Planes

A woman has shared her shock after an ‘entitled’ stranger stole her pre-booked plane seat – sparking an argument onboard as she tried to claim back what she’d paid for

When arriving at the airport, travellers cannot wait to board their flight and jet off on their well-earned holiday. But one woman’s much-needed getaway started with friction when a stranger stole her plane seat and refused to give it up.

Taking to Reddit, she explained how she pre-booked a window seat on the plane, 27A, but when she arrived at her row, there were two women already sat down. She said: “I politely told them I had 27A, and one of them goes, ‘No, this is 27C the window seat. 27A is the aisle.’ “I was a bit confused, so I double checked after sitting down briefly in the aisle seat, and asked a flight attendant. She confirmed that 27A was in fact the window seat.

“So I go back and explain that to the woman, nicely, and her response was, ‘For f***’s sake, what are you so desperate to sit by the window for?'”

Wanting to avoid an argument, she told her that she’d pre-booked that specific seat on purpose and kindly asked her to sit in the one assigned to her.

She added: “She snaps back, ‘We all paid for it’, and still refuses to move.

“At this point the flight attendant is right there witnessing everything and says, ‘It’s her seat if she wants to sit there, she will.’

“Only then did the woman finally move, but the attitude the whole time was unbelievable. No apology, no basic respect, just pure entitlement.

“Honestly, I don’t get how people can act like that over something so straightforward. If it’s not your seat, just move. It’s not that deep.”

Commenting on her post, one user said: “It’s rude and it is not allowed. You sit in the correct seat period. They just wanted to take your seat. That’s where the flight attendants come in and say move it.”

Another added: “I remember when they said people had to sit in their assigned seat so they could be identified in an accident.”

A third chimed in: “People need to learn that doubling down on mistakes is wrong and stupid.”

One more person said: “I hope you didn’t need to leave your seat during the flight. I bet she’d b**** about that!

SITTING in a cafe with a cuppa and a slice of cake is already a nice way to spend an afternoon, but imagine if you could watch planes take off at the same time…

Well, there is one spot you can actually do this from and it is less than 12 miles from London.

The Aerodrome Cafe at Elstree in Hertfordshire, sits right next to Elstree Aerodrome, meaning you can tuck into breakfast while watching planes take off and land.

The small cafe is open seven days a week between 9am and 4pm and serves breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks.

And when the weather is warm and bright, you can even grab a beer for £5.30 and be closer to the action by sitting outside.

But in the colder months don’t worry, because inside there is a log burner to keep it cosy.

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The cafe was opened by husband and wife duo Jean-Luc Sainlo and Colleen back in 2021.

Jean is even a Michelin-trained chef and the cafe makes its own pizzas as well as afternoon tea and roasts on a Sunday.

One recent visitor said: “I come here with the family now and again and it’s always a lovely day out.

“I’ve seen adults and children alike be delighted watching the planes and helicopters after meals.

“A few yards down the road is Aldenham Country Park, so once you’ve eaten and enjoyed the planes you can head over there if you prefer a more woodsy atmosphere.”

The aerodrome dates back to World War II where it was used as a base to repair Wellington bomber planes.

If you did visit today, you’d most likely see small two or four-seater planes, helicopters or potentially some vintage planes taking off.

Though, if you are really lucky, you might see some stars as the aerodrome has previously been used for a Mission Impossible film, as well as James Bond Spectre.

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.

Canada has announced plans to buy a fleet of early warning planes from Sweden’s Saab rather than a competing option from Boeing as it seeks to reduce its reliance on the United States.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that Canada would opt for Saab’s GlobalEye, which is based on Bombardier’s Global 6500 jet. Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail plane – which has suffered from delays and cost overruns – had also been in contention.

“With a suite of advanced sensors and mission systems, Saab’s GlobalEye will be a key resource for the Canadian Armed Forces to detect and deter threats across the Arctic,” Carney told a defence conference in Ottawa.

