Flight attendant secrets

Picking the right plane seat can make all the difference to your journey – and one flight attendant says there’s a simple strategy that could leave you with a much more comfortable flight

Whether it’s a weekend break or a long-haul holiday, most travellers spend at least a little time trying to pick the best seat on the plane that they can find. Now, one flight attendant has shared the plane seats she always recommends booking in economy – along with the ones she avoids at all costs if you want a more relaxing flight.

Air hostess Sandra Jennie Kwon, who posts as @jeenie.weenie on TikTok, explained how she worked out her ideal seat after years of working onboard aircraft. In the video, she says: “The first elimination should be a no-brainer – the middle seats suck.

The back row of every section doesn’t recline. I’m not a tall person, so I don’t need the emergency exit rows. There’s also nowhere to store your personal belongings there. They also have those flimsy tray tables and seats, so let’s scrap them.”

The travel expert then revealed why she prefers sitting towards the back of the plane, explaining that airlines typically fill seats from the front first to help with weight distribution.

Because of this, she believes passengers at the back are more likely to end up with an empty seat next to them.

“For those odds, I prefer the back,” she said. “Seats near a toilet really stink, so I recommend a five-row buffer just to stay in the safe zone.”

She also ruled out window seats for one simple reason.

“I hate asking people to move so I can use the toilet,” she explained. “So I eliminate all the window seats.”

However, she admitted there’s one advantage to sitting closer to the front.

“Meals are typically served from front to back, so you have a higher chance of getting your first meal choice.”

After weighing up the pros and cons, Sandra revealed her ideal economy seats are 49 C, D, F or G.

Her advice quickly sparked debate online.

One person joked: “No! Now everyone will rush to these seats and they’ll become more expensive than business class.”

Another wrote: “I was listening right up until you scrapped the window seat.”

A third added: “The amount of people that’ll be fighting for seats 49 C/D/F/G after watching this… omg.”

While someone else commented: “Me taking notes even though I probably won’t be on a plane for another year.”

A Wizz Air flight attendant explained why cabin crew greet passengers and revealed that they use ‘secret codes’ when everyone is boarding

A cabin crew instructor has revealed that flight attendants often use a ‘secret code’ when greeting passengers. As most travellers know, it’s common to be greeted by cabin crew when boarding a flight. Whether you’re excited for your holiday or a nervous flyer, it’s reassuring to be met by a friendly face and know there’s help available as you find your seat and get ready for takeoff.

While crew members enjoy welcoming passengers on board as part of their service, there’s another important reason passengers are greeted at the door, and it might surprise some. Gabriel Randone, a Wizz Air Cabin Crew Instructor, told the Mirror that flight attendants are trained to greet passengers as part of their safety measures.

He explained that cabin crew complete a “mental scan of passengers” to ensure that everybody is fit to fly. What’s more, he says cabin crew are taught a secret acronym that they check during the process.

While Gabriel couldn’t reveal all of the details, as the acronym is not shared with passengers, he did explain what cabin crew would be looking for. For instance, cabin crew will check whether anyone appears aggressive or intoxicated. They’ll also keep an eye out for any medical conditions that could prevent someone from flying. “The goal is safety,” Gabriel said.

Any passengers seated near the emergency exit rows will also spot cabin crew hanging around in the area for similar reasons, Gabriel said. The instructor explained that the crew are trained to assess passengers, as some “categories of passengers” can’t be seated next to the emergency exit.

While many passengers might try to book the emergency exit rows, as they are classified as extra-legroom seats, Wizz Air’s website makes it clear that they are not suitable for all passengers.

The airline’s website states: “For safety purposes, regulations prohibit passengers under 16 years old, overweight passengers, individuals with special needs, expectant mothers, and those travelling with infants (under two years old) from occupying Extra Legroom or Front Row seats.”

Passengers seated in these rows must be able to open the exits in case of an emergency, and they receive a briefing that makes this clear. This protocol is so important that if nobody books the seat, the cabin crew will find a volunteer to move there.

“Sometimes, because the flights might not be fully booked, there would be no one close to the emergency exits”, Gabriel explained. “So what we need to do is to select someone who we call an ABP, an able-bodied person, and select them and to move them close to the emergency exits so that they can help out in case of an emergency”.

In the event of an emergency, the passenger would need to detach the safety cover from the door and pull a lever to open it. As Gabriel explained, every second counts in an emergency. “In an emergency, our priority is to get you out as quickly as possible,” he said. “We only have 90 seconds to evacuate a full cabin with 239 passengers.”

You can find out more about Wizz Air’s routes on wizzair.com.

