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A former Ryanair flight attendant has shared some essential travel tips for passengers including the one item never to pack in checked luggage for safety reasons

A former Ryanair cabin crew member has revealed the one item travellers should never pack in their hold luggage.

Eleanor, who was stationed in Marseille, France, clocked up numerous hours flying across the globe with the well-known low-cost carrier. The 25-year-old content creator has chronicled various aspects of her experiences on YouTube, including posting a video discussing the advantages and disadvantages of working as cabin crew for the Irish airline.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror about what shouldn’t go in checked baggage, the ex-flight attendant explained: “I can say you’re not supposed to have any laptops or computers in the checked bag because an overheated battery could cause a fire – and if the source is not in the cabin there won’t be any way to stop it.”

While it’s not prohibited to place a laptop in checked luggage on Ryanair flights, it’s widely regarded as safer to keep it in the cabin where possible.

That said, if personal electronic devices must travel in the hold, Ryanair has four particular requirements you need to follow, as outlined in their terms and conditions.

Firstly, the device must be “totally switched off” and “effectively protected from being turned on accidentally”.

Secondly, any apps, alarms or settings capable of activating it must be disabled or deactivated prior to placing it in your bag for the journey.

Thirdly, you need to ensure the device is safeguarded against accidental damage, either through packaging or a protective case. Alternatively, it can be shielded by sufficient cushioning within a sturdy bag.

The final stipulation is that the device must not share a bag with any flammable substances, including perfume or aerosols.

Meanwhile, Eleanor also shared with us two seats that passengers might want to “avoid” when booking their holidays.

With her extensive experience, she understands better than most how particular seats can significantly impact a journey. She explained: “I can only say to avoid 11A. That’s supposed to be a window seat – but it doesn’t have a window! You won’t be able to see outside.”

Previously dubbed “Europe’s most hated” seat, there’s another one worth swerving, as she added: “Also avoid row 32 on the 737 MAX, an aircraft that Ryanair has only in some bases. That has emergency exits at the wings, and a crew seat near them that faces the passengers.”

Eleanor, who hails from Italy and is now based in New Zealand, elaborated: “So, if you sit in that row, you’ll have the flight attendant stare at you during take off and landing, and you’ll have to move every time they have to pass. It was very uncomfortable as a flight attendant, I imagine it is as a passenger also.”

Former Ryanair cabin crew member Eleanor has shared which seats to avoid when booking with the budget airline, while also revealing the best row to be in, especially if you want a quieter tirp

A former Ryanair cabin crew member has issued a warning to travellers about two seats they should swerve when making their bookings. Eleanor, who was stationed in Marseille, France, clocked up significant flight hours with the no-frills carrier and has pinpointed the seats that could seriously dampen your journey.

The 25-year-old content creator revealed to the Manchester Evening News: “I can only say to avoid 11A. That’s supposed to be a window seat – but it doesn’t have a window! You won’t be able to see outside.”

Eleanor isn’t the first member of cabin crew to sound the alarm about the infamous 11A seat, previously dubbed “Europe’s most hated”. It’s widely recognised as the sole ‘A’ seat on a Boeing 737 that’s missing an actual window.

But Eleanor didn’t stop there. Having previously documented the highs and lows of working for Ryanair on her YouTube channel, she went on to share additional guidance on seating choices.

Following her 11A caution, she added: “Also avoid row 32 on the 737 MAX, an aircraft that Ryanair has only in some bases. That has emergency exits at the wings, and a crew seat near them that faces the passengers.

“So, if you sit in that row, you’ll have the flight attendant stare at you during take off and landing, and you’ll have to move every time they have to pass. It was very uncomfortable as a flight attendant, I imagine it is as a passenger also.”

However, she stressed that on the whole, seat selection on Ryanair isn’t terribly crucial. This is largely down to the fact that flights tend to be relatively brief and there’s no complimentary meal service on offer, meaning your seating position won’t guarantee you’ll receive your food first, as it might with other carriers.