The Prime Minister pledged in March that Canada would take full responsibility for protecting its vast Arctic territory, after relying for decades on a partnership with the US to monitor its more than 4.4 million square km (1.7 million square miles) of land and sea, a territory larger than India.

Carney’s Liberal government last year announced plans to ramp up defence spending. The US and other allies had complained for years that Canada was not meeting longstanding NATO targets on military expenditure; Carney announced in March that Canada hit that target of spending 2 percent of its GDP on defence last year.

In a statement, Saab said it planned to invest in research and development work in Canada as part of any deal.

Although Carney did not give details of the fleet size or the cost of a potential contract, military officials had earlier said they were looking to buy six early warning aircraft.

Philippe Lagasse, associate director of international affairs at Ottawa’s Carleton University, said Canada’s decision to buy the GlobalEye planes was “an important test case for the Carney government’s policy of pivoting away from American military capability”.

He said in a statement that the decision confirms Canada’s relationship with Sweden, a new NATO ally that has also been eager to strengthen its ties to the Canadian military.

Canada has previously said it wants to work more closely with the Nordic countries in the Arctic on defence and other issues, in a global environment in which the US has become a less reliable partner.

“GlobalEye is already creating jobs in Canada, and working with the Canadian supply chain. This decision ties our two nations even closer together,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a social media post.

Saab is also in the running to sell Canada some of its Gripen fighters.

Canada has a deal to buy 88 F-35 jets from Lockheed-Martin, but last year, after the US slapped tariffs on key Canadian imports, Carney asked the military to probe whether it could cut back the order and buy some planes from another manufacturer.

Carney later told reporters Ottawa would make a decision on the fighter fleet in due course and declined to comment when asked whether the military would be operating two jets.

Last week, a Pentagon official, speaking after Washington suspended planned biannual defence talks with Canada, said the delay in making a decision on the F-35s showed how Ottawa was prioritising politics over defence issues.

Still, Lagasse of Carleton University said he expected Canada would ultimately decide to stick with a fleet of F-35 jets rather than splitting the fleet by buying some Saab Gripens.

“If the government was determined to buy Gripens, I would have expected them to make the announcement alongside this [GlobalEye] decision,” he said.

Trade tensions

The announcement came amid ongoing trade tensions between US and Canada after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Canada after taking office last year, alongside multiple comments threatening to annex the country and make it the 51st state of the US.

Historically, nearly 80 percent of Canada’s exports have been to the US. While the vast majority of those were protected under the USMCA, the trade agreement between the two countries that also includes Mexico, that is now due for a review, which starts on July 1, and Trump has said the US does not really need that deal.

While the US has announced bilateral talks with Mexico, there has been no mention of Canada.

Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Goettman will lead bilateral talks in Mexico City on Thursday and Friday focused on “economic security and rules of origin for key industrial goods,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

USTR said the US and Mexico will hold a second round of negotiations in Washington on June 16-17, focused on agriculture and “a level playing field,” with a third set of talks in Mexico City scheduled for the week of July 20.

The first Trump administration held trilateral negotiating rounds with both Mexico and Canada to create the existing USMCA, which replaced the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020.

But so far, there have been few discussions between US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and his Canadian counterpart, Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, since early March, and no formal launch of a US-Canada negotiating process.

POWER banks have been banned from hold luggage for a decade – but some passengers are still not following the rules.

In one case, a plane was recently diverted when a power bank was found charging in the hold, and experts say these problems are ‘on the rise’.

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While they’re ideal for travellers to charge phones and devices – battery powered charging banks are causing chaos for airlines.

The lithium in portable chargers mean that they pose a risk of overheating and even catching fire.

As a result, there has been a ban on having power banks in hold luggage since 2016.

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Airlines ask passengers to take portable power banks in hand luggage, but they strictly can’t be used in-flight.

However, not everyone is following the rules.