A couple who were flying out of Manchester Airport were furious after realising a major downside to spending £150 each on seats with extra legroom – with the couple vowing ‘never again’

A passenger on a plane was furious after paying £150 for extra legroom on a flight, before realising one major downside. Being comfortable when travelling is one of the most important things for passengers.

Depending on where you are travelling to, you could be on a plane for up to 19 hours, so being somewhat comfortable is important if you’re planning to sleep while onboard. There are a number of ways people can ensure comfort on a flight including upgrading seats to extra legroom or buying a first-class ticket for the duration of the flight.

Upgrades, however, do come at a cost which can be thousands of pounds on top of the initial flight price – which can already be pricy enough.

But if you’re travelling on a smaller plane, the only upgrade available can be a seat with extra legroom, also known as exit row seats.

Sitting in this row means that you must both be physically and mentally able, and willing, to help cabin crew open the heavy exit door and assist them in the event of an evacuation.

One couple, from Manchester and Yorkshire, flew out of Manchester Airport and decided to upgrade to seats with extra legroom for £150 each.

They were initially happy with their seats, until the flight took of and the seatbelt signs were turned off, and they instantly realised the downside to paying extra money for their flight.

The couple said: “You pay £150 for extra legroom seats just to have people queuing for the toilet right in front of you. The British people see a queue and love to join it. There was a free toilet approx 10 rows back but here they are.”

They shared a video on TikTok showing the situation, where a crowd of people were seen standing waiting for the toilet right in front of them.

The couple were unable to extend their legs and were forced to be sat the same as anyone else on the flight due to the amount of people in front of them.

Other people commented on the video to explain how they had also learned the hard way after purchasing seats with extra legroom.

One person said: “This always happens and exactly why I’d never choose those seats! Plus the smell.”

The couple replied: “Literally never again! we had the ones in the middle on the way to Mexico which weren’t as bad, but these seats were the worst!!”

Another person said: “I just leave my feet out and they have to move around them. I’ve never been stood on …yet.”

A third person said: “I did this when I had a cast on my leg and some pensioner stepped over my leg and tripped then had the cheek to look at me like it was my fault.”

A flight attendant has said she can’t stand it when passengers break one common phone rule, as it could actually be quite dangerous for the pilot and other passengers

When boarding a plane, there are several things passengers are required to do to ensure their own safety and that of fellow travellers. Once everyone has taken their seats, cabin crew will deliver safety information that must be listened to, and it’s frequently essential that you take their warnings seriously.

If you’re someone who flies regularly, you may believe you no longer need to absorb this safety information as you’ve encountered it numerous times before. But one cabin crew member on social media has insisted it’s always crucial that you remain attentive, as flouting the rules could result in injury, disruption to the aircraft, and possibly harm to your own possessions.

Yasmeen, a flight attendant working out of Los Angeles, posted a video on TikTok from a recent flight, revealing she was left stunned by what one passenger was doing while the aircraft was airborne.

The cabin crew member was travelling as a passenger on this occasion, but explained that her professional experience means she understands just how risky it can be to disregard the rule that the other traveller was so openly flouting.

In the footage, Yasmeen revealed that another passenger seated across the aisle had received a phone call mid-flight and proceeded to answer it with the phone on loudspeaker, allowing everyone within earshot to listen in on their conversation.

Not only is blaring your phone on speaker thoughtless when crammed into a confined space with dozens of other passengers, but you’re meant to switch your mobile to aeroplane mode upon boarding, which blocks all signal and prevents you from making or taking calls.

Yasmeen said: “As a flight attendant, I’m actually about to jump out of my skin.”

Viewers of her clip were split, though. Some insisted they’d never dream of leaving their phone on during a flight, while others claimed they’ve “taken full Zoom calls” on planes previously, suggesting it shouldn’t be a problem.

One person said: “I just don’t understand. With all this technology, and supposedly we went to the moon, but we can’t use our phones on the plane?”

Another added: “I don’t understand what some of y’all don’t understand. You are NOT supposed to be making phone calls while in the air!”

A third wrote: “I’ve taken full Zoom calls on the plane. It’s not against the rules to be on a call.”

Why do phones need to be on aeroplane mode when flying?

Phones, tablets, and other wireless-enabled devices should be switched to aeroplane mode as a safety measure. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), any device that emits radio waves has the potential to interfere with navigation and radar systems, as well as disrupt pilots’ headsets.