Eleanor suggested it ultimately boils down to individual preference, noting: “Another thing I can say is to avoid sitting at the rear of the aircraft, most because sometimes, although not often with Ryanair, only in some airports, you will have a bridge from the front and you’ll be the last one to disembark if you’re sitting at the back.

“And also because in case of ditching (controlled emergency landing onto water), that’s the first part that goes in the water, and you won’t be able to open the doors at the back, so you’re less likely to make it in case of a landing in water.”

For those keen to be more selective during booking, Eleanor, an Italian now based in New Zealand, reckons certain seats provide optimal comfort and are even guaranteed to be child-free zones.

She disclosed: “I would say usually it’s better to sit at the emergency exits in the middle of the aircraft, usually around row 17 for safety reasons. You have more space and also because children under 16 can’t sit at the emergency exits and infants under two can’t even be in the two rows before and ahead of the emergency exits.

“So these and row 1 are basically the only seats where you can be sure you won’t be spending your flight with crying babies next to you.”

Former flight attendant turned travel expert Jane Hawkes has told the Mirror what really happens if a passenger dies aboard an aircraft, while dispelling one widely circulated myth

A former flight attendant has opened up about what really happens should a passenger die at 30,000 feet, and the strict procedures crew members must adhere to.

Sadly, the fact is, we will all die one day, and we cannot always decide where this final parting with take place. With thousands of travellers jetting all across the world every day, it’s of course inevitable that not everybody who boards will reach their destination with their eyes still open. Fortunately, should such a sad event come to pass, you’ll be in good hands with the cabin crew, who will be specially trained to deal with this sort of onboard tragedy with care, dignity, and above all, discretion.

The Mirror heard from travel expert Jane Hawkes. Now a consumer champion, who specialises in travel, in a former life, Jane worked as a stewardess for a major UK airline. And as you might imagine from a job dealing with people from all walks of life amid the clouds, Jane, like all those in her profession, has to be prepared for the unexpected at all times.

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Discussing the skills required of all those who serve in the sky, Jane, from Gloucestershire, told the Mirror: “They’d have to go through aviation medical training to provide CPR if needed, to provide basic first aid, at least onboard an aircraft.” Within this training, flight attendants are also warned that there may be occasions when they are unable to resuscitate a passenger, after which point they will need to deal with a very different set of protocols.

According to Jane, who is now a Consumer Champion at ladyjaney.co.uk : “Obviously, if the passenger cannot be resuscitated, is showing no signs of life, then they would ask if there was a doctor or medical professional onboard because it’s not a crew decision to officially pronounce death. They would ask for a medical doctor, and they would then move them to a less visible area if possible. It could well be that the aeroplane is full. If the aeroplane is full, if all seats are taken, then they will just have to keep the body in the seat that it’s in, perhaps move it to the side, So at least move it somewhere so it’s in a side position if possible, because obviously, we dont want to be heavinga body around from one side of the aircraft to another and then cover the body.”

The crew will then make sure to wrap the deceased in blankets “as much as possible”, with a focus on preserving “dignity”. Jane explained: “Bodies, obviously, after they’re deceased, they’re not the nicest things to be around, and that’s the priorities, it’s safety and dignity. This is not a safety issue; this is a dignity issue in many respects, and it is unfortunate, of course, if it’s a long flight because that body will remain in situ for quite a long period of time.”

As challenging as this situation might be, Jane says it’s “very, very, almost completely unlikely” that the plane would divert in this instance, for a whole host of reasons, especially that, with no life left to save, this wouldn’t be considered a medical emergency. Indeed, it’s far more likely that the flight will continue on its intended journey, with the crew left to deal with the practical realities of having a body on a plane. This will naturally involve making sure to keep other passengers relaxed and as in the dark as possible about what’s going on.

Jane emphasised: “It’s kept very, very discreet, about as discreet as you can possibly do in the circumstances. Particularly if you’re the person who ends up sitting next to said body, which is still a possibility. They move people around as much as they possibly can, but you can’t magic seats up out of nowhere.”