Just a few days ago, an easyJet flight was forced to divert when a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft.

The flight had been heading to London Luton from Hurghada in Egypt but had to land in Rome as a ‘precaution’.

The airline said the captain had decided to divert “in line with safety regulations”.

The flight touched down safely at Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to the following day.

Sadly, travel experts say the situation is likely to get worse.

Jonathan Nicholson from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that incidents involving power banks are “certainly on the rise” as portable chargers grow in popularity.

The CAA said “more awareness” was needed as portable chargers carry “serious risks” of overheating or catching fire.

Jonathan Nicholson urged travellers to follow a “basic set of international rules” when it comes to power banks.

The first is to always take them with you on board the aircraft, not in checked luggage.

The other is to only take a maximum of two power banks per passenger.

When on board the aircraft, don’t use them and “absolutely do not charge the power bank itself because that’s when they become really hot and most susceptible to having an issue”.

A number of airlines have since banned the use of power banks in the cabin as well, after an airline fire last year resulted in the plane being destroyed.

They simulated flight conditions at Mach 5, which is roughly five times the speed of sound and far faster than the iconic Concorde ever reached during its time in the air

A Japanese organisation is working on a hypersonic jet that could travel two and a half times as fast as Concorde.

In a test carried out by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), researchers installed an experimental aircraft inside a ramjet engine testing facility at JAXA’s Kakuda Space Center in Miyagi Prefecture, Interesting Engineering reports.

They simulated flight conditions at Mach 5, which is roughly five times the speed of sound.

The trial was a big success, validating the aircraft’s thermal protection system, control surfaces, and ramjet combustion performance under extreme hypersonic conditions.

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Such tests are crucial for the legitimacy of such an aircraft, as temperatures surrounding the aircraft can soar close to 1,000 °C at that speed.

The next phase of the program might involve mounting the experimental aircraft onto a sounding rocket or similar launch vehicle for a real-world Mach 5 flight demonstration, it has been reported.

Japan’s hypersonic research efforts are part of a bigger global race to develop ultra-high-speed transportation systems. If the JAXA plane makes it into the air, it could cut the flight time from Tokyo to the US down to two hours. Currently, it takes around half a day to make the journey on a typical commercial aircraft.

The aircraft would do this, in part, by rising to very high altitudes of around 17 miles, more than double that of a conventional aircraft.

A Mach 5 hypersonic passenger plane would fly at about 3,300 mph, roughly six times faster than a normal plane.

The supersonic Concorde passenger jet operated until 2003, but its speed topped out at about Mach 2. It’s maximum recorded speed was 1,400mph.

As exciting as the aircraft is, it’ll be a long time before it’s up in the air, and even longer before anyone is flying in it.

Hideyuki Taguchi, a professor at the Tokyo University of Science, told Mainichi: “Developing a conventional aircraft typically takes about 10 years. Since the development of hypersonic passenger aircraft requires two stages of demonstration — an experimental aircraft followed by a passenger aircraft — we hope development can be completed in about 20 years.”

Tetsuya Sato, a professor at Waseda University, added: “This result is still only a first step. Our dream is to connect it to a flight demonstration.”

JAXA is far from the only organisation attempting to launch a commercial super or hypersonic aircraft.

Recently, key milestones include NASA’s X-59 experimental aircraft and Boom Supersonic’s XB-1, both of which successfully completed test flights to overcome noise and efficiency hurdles.

A pilot’s wife has urged passengers to stop booking a certain seat to travel on planes. Laurie said it’s vital people avoid it if they want a smooth and comfortable journey

If you’re going to listen to advice from someone about travelling abroad, one person you should pay attention to is probably a pilot’s wife. After all, they know all the dos and don’ts when it comes to air travel and making the most of your holidays.

This is why Laurie, known as travelby_laurie on TikTok, is happy to offer advice whenever she can, and she recently turned her attention to the worst seats to book to travel on planes. According to her, there are particular rows you need to avoid to ensure your journey is executed as comfortably and smoothly as possible.