The extent to which mobile phones impact aviation technology hasn’t been thoroughly researched, but pilots have reported hearing background noise and interference from handsets while in the air, particularly during landing. This could prove distracting to pilots at a critical stage of the flight, so it’s advisable to simply keep your phone on aeroplane mode throughout.

Failing to switch your phone to aeroplane mode is unlikely to bring the plane down, but even if it doesn’t irritate your pilot, it could also result in unnecessary strain on your own device.

Ways not putting your phone on aeroplane mode can affect you include:

• Severe battery drain: Your phone will be working overtime to try and find a signal in the air by attempting to connect to towers on the ground, which can drain your battery.
• Costly roaming charges: On international flights, flying over multiple countries and having your phone connect to their towers could land you with hefty roaming fees that you weren’t prepared to pay.

A flight attendant has said men need to possess a specific quality to be able to date them. According to Yasmeen Golden, dating cabin crew isn’t for the fainthearted

When we travel, we often come across flight attendants, and sometimes they apparently use clever code words to tell you they fancy you. However, according to a woman known as Yasmeen Golden, things can get a little bit more complicated when it comes to dating cabin crew.

The flight attendant, who posts videos about her life on TikTok, said men actually need to possess a specific quality to be able to date people who work in air travel. Yasmeen claimed dating someone like her “isn’t for the weak”, as there are some things prospective partners need to come to terms with if they really want a relationship.

It’s not the only revelation a flight attendant has revealed recently either. Just weeks ago, another confessed the real reason they greet passengers on planes.

In the clip, Yasmeen admitted it’s not unusual for flight attendants to “break up” with their boyfriends. She explained: “Initially, to a guy who might think he’s secure, becoming a flight attendant sounds like a good deal.

“It sounds like, you know, ‘I’m never going to pay for flights again, you’re going to have flight benefits, we’re going to be able to see the world together’ etc etc.

“As glamorous as it seems from the outside, being able to obtain this job and go through the training to get this job and going through probation to get this job, will show you whether this relationship can stand the test of time or not. It is so common that people who become flight attendants, go through flight attendant training and make it out of flight attendant training, come out of flight attendant training single.

“It doesn’t matter how long the relationship was before. Men think this sounds like a good idea until they think about the fact that their woman is going to be on a layover multiple times a week without them and, for some reason, there is this pre-conceived notion that all flight attendants are cheaters.

“So they think, ‘you’re going to enter a field where every single night you’re going to be in a new city, and you’re going to find somebody else and cheat and I’m not going to stick around and let you do that to me’, which is always really funny coming from the man who acted like they wanted you to do the job so that they can travel the world with you and use the benefits.”

Warning: Below video may contain language some find offensive

Of course, Yasmeen said this idea is “dead wrong”, especially as flight attendants get so tired after a day at work. Most tend to spend their downtime sleeping, according to her.

She said this is why men have to be secure enough to accept her dream if they want to be in a relationship with a flight attendant, otherwise she fears things just won’t last. She also noted having space can be “healthy”, so they shouldn’t worry about being apart for days at a time.

Yasmeen added: “And then I think men realise that they don’t really have it in them to be with the woman who has the power to be in any country, in any state that they want to any time. It’s not for every man, you know?

“All in all, being with a flight attendant will show you if you’re really as secure as you thought you were. If you’re not, you’ll get kicked out of the relationship before the good job even starts.”

The video has been viewed thousands of times since she shared it and people were quick to comment too. They offered all sorts of ideas.

One commented, stating: “Dated for eight years and the night before my final exam he said ‘it’s either me or this job’. Left him right then, passed my exam with flying colours and now me and my best friend travel the world together! Thanks boo.”

Another added: “Love being a flight attendant, but finding that sweet spot between always wanting to be somewhere new, but also spending quality time at home/maintaining all kinds of relationships is definitely challenging at times. 100% worth it though and has taken some practice finding what works!!”

A third replied: “Yeah, my boyfriend is really secure. He does not care about the benefits nor is worried about what I’m doing. It’s a blessing.”

Meanwhile, a fourth also wrote: “Starting out it’s going to be tough. But, as seniority builds, that pay goes up and so do the days off. This job truly exposes who is in your life for the long run and who is temporary.”

Plane etiquette can be a contentious topic but one flight attendant has shared five of the “basic” passenger habits she always “absolutely loves” to see people doing on board

A flight attendant has shared her top five “basic” habits she “absolutely loves” to see passengers doing while flying. Plane etiquette can be a hot topic, with many passengers holding strong opinions on what’s appropriate and polite behaviour – be it whether it’s acceptable to recline your seat or not, whether you’re obligated to swap seats if asked to by a stranger with a small child, and much more.