In the course of her own career, Jane has had colleagues who’ve had to deal with this sort of heartbreaking situation, dealing with it by moving the deceased to a “less visible area” if possible, which may include the crew rest area. Meanwhile, passengers are given “very little information”, and may simply be alerted that there’s been a medical situation, with no further details.

Encouraging people to show compassion in this sort of devastating situation, Jane noted, “They will speculate, you see, this is it. People do speculate, and I think it’s quite worrying in that kind of instance. I think if anybody is on a plane and this happens, or they suspect that it’s happened, then just maybe bear in mind the dignity of the deceased and also those travelling with them. Because it may well be that there’s someone else. If you’re thinking about someone elderly, this was an elderly passenger that I’m thinking if in particular, it can happen anywhere at any time, but it happened on an aircraft.”

For many of us, this isn’t where we’d choose to spend our final moments, but Jane hopes that passengers will be reassured by the professionalism of the crew, who will be looking out for them “when the chips are down”. Of course, as pointed out by Jane, such instances demonstrate just how vital this sort of job actually is, with stewards and stewardesses being far more than simply “glorified hostesses in the air”. Stressing just how varied this role can be, Jane told us: “They are primarily there for your safety and well-being, and things like this are part and parcel of it. Sometimes they’re judge and juries, sometimes you’ve got restraint. So it’s much more than just serving you tea and coffee. In fact, that is just the fluffy bit that goes on top.”

On this topic, Jane has addressed rumours that flight attendants will go to extreme lengths to make it appear as though a deceased individual is still alive, perhaps “putting a hat on them so they can look at the TV or something.” As per Jane, nothing could be further from the truth. Jane said: “The crew are just going to keep it as simple and dignified as possible. You know, they’re not going to create a drama, a scenario where it looks like someone is still there. So I think, maybe dark glasses and a hat aren’t going to be the case. Looking towards the screen, positioned, you know it’s just not going to happen.”

Once the wheels hit tarmac, the crew face another challenge in terms of getting passengers disembarked safely and calmly, while continuing to preserve the privacy of the deceased and any loved ones who’d been travelling with them. It’s at this point that the emergency services will come on board. Outlining this process, Jane shared: “It could be, it depends on the procedures at whatever destination it is, it’s most likely that they would get the passengers off, and then they’d remove the deceased. So that is the most likely outcome. However, so people may notice then, while they’re getting their things together, that something’s not moving. So that may be noticed.

“But it could be, it could potentially happen that the body might go off first. But I think the best thing to state is that the emergency services will board and then the body will be taken off the aircraft. But passengers are usually allowed to leave their seats first. So you’ll clear the aircraft, and then you’ll deal with that.” She added, “In a medical emergency, you’d all be staying seated, and the medical and the passenger would go off first. So people might start to think, ‘it’s a medical situation they’ve come on the aircraft, but they’re waiting for us to get off first. They might think that’s a bit odd. But then they’ll realise perhaps there’s a bit more of a serious medical situation.”

Of course, once the body is off the plane, there will be further responsibilities to face, including a potential repatriation process. While it’s an ending few would imagine for themselves or a loved one, there is comfort to be found in knowing that, should the worst come to pass, cabin crew will be prepared and equipped to deal with such a sensitive situation.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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A cabin crew member met the love of her life on a flight to Tenerife after he helped her in an awkward moment – the couple are now happily married and about to celebrate their 25th Valentine’s Day together

Back in June 2001, flight attendant Alexis Milford-White went to work as usual, expecting nothing out of the ordinary as she boarded the TUI flight to the Canary Islands. Ready, as always, to assist her passengers.

Little did she know she was about to meet her future husband Stuart at 30,000 feet in the sky while he was heading off on holiday with his friends.

One simple act of kindness on his part “broke the ice” and the pair began meeting up regularly. Just two months into their fledgling relationship, Alexis was struck down with a debilitating illness, which is when Stuart really proved their love was the real deal.

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It was during a routine Boeing 757 flight from Manchester airport – where 32-year-old Alexis was based – to Tenerife that the lovebirds first encountered each other. Stuart, 24, was sitting in the emergency exit row and travelling on holiday with friends. He’d already struck up a conversation with the cabin crew member who had caught his eye when an unfortunate, clumsy moment saw him step in to save her blushes.