She’s not the only pilot’s wife to have made such a confession either. Previously, another woman opened up about the task she needs to complete every morning.

In the clip, Laurie said: “Do not sit in these seats the next time you’re flying in an airplane. Number one, the obvious seat to avoid is the very last row of any airplane, because they do not recline.

“There are two other reasons to avoid that back row seat. Number one, because you’ll be last off the airplane.

“Number two, if you have a connecting flight, where you are catching another airplane in that airport, to get to your final destination, avoid being in the back of the plane.

“The airlines do not tell you that 50 minutes is not enough time to connect to another flight but they are still going to allow you to book them.”

She also noted she doesn’t ever want to sit in the row that’s in front of the exit row. This is because the exit row may not recline, and the seat in front of the exit row also often does not recline.

This is an aviation safety measure put in place to ensure the seatbacks don’t block the aisle and impede a rapid evacuation in an emergency. However, even though the rule can be imposed for a reason, Laurie noted journeys can already be “uncomfortable”, so it’s best to do your research before booking a seat to see which areas are more comfortable.

If you have a lengthy flight ahead, these spots are probably best avoided. It’s worth noting that some airlines in America include row 13 in their fleets; however, several other airlines around the world often omit the number entirely to accommodate passenger superstitions about bad luck.

What you need to know

While some people avoid the row directly in front of an emergency exit row, as these seats typically have their recline mechanism disabled, there’s something else most people need to consider. Booking a seat at the back of the plane could be more problematic for passengers.

Usually, people tend to avoid them because seats often do not recline, are located directly next to noisy lavatories and galleys and will leave you feeling the most turbulence. As well as this, sitting there will take you longer to deplane, which means you may have limited meal options as service starts from the front.

Even though the very back row can sometimes be cheaper or less crowded on off-peak flights, the general consensus points to several major drawbacks. If you have a connecting flight, it could also cause issues too, as you may be last to get off the plane.

This is why Laurie generally advises against it. It’s a nugget of travel wisdom you may not have known before.

Little you may know, passengers travelling with Ryanair should obey by a certain rule when on planes. As soon as you board, it’s wise to remove a key item of clothing

It’s reached that time of year when many of us are travelling more; however, if you usually fly with Ryanair there’s a rule you may not be aware of. It turns out, when you board a plane, you’re advised to remove a certain item of clothing as the airline says it shouldn’t be worn during key times.

The travel tip was recently shared online by a woman known as Sarah Geissler who alluded to the rule in a light-hearted way. Even so, she drew attention to something a lot of people may not be aware of when they’re jetting off on holidays, and this is that a certain item of clothing should be removed on flights.

It’s not the only travel advice of its kind to be shared either. Just weeks ago, Ryanair also urged passengers to stop packing one item in their hand luggage.

She shared a clip of a sign on a plane seat, which seemed to show that heels are not permitted to be worn. Over the top of the clip, she wrote: “No heels allowed on your Ryanair flight.”

Sarah also teased that this was “bad news for baddies”, but it actually put a spotlight on something important. When it comes to air travel, there are some important things you need to be clued up on, but it’s not as simple as it seems.

Indeed, while there are rules you need to follow about wearing heels when flying with Ryanair, this doesn’t mean you can’t wear them when at the airport. There are actually vital guidelines you should follow, especially in case of an emergency.

What you need to know

Even though people aren’t banned from wearing heels when travelling with the airline, it is highly recommended that they avoid doing so. Heels significantly increase your risk of tripping in the cabin and can puncture the inflatable emergency evacuation slides.

For safety reasons, cabin crew will instruct you to remove your heels prior to going down an escape slide in an emergency. This is why it’s best to remove them before boarding a plane, and perhaps slip into something more comfortable.

Even better, you could avoid wearing them in the first place. During an emergency, you must remove all high heels before going down the slide.