Playing loud audio, kicking the seat of the passenger in front of you, or ignoring the instructions of the flight crew are all seen by reasonable people as unacceptable ways to act while on board. Still, some passengers are guilty of engaging in unpleasant and unwanted behaviour.

Keen to shed some light on the positives displayed by people when travelling on a plane, one flight attendant took to TikTok with a simple video showing her working behind the scenes and sorting food and drinks out while on a flight.

In overlay text written over the top of the footage, she penned: “My top five favourite things passengers do on a plane”.

In the caption, she elaborated on this and said: “Top 5 things passengers do that I absolutely love:

• “1. When you take your headphones out as I walk up to your row

“Instant respect. You see me. I see you. We’re already besties.

• 2. When you actually pay attention during announcements

“I promise I’m not just talking to hear my own voice.

• 3. When you give a smile and a genuine ‘thank you’

“You have no idea how far that goes at 30,000 feet

• 4. When you keep your shoes on

“Especially in the lavatory. We all know that floor is not holy water.

• 5. When you treat the plane like it’s not your personal living room

“It’s someone’s workplace. And someone else’s ride home.”

She added: “It’s really that simple. Kindness + awareness + basic hygiene = elite passenger status.”

In the comments section, people were keen to share their thoughts. One person said: “Soooo actually basics and human behaviour”.

To which, another replied: “So sad so many people are selfish, rude and ignorant”.

A third said: “Blows my mind people don’t genuinely thank the crew when getting off a flight or after they bring you something”.

And a fourth commented: “When I’m getting off the plane and looking at people’s mess they leave, it makes me mad so I can only imagine how you feel”.

While the majority of TikTok users agreed with the flight attendant’s views, some did take issue with one point – the contentious issue of taking shoes off on a plane.

One TikTok user said: “I’m down for everything except shoes on at my seat. I’m so sorry I have to take them off”.

Another agreed: “Anymore than a four hour flight and the shoes are coming off and slippers going on”.

And someone else added: “I think shoes off is okay as long as you’re not barefoot and put them back on when you leave your seat. And if you travel a lot, nobody is listening to that nonsense – sorry. Everything else 1000%”.

Others stressed the importance of showing your appreciation to flight attendants.

A flight attendant has shared the reason cabin crew greet every passenger boarding the plane, and it has nothing to do with just being polite. There’s a lot more to the simple act

Whenever we board a plane, we inevitably interact with flight attendants who, beyond keeping us safe throughout the journey, are also on hand to offer some genuinely useful guidance. After all, they possess an unrivalled knowledge of air travel safety.

Now, one flight attendant has lifted the lid on a secret that most holidaymakers are likely completely unaware of. She revealed that the greeting you receive as you board the plane actually serves a very specific purpose, and it has nothing to do with being courteous. In fact, cabin crew are carrying out an important assessment of passengers from the very moment they step on board.

This follows further revelations from another flight attendant who recently shared some incredibly handy tips, claiming there is something people should never wear when travelling.

As it turns out, flight attendants are sizing passengers up right from the off, and it’s all been laid bare in a candid TikTok video. Flight attendant Mrs Miva has blown the whistle on one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.

In her viral clip, she revealed the true reason behind the cabin crew’s welcoming routine as passengers make their way on board. It seems that saying “hello” is about far more than simple courtesy.

Over footage of herself, she wrote: “Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of politeness, but also to check whether you are too drunk or sick to fly?”

The video has since racked up millions of views, leaving countless viewers genuinely stunned. The notion of being discreetly assessed upon boarding came as a complete surprise to many.

One viewer said: “Wait, is there a reason why they always ask me where I sit when I go onboard? ” Another noted: “To see if you’re 1. Safe to fly (not intoxicated) and to see if you could help in an emergency.”

A third also wrote: “And looking for suspicious behaviour.” Meanwhile, a fourth added: “We are also picking out good candidates in the event of an emergency.”

Some even shared their own experiences to back up the theory. One recounted: “I was denied an international flight from England to America because they thought I’d die en route from being so sick.”

Another wrote: “True, and it’s the toughest part of the day. Without being paid!”

What you need to know

While cabin crew clearly aim to be friendly and welcome passengers as they embark on their journey, there’s far more happening when they greet you at the aircraft door than meets the eye. In reality, they’re carrying out a comprehensive head-to-toe safety evaluation of passengers before takeoff.

This process involves checking for intoxicated or disruptive passengers, ensuring travellers are capable of following emergency procedures, identifying potential security risks, and also spotting physically capable individuals who might be able to assist during an emergency. Crew members receive thorough training to enable them to detect any possible threats effectively.

They also watch passengers to gauge whether they can comprehend and follow safety instructions, which becomes vital should an emergency arise. While the assessment can be completed in mere seconds, it plays a really important role in helping to maintain aircraft safety.

Beyond this, it also contributes to fostering a relaxed environment. After all, it helps to establish a welcoming atmosphere for the journey ahead.

Flight attendants carry out genuinely crucial duties, and this simply demonstrates the lengths they go to in order to keep travellers as safe as humanly possible throughout. Now you understand what they’re actually up to.

A flight attendant has shared several plane safety tips that could make your next trip more comfortable – including the one item you should absolutely never wear

You could be picking up all sorts of germs by wearing the wrong clothes on a flight.

When travelling by plane, whether it’s for a work trip or holiday, you usually want to be as comfortable as possible. No matter how long your flight is, sitting in a cramped space surrounded by strangers isn’t ideal, so you normally want to make sure your outfit is something you can feel relaxed in for at least a few hours, if not longer.

But one flight attendant has said there’s one thing you should absolutely never wear on a plane, regardless of how comfortable you think it is. Charity Moore is a flight attendant who regularly posts travel tips on social media, and in a recent video, she shared several things she wishes more people did on flights.

Among her tips, Charity said there’s one thing you should absolutely never wear on a plane, as it puts your body in direct contact with the seats – which aren’t always the most hygienic things to be sitting on.

1. Wear the right clothes

Charity insisted you should never wear anything that exposes your legs on a plane, including shorts and skirts. She advocated for wearing trousers at all times, because she’s seen some “diabolical” things happen on plane seats that aren’t always cleaned as thoroughly as you might like.

She said: “I am letting you know, from a flight attendant, the amount of things I have seen on the seat. Wear pants. Shorts, skirts, dresses, absolutely not. Wear full pants. None of your skin should be touching that seat. I don’t care if you come on board and disinfect it. Nope, nope, nope. Wear full pants. Trust me, I have seen some diabolical things.”

2. Disinfect the seatbelts

The flight attendant also said that while she often sees passengers using antibacterial wipes on things like the tray table, she hardly ever sees anyone clean the seatbelt – which she believes is the most important part.

She explained: “You guys all come on board with your little Clorox wipes and your little disinfectants, and you start wiping everything down. That little tray table in front of you [and] the back of your seat. I don’t really get why you’re wiping the back of your seat, because if you’re wearing clothes, nothing really touches that.

“What you should be wiping that nobody wipes is that seatbelt. The metal part, because everybody touches it, but also you should be wiping the fabric part of the seatbelt, because everybody pulls on that. The amount of throw up, baby vomit, bodily fluids, liquids that have spilt, and random stuff that ends up on those seatbelts. Wipe them down, babe.”

3. Exercise proper toilet hygiene

Charity claimed that not enough passengers have proper toilet etiquette when using the bathroom on a plane. This includes washing your hands once you’ve done your business, making sure you flush the toilet, and even closing the door behind you once you’re finished.

Amazon cabin bag meets Ryanair requirements for less than £15

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£20.99

£14.99

Amazon

See the deal

Travellers keen to beat the bag charges without breaking the budget have made an Amazon travel bag a bestseller. Rated 4.7 stars out of 5 from almost 3,000 reviews, the Xkdoai bag comes in six colours with prices from £14.99, saving 29% on the usual price.

While these might seem like obvious things you would do after any toilet visit, whether it’s on a plane or not, the flight attendant insisted a large portion of passengers don’t do them.

She also said if you’ve taken your shoes off at your seat to make yourself more comfortable, you should not go to the toilet without putting your shoes back on.

The attendant noted: “It is never ever water on the floor in the lav. And your socks are like two big sponges.”

4. Bring food

Charity’s final piece of advice is to bring food with you. She said it’s a “huge misconception” that you can’t bring food through security, and encouraged people to bring snacks or even a fully prepared meal with them to help them survive their plane journey.

In the UK, food items and powders are allowed in your hand luggage, but may obstruct images on X-ray machines, so your bags might need to be checked again manually by security, which could cause you delays.

You are generally not allowed to bring liquid or gel-like foods such as soup, sauces, jams, and yoghurts in your hand luggage, and may not be able to bring certain fresh produce, like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, across some international borders, so always make sure you check the rules before you fly.

In most cases, you will be able to bring snack boxes with things like sweets, chocolate, and crisps onto a flight. You should usually avoid packing nuts into your snack box, as you may be asked not to open these if a passenger has an allergy.