“We got chatting throughout the flight, and at one point he even helped me when I dropped the money from duty-free sales all over the cabin floor,” Alexis said. “It was one of those moments that just broke the ice”.

Thankfully, Stuart acted on his feelings and asked for Alexis’ phone number, messaging her shortly after, even though he was soaking up the sun with his pals. “Three days later, I got a text from Stuart, and that was it,” she said. “We stayed in touch throughout his holiday and would talk on the phone for hours, sometimes up to 12 hours at a time.”

Alexis, who had dreamed of being a flight attendant since she was a little girl, landed her role after taking a leap of faith and quitting her bank job. She believed her career path was “meant to be,” just as when she managed to work on Stuart’s return flight home from Tenerife, which she said “felt like fate.”

During the journey, the pair had the chance to make plans to meet when they got back in the UK. Although there was some distance between their homes, with Stuart living in Birmingham and Alexis in Preston, they made sure they hooked up weekly.

However, it was after just two months into their new and exciting relationship that Alexis became seriously ill with a spinal bacterial infection, which meant she could no longer walk. Such a debilitating health battle, with the challenges it brought, may have signalled the end for many new couples. But it only cemented their commitment.

Alexis was forced to give up work for a long time as she learnt to walk again using water rehabilitation, but Stuart was right there by her side. “Without hesitation, Stuart left his training in Birmingham to come and be with me,” she said. “He was an amazing support and it became clear very quickly we were meant to be together.”

After six months, he moved in with Alexis, and the huge Disney fans married in 2004 at Disney in Florida. They’ve been inseparable ever since and are about to celebrate their 25th Valentine’s Day together.

Alexis is now back working for TUI and thinks her travelling means they make the most of their time together. “We’ve had our ups and downs like any couple,” she said. “But if it wasn’t for that flight, we wouldn’t be together. I went to work that day thinking it was just another shift, and instead, I met my husband, and he’s my rock. Even after all these years, it still amazes me that love found us in the sky.”

Feb. 9 (UPI) — The unions that represent flight attendants and pilots who work for American Airlines on Monday expressed frustration with the company’s CEO, and in one case issued a unanimous vote of non-confidence in him.

The unions, which represent 28,000 flight attendants and 16,000 pilots that work for the airline, said that the company’s leadership has set it on “an underperforming path” amid aviation experts noting that Delta and United, American’s primary competitors, have made better decisions in recent years, CBS News and The New York Times reported.

“From abysmal profits earned to operational failures that have front-line workers sleeping on floors, this airline must course-correct before it falls even further behind,” Julie Hedrick, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said in a press release.

“This level of failure begins at the very top, with CEO Robert Isom,” she added.

The vote of no confidence from the AFPA comes as the airline has been pilloried by analysts and employees for its failure to increase reliability and its treatment of employees.

WFAA-TV reported that American Airlines directed reporters to a statement from Isom on an investor call last month, wherein he said that multi-year efforts are poised to deliver an improved, consistent customer experience and to maximize its network and fleet, with expectations that recent changes will “bear fruit” in 2026.

For its part, the Allied Pilots Association on Friday sent a letter to American’s board of directors calling for the company to reform its practices and better plan for the future.

“Our airline is on an underperforming path and has failed to define an identity or a strategy to correct course,” the union said in the letter. “Copying competitors’ initiatives and reactive repairs to the mistakes of the past is not a strategy that closes the gap between American and our premium competitors, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.”

A flight attendant has revealed the one clothing item you should never ever wear on a plane and instead leave sitting in your suitcase as she claimed it’s ‘unhygienic’

If you’re planning on going abroad for a holiday or any other type of trip, the outfit you choose to wear on the plane might not be the most important thing to try to decide, but it should be. What you decide to wear on a plane can deeply impact your comfort levels as you’re sat in a cramped airplane seat for hours.