To ensure a swift escape, flight attendants suggest slipping them off before sliding, should an emergency ever occur. If one took place, passengers are also advised to leave their hand luggage behind.

In the footage shared online, the video also showed you shouldn’t wear glasses or smoke in such an emergency either. It’s a topic that’s got people talking on Reddit in the past.

One person said: “Heels can damage an escape slide, and I’d guess that glasses, ear rings and false teeth could be ripped out during impact. Hence, get them off before the event.”

Another noted: “My theory. Remove glasses, dentures. They may come loose and become lost (so, put them in a pocket).

“Remove high heels (especially important if you leave the plane via slide). Remove ear buds or headsets (so you can hear emergency instructions).”

A third also suggested: “The point is not to wear pointy things when coming down the inflatable slide in order not to make holes in it.”

Passengers were told to bring their own food and drinks on board after a fire caused a supply disruption

Jet2 has released a fresh update for passengers after many were informed that certain services would be unavailable on their flights. Earlier this week, it emerged that Jet2 had suspended food and drink services and in-flight retail for passengers on selected routes.

At the time, the airline stated it was dealing with an ‘operational issue’ that was ‘outside its control’. The disruption was reportedly triggered by a major supply chain disruption following a fire at Jet2‘s Retail Operations Centre in Middlewich.

The warehouse is reportedly responsible for stocking all catering carts. Consequently, the airline was forced to suspend all food, drink, and Jet2shop retail services on the affected flights.

This meant some passengers were unable to purchase snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, hot beverages, or duty-free items from the cabin trolley. Pre-booked meals were scrapped, and those who had paid in advance for a hot meal or snack deal did not receive their order.

In a fresh update, sent to the Liverpool Echo today (May 15), a Jet2 spokesperson said: “Due to an operational issue outside of our control, there was limited food and drink available to buy on board on Sunday, May 10. We are pleased to say that, since then, customers have been continuing to enjoy our award-winning flights and can choose from a wide selection of food and drink onboard.”

They added: “Our full in-flight retail and food and drink offering will be completely back to normal in the coming days.” Jet2 has also confirmed it is automatically processing refunds for all pre-booked catering back to the original payment method.

While the problem persisted, travellers were advised to bring their own food, drinks and snacks on board, after clearing airport security. However, passengers are prohibited from bringing hot coffee, tea, or hot food from the airport terminal onto the plane. A statement on the Jet2 website states: “You can’t bring hot food or hot drinks onboard our planes for safety reasons.”

At the time, many people turned to social media to find out more about the ‘operational issue’ and to alert fellow passengers. On X, one passenger with the username @BigDogStaff wrote: “@Jet2tweets just had an email and a text message to say there will be no food or drinks available for our five hour flight.”

Jet2 responded: “Hi there, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by our food and drink services and in-flight retail by unavailable on your flight. Sadly, this is due to an operational issue outside our control. (1/2).”

The airline went on to say: “You are welcome to bring snacks and soft drinks purchased in the terminal onboard with you, but for safety reasons, hot drinks cannot be brought on board. If you have any further questions, feel free to let us know. ^Ellie (2/2).” On the Facebook group, Jet2.Com and Jet2holidays Customer Service and Support, a user asked: “What is happening with no food or drink on Jet2 planes? Just had an email about no food or drink on the planes tomorrow, any idea what happening?”

In the comments, one person wrote: “Been on lots of posts – supply issues due to a fire in a warehouse apparently- just get something in the airport to take on board with you.” Another added: “Just arrived in Greece via Jet2, we pre-ordered hot food but got an email saying it was limited. There was no food, drinks, snacks, and no duty-free trolley, all we got was water.”

A third commented: “Someone I know is flying tomorrow, and they were told this evening that there would be no food, including pre-booked. Maybe it depends on the airport or route.”

In a separate Facebook post, another user warned: “Just a heads up. A friend who is travelling from Leeds tonight has received this. So it may be the same on the return journey.” They shared a screenshot of what appears to be a text message from Jet2.

The message reads: “Due to an operational issue outside of our control, there will be no food, drink or Jet2shop available to buy on board your flight. Unfortunately, this also means that any pre-booked food or drink items will not be available, and we will automatically arrange any refunds for these.

“You are welcome to bring snacks and soft drinks purchased in the terminal (after security) on the flight with you, but for safety reasons, hot drinks cannot be brought on board. We are very sorry for any disappointment this may cause.”

A separate Facebook post by UK travel agency Camel Travel states: “Heads up for those flying with Jet2 at the moment. A fire at Jet2’s Retail Operations Centre in Middlewich on Wednesday has impacted the availability of food and drinks on some flights.”

What seems to be a screenshot of an email sent by Jet2 is also featured. It states: “We will process the refund right away to the payment card used when you booked – but like all refunds these days, it could take three to five working days for the funds to reach you. We’re sorry if you don’t receive any pre-booked items. Our friendly Cabin Crew are looking forward to welcoming you on board and will ensure you have a lovely flight.”

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.

Phoenix Rose and his dad James intervened to calm a disruptive passenger whose behaviour threatened to divert the Jet2 plane, which was travelling from Izmir, Turkey to the UK

An eight-year-old boy praised for calming a disruptive passenger on a plane has been showered with gifts from around the country and even overseas.

Phoenix Rose and his dad James have even been rewarded with free flight vouchers after their actions on the Jet2 plane prevented it from being diverted. Since James, 42, insisted his son is the “real hero”, the little boy has received thank you cards and presents from strangers.

James, of Salford, Greater Manchester, has been gifted with a games console from a stranger in The Netherlands, a Lego set, football kits and vouchers for toys among other presents. He said he thought it “was like Christmas Day” when he saw the gifts.

When a woman began shouting on the flight from Izmir, Turkey, Phoenix leapt into action, speaking to her, sitting next to her and then spending hours showing her his football cards, singing and asking about her family. It calmed her and the holiday flight did not need to divert.

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Speaking about the reaction to his intervention, Phoenix said: “It has been brilliant.” His dad told BBC Radio Manchester Phoenix now intends to give the presents away to children less fortunate than him.

James added: “When the first gift came, we thought it was nice for someone to do that, but since then it’s been parcel after parcel.

“One of the things he wants to do is give the stuff away, so if people are in financial hardship or they know someone who might want one of these presents then they can get in touch. What Phoenix now would like is for people to stop sending things, and if you’ve got money just donate it to charity.”

Phoenix wants his story to help others. He encouraged others to be kind if they experience similar issues on aircrafts. His father said the woman was “almost trying to smack the stewardesses”. However, at James’ request, cabin staff moved the passenger to a seat between him and his son, where Phoenix “bounced into action”.

Phoenix, a Manchester United fan, was thanked personally by the pilot. Jet2 praised the boy’s actions. In a statement, the company, which flies 120 carriers to 80 destinations, said: “I want to say a massive thank you to you both on behalf of everybody at Jet2. What you did was absolutely fantastic.”

Tim Martin has spoken out after Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary claimed drinking booze at UK airports, such as London Heathrow, should be banned before a certain time

The boss of JD Wetherspoons has hit back at the Ryanair CEO’s claims alcohol shouldn’t be served at UK airports in the early hours of the morning.

Tim Martin, who founded his pub chain in 1979, said Michael O’Leary’s suggestion would require passengers being breathalysed at airports. He described the plan as “an overreaction”.

But Mr O’Leary, boss of the budget airline, had claimed an average of nearly one flight every day is diverted due to disruptive passengers fuelled by booze. The 65-year-old businessman said these tourists often drink in bars at airports for hours before they board their planes, and called on a ban on serving booze at airport bars in the early hours of the morning and a two-drink limit thereafter.

Mr Martin, though, has said: “A two-drink limit would be extraordinarily difficult to implement, short of breathalysing passengers, and would, in our opinion, be an overreaction — especially since many of the problems stem from incoming flights. It is in everyone’s interests to have good behaviour at airports and on flights.”

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Mr Martin, 71, also told The Times it had “never been suggested” its customers cause disruption on flights. JD Wetherspoon told the newspaper that pubs in airports were “highly supervised” with strict policies preventing excessive alcohol consumption.

Airside bars in the UK are not required to follow restrictions on opening hours which apply to other venues selling alcohol. Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence in the UK and can be punished by a fine of up to £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

But alcohol can be served on flights, including those of Ryanair, and there have been no calls on this practice. This, coupled with alcohol consumption at airports, has led to a number of incidents of disruption recently.

A man was, for instance, jailed for becoming abusive, causing widespread alarm throughout the Ryanair aircraft on which he was travelling from Poland to Bristol.

And, on Thursday, Ryanair welcomed the decision by a court in France which it said found two passengers guilty of causing disruption onboard a flight from Stansted to Ibiza that was diverted to Toulouse in May last year. The pair received a combined penalty of more than 10,000 euros (£8,640) and received suspended prison sentences of up to 10 months, according to the airline.

Speaking earlier this week, Mr O’Leary shared his plans. The father of four had said: “I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time? There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [those] licensing hours.”

Families need to be aware of how this could impact their flights home

Certain young people going on holiday with Ryanair this year could find themselves in trouble if they are booked to fly with the wrong ticket type. It can happen to anyone born in 2010, 2014, or 2024. Ryanair divides its passengers into four categories when assigning seats on planes: adults, teens, children, and infants.

The airline is clear online about who qualifies for specific ticket types when they are travelling abroad with the budget carrier. Outlining the policy online, Ryanair says: “For the purpose of defining our passenger types, adults are over 16 years of age, teens are between 12 and 15 years of age, children are between two and 11 years of age, and infants are those under two years of age.”

This applies from the “date of flight departure”. If families are heading abroad and celebrate a birthday, they need to be aware of how this could impact their flights home. Anyone born in 2010, 2014, or 2024 must comply with the rules.

If a child turns two, 12 or 16 between leaving the UK and returning home, they cannot be booked onto Ryanair flights without potentially facing extra charges. It is important for parents to be aware of this before booking their next holiday – or act now if the plans are already in place.

Ryanair adds: “If an infant turns two years of age or a child turns 16 years of age during your trip, you should purchase two one-way flights rather than a return ticket. You may then connect the bookings by contacting us.”

In terms of pricing, teens (aged 12-15) are treated the same as adults for pricing. They may, however, lose any free seat selection that is offered to under-12s.

The airline has a section on its website for customers who have already made a booking and need to change their passenger type. Changing passenger types may incur fees, and it is generally better to update this to avoid issues at boarding.

Generally, swapping a child or teen ticket to an adult is free when done online, but child passengers will lose their free seat selection privileges and have to pay for a new seat when ageing out of the free under-12s seating offer. The cost of doing this varies, depending on the flight service and the newly selected seat.

In other Ryanair news, the budget airline is selling flights to Spain that are “cheaper than buying dinner”, which is great news if you’re looking for a budget holiday. The travel news was recently drawn to the attention of Spain Explore on Instagram, as they were keen to alert people to the deals.

The page claimed the airline has announced routes to Barcelona that are “cheaper than dinner”. After making a quick check, you’ll see that some flights from the UK are pretty reasonable.

Michael O’Leary, who has served as Ryanair CEO since 1993, said his airline is being forced to divert flights almost daily because of drunken, aggressive passengers

Airport bars should stop serving alcohol early in the morning, the boss of Ryanair says.

Michael O’Leary, who has served as Ryanair CEO for more than 30 years, claimed his airline is being forced to divert flights almost daily because of drunken, