, which affects all classes of passengers. “The galley in first-class is lovely but the ovens aren’t actually any different to the ones down the back of the plane.”

Crocker says that the best meal to eat on a flight is actually the one you bring yourself. While she and her fellow crew used to “polish off whatever passengers didn’t want” this didn’t leave her feeling great.

“There’s too much fat and salt in the meals and snacks – I would end up feeling absolutely horrendous,” she said. “I had to reprogram myself and start taking my own food on flights. It’s a complete pain to have to do meal prep, but it makes such a difference and I recommend giving it a try as it’s so much better for you.”

Each airline has specific guidelines on what food and how much you can bring into the cabin, so you will need to familiarise yourself with these regulations before flying. Crocker says she usually opts for “packet soups, tea bags, oatcakes and instant porridge pots” – though keep in mind some crew members warn against drinking the hot water on planes.

British ex-pat Peter Kempson’s video of a terrifying failed landing in popular holiday hotspot Rhodes has gone viral, with passengers on the Boeing 737 fearing for their lives

Nervous flyers should look away now. In horrifying scenes that left tourists fearing for their lives, a passenger jet ‘bounced’ down the runway and almost crashed after a chilling ‘missed landing’.

The Enter Air plane was travelling from Poland to the holiday island of Rhodes in Greece when the windy conditions caused chaos as it attempted to touch down on the runway.

The plane had experienced a missed landing, meaning the pilot had to abort his approach at the last minute due to dangerous winds. According to British ex-pat Peter Kempson, who posted a video of the drama on Facebook, the situation was dire.

“Having already done one aborted missed approach, the Enter Air Boeing 737-800 (SP-ESE) – arriving from Gdansk, Poland – bounced on the runway and came very close to an engine or wing strike,” said the aviation enthusiast, who was enjoying a coffee in the Airport View Café with friend Tony Cowell when he filmed the bumpy landing.

READ MORE: ‘I booked £2 return flights to Tenerife with British Airways using credit card’

The 71-year-old’s video attracted more than 300,000 videos on the social media site, with one commenter having first hand experience of the scary landing. “I cried on that plane,” said Marta. “I thought we were going to die. Everyone was screaming.”

Landing on its second approach, the Enter Air plane was filmed bouncing from side-to-side on the runway after the hard landing at Rhodes International Airport last Friday. “Being an aviation enthusiast with a like-minded old friend visiting from the UK, we decided to go to the Airport View Cafe,” said Peter. “With the windy conditions that day, we thought the excellent viewing location of the cafe would be worth visiting to watch the arriving aircraft land in the very challenging conditions.

“Strong crosswinds can lead to many missed approaches, bumpy landings and diversions at the airport.” The plane fan praised the pilot of the Boeing 737 for having “showed great skills in very challenging weather conditions”.

At the time of landing, there were crosswinds of up to 45kph. “Rhodes Airport is known for challenging landings when the wind is from the south east and above 15 knots,” Peter explained. “This is due to hills on the landward side or the airport often creating wind shear. Nine times out of 10, Rhodes airport has westerly winds which align with the runway and are more stable.”

Reports suggested several other flights had been diverted to nearby airports including Athens, Kos and Dalaman due to the strong winds on Friday. Locals commenting on Peter’s video included Terry who said it was: “Very close to fatal crash” with Keeley admitting: “I would be crying if I was on the this one”.

Other people were full of praise for the skill of the flight crew, with one local saying: “Jeez, that was risky…” and another adding: “Congratulations to the pilots and the crew of the aircraft”.

One flight attendant has taken to social media to shed light on why crews always greet passengers at the plane doors prior to take-off – and it goes beyond just simple politeness

A flight attendant has shared insider information about why passengers are welcomed at the doors of a plane during boarding. Frequent flyers will be familiar with the standard boarding protocol that includes a warm welcome at the plane doors – usually consisting of big smiles and gentle direction to the correct aisle to find your seat.

Naturally, this is assumed by many to be a show of basic politeness, considering flight attendants are the face of any airline. Another common assumption is that the greeting is meant to lay the groundwork for a pleasant flight experience or even, to simply check boarding passes for one final time.

However, one working flight attendant alleges that hospitality is not the primary motivation for the warm reception. The real reason for the greeting is to give flight attendants the opportunity to conduct a visual assessment of passengers before take-off.

In a now-viral TikTok video, MrsMiva – who claims to work for TUI out of Stuttgart airport – has explained flight attendants use the boarding process to check if passengers are able fliers. According to the creator, flight attendants need to determine if passengers are “too drunk or sick to fly”.

In the caption for the video, MrsMiva explains that the pause at the door helps attendants see who might be able to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency. The video – which has been viewed over 18 million times – started a lively conversation in the comments section, with many seconding MrsMiva’s claim.

Many commenters confirmed they’ve certainly experienced the attendant greeting and that the reason behind it is valid and logical. One commenter who also claimed to be a long-time attendant confirmed the policy, writing: “FA (flight attendant) of eight years – or to check if they could be an ABA (able-bodied assistant).”

The comments took a turn as users began to explain the different types of flight attendants they had encountered in their travels. Some said they had “really chill” attendants, while others added theirs were helpful when they were in poor condition to travel.

Being able-bodied and physically fit is a requirement of passengers wishing to sit next to emergency exit doors, which may be why attendants double-check this at the door. Emergency exit seats are often coveted for their extra legroom, though they can cost extra.

Passengers that sit near the emergency exit doors must be willing and able to assist flight attendants in the unlikely event of an emergency. For this reason, Ryanair’s terms and conditions state that it “can change your allocated seats at any time, even if you had reserved it, if we need to do this for operational, safety or security reasons.”

The airline’s guidelines stipulate that passengers who wish to sit in rows 1, 16, or 17 where emergency exits are located must meet certain criteria, including being over 16 years old, capable of assisting in an emergency, travelling without an infant, not requiring airport special assistance of any kind, not requiring a seat belt extender, and not having an extra comfort seat booked.

Many flight attendants have begun sharing trade secrets on social media, letting passengers in on the reason for many common behaviours or practices. Another TikTok account recently revealed why flight attendants sit on their hands while they’re in jumpseats.

Another cabin crew members also shared when it is – and isn’t – acceptable to recline your seat on an plane. And how you can ensure you have a more enjoyable flight and be a considerate passenger.

A viral TikTok has reignited the long-standing debate of airplane decorum while flying with kids. Now, cabin crew have shared their top secret tips for keeping little ones calm on flights.

Airplane decorum, especially while travelling with kids, has long been a point of contention.

Recently, the subject came to the forefront on social media after a TikTok video prominently featuring an exasperated traveller and the antics of a young child behind her who couldn’t stop kicking her seat garnered over 240k views.

The divisive clip reignited the long-standing debate among viewers as audiences were split over who should address the issue. While one user suggested confrontation was key: “You gotta be confrontational and tell them to stop, unfortunately”, another proposed seeking cabin crew assistance: “Just call the flight attendant”.

Yet another user offered advice suggesting the direct involvement of the parent: “Just tell the mother to get them to stop”.

Luckily, a cabin crew manager has now weighed in. Travel experts at Netflights conferred with Cabin Crew Manager, Francesca, and received insights into the preferred course of action by crew members, parents, and fellow passengers in such circumstances.

Delving deeper into aviation secrets that can be employed for maintaining mid-flight serenity, Francesca shared some insider tips with the travel company.

Cabin crew secrets for child management

Engaging activities as distractions: Francesca shares: “If the children are aged between three to four and are walking around, then we will get them to help with rubbish to distract them.”

Incentivising positive behaviour: The cabin crew manager reveals another trick of the trade when it comes to flying with kids: “If kids are playing up, we will say that if they behave well, we can give them treats from the bar; however, this is at the cabin manager’s discretion, so it shouldn’t be expected.”

Keeping one’s cool: Francesca stresses the importance of remaining calm and shares: “We have to remain calm, considerate and approachable. We always put ourselves in the shoes of our customers.”

Tips for parents

Supply numerous distractions: Sharing the gold-standard of in-flight tactics that can be deployed on kids, Francesca advises: “Parents should bring colouring books onto the flight, as bringing things that stimulate their minds will help the situation, and minimise children from getting agitated when flying”.

Stash nutritious nibbles: It’s important for parents travelling with kids to ensure their children are well-fed and snacking on healthy options. Francesca says: “Make sure your kids have eaten beforehand or have healthy snacks when flying. Snacks help to keep little ones settled and can be a nice treat to lift their mood.”

Strategise slumber: The flight attendant shares another top tip: “Making sure to plan naps for your children is a useful tip, so children don’t become tired and irritable. Planning your child’s sleep in advance can ensure you are organised and feel prepared for long travel days.”

Seat switcharoo

As a cabin crew manager, Francesca is all too aware of some passengers’ demand for a seat switch, but asserts that shouldn’t be the default expectation. She explained: “Some passengers complain that they don’t want to be seated near children, however, we remind them that families are also paying customers. If there are available seats, then we can move them there, however, passengers shouldn’t presume they will be able to move, as the aircraft can often be full, with no spare seats available.”

Travelling solo can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be lonely. Travel expert Will Sarson has shared his top tips for beating loneliness while travelling alone.

If you’ve ever ventured on a solo journey, you’ll know it’s an extraordinary adventure. Solo travel lets you set your own rhythm, immerse yourself in new cultures, and bond with the locals.

Yet, it can also pose its own set of challenges. Travelling on your own might sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness.

Will Sarson, Travel Expert at Riviera Travel, has shared his six essential tips for overcoming loneliness and maximising the enjoyment of your solo travel escapades. He advised: “Whether it’s friends or family you’re missing, it’s important to know what to do to navigate these feelings to get the most out of your trip.”

His primary advice is to have a plan full of activities – whether that’s a beach day or a guided excursion, reports the Express.

Will explained: “When enjoying a solo holiday, it’s important to plan ahead and arrange enjoyable activities to keep yourself engaged and avoid feelings of loneliness.”

“Smaller tour groups are often a better choice for solo travellers. Many holiday packages are designed with this in mind, ensuring those travelling alone don’t feel overwhelmed or lost in a crowd.”

It’s equally crucial not to shy away from engaging with locals or fellow travellers. Even though it may seem daunting, initiating a conversation is worthwhile – you never know what insights you might gain.

Will remarked: “Taking that first step can increase the chances of establishing strong connections and making lifelong friends.”

Chatting with individuals from diverse countries, backgrounds and cultures can widen your horizons. Solo travel is supposed to be enlightening, and striking up conversations with new people plays a key role in this experience.

Opting for a cruise or group tour tailored for solo voyagers ensures you’ll be among other lone adventurers, offering company when desired or the option to relish solitude.

The evening often poses the greatest challenge to evade feelings of loneliness – spending the day exploring might keep it at bay. To combat feeling down as dusk falls, carving out some quality relaxation time is crucial.

Getting engrossed in an absorbing book or podcast, or taking an evening stroll through the local neighbourhood can be perfect remedies.

Will emphasises: “I believe it’s extremely important to plan for the downtime in the evenings, to avoid long nights with nothing to do – which naturally increases boredom and loneliness.”

For those about to embark on a maiden solo journey and who may harbour some apprehension, Will suggests joining a dedicated tour for solo travellers. He advises: “These trips often include thoughtfully planned itineraries designed to keep solo travellers engaged and connected with others. For example, a welcome dinner on the first night gives travellers a chance to meet fellow solo travellers.”

Gone are the days when solo travellers had to make do with substandard lodgings, with many travel companies now offering spacious rooms or for those on cruises, double cabins that boast all the comforts one would expect on a group or family getaway.

If you find yourself still trying to stave off homesickness after booking a packed itinerary, taking some alone time, joining a tour, or attempting to forge new friendships, there’s no shame in reaching out back home. Will advises: “Checking in while abroad can give people a sense of comfort. Social media can be a great way of keeping in touch while on a solo trip while also allowing friends and family to know you’re safe.”

“It’s not often you get to enjoy a holiday on your own, so my best advice is to embrace it, learn from the experience and do your best to enjoy it! Solo travelling is a fulfilling experience that forces people to cultivate independence and enjoy their own space.”