While it may seem like a simple thing to decide, it can prove to be more complicated than originally expected. While jeans often feel overly restrictive, opting for shorts and sandals risks leaving you shivering throughout the journey. If you’re currently struggling with this wardrobe decision for an upcoming flight, there are some crucial advice you should take notice of.

Taking to TikTok, one creator named Cher, who boasts over six years’ experience as a flight attendant, has recently shared her expert recommendations to her 24,000 followers. She highlights specific items of clothing that passengers should keep packed away in their luggage rather than being worn on travel days.

“Outfits I surprisingly approve of as a flight attendant,” she said at the start of her video, before she went on to first explain the clothing items to avoid wearing on a flight.

She went on to firmly argue that wearing shorts aboard aircraft should be ‘illegal’, as it exposes your legs to the ‘gross’ seats – having previously disclosed they’re rarely properly sanitised, meaning you never known what might be hiding on there.

Flight attendant’s perfect travel outfit

So what should you wear on a flight? Cher’s recommended outfit comprises loose, comfortable trousers, trainers, a simple T-shirt and a jumper providing shoulder coverage. This combination suits both gentlemen and ladies, allowing you to utilise any suitable items already hanging in your wardrobe.

“This is the perfect travel outfit no matter what,” she declared.

It ensures you appear presentable while remaining comfortable and shielded from the ‘gross’ seats and frequently chilly cabin temperature.

Nevertheless, should this ensemble not appeal to you, alternative options exist. Cher suggests two better alternatives, with the first one being a long maxi dress.

“Any variation of a long dress like this is cute, and your legs are covered, they’re not touching the seat,” she elaborated.

She also explained that wearing a long maxi skirt could be another approved outfit, but saying to also stay away from sandals as she ‘wouldn’t have her toes out’.

“But with trainers, this would be perfect,” she told viewers.

Cher continued to suggest any outfit featuring a matching set with a long skirt and top is an excellent choice for those wanting to appear stylish yet comfortable at the airport. This could also work for men, who could opt for matching sets of trousers and a top.

So there you go – some simple yet chic outfit ideas for your next flight!

A flight attendant has shared a simple hotel room safety tip that doesn’t require any expensive security gadgets

Hotel stays typically involve minor inconveniences – sluggish Wi-Fi or uncomfortable pillows – but feeling unsafe shouldn’t be one of them.

Sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings whilst travelling can leave you feeling exposed, and it’s perfectly understandable to worry about safeguarding your belongings when you’re away from home.

Nina Bolders, a flight attendant with 15 years of global travel experience and founder of Fly Me to the Vegan Buffet, has revealed a straightforward technique she employs to enhance her security in hotels.

She explained: “Even in a five-star hotel in the safest country, you sleep better when you know that no one can sneak into your room unnoticed while you sleep or shower.

“I used to make my own alarm system by placing a glass or cup on the doorknob and another one on the floor underneath, hoping that the noise would wake me up and maybe even convince the intruder to leave.”

Whilst it may seem peculiar, positioning cups or glasses on or close to your hotel room door can create considerable noise should someone attempt to enter whilst you’re asleep.

Thieves typically seek out straightforward opportunities and may be deterred by unexpected commotion, or pause if they spot an obvious warning sign, as this indicates the room’s occupant is vigilant.

It’s a straightforward method to boost your sense of security when you’re on the road without needing to pack extra items or spend additional cash. Numerous hotels provide door wedges, which can be wedged into your door before bedtime to prevent anyone from attempting to enter your room.

It’s advisable to store essential items, including your phone, wallet, and passport, in an easily reachable spot so you can monitor them regularly.

The most secure location for valuables is either on your person or within a bag that remains in your sight at all times. Should you need to leave them behind, it’s worthwhile purchasing a portable lockbox.

Nevertheless, the most crucial thing to bear in mind whilst travelling, according to Nina, is to trust your gut instinct and remain vigilant in busy areas you’re exploring.

She advised: “Be alert when strangers approach you, especially around tourist attractions or when things happen or are being said that make no sense. There are a lot of thieves and scammers out there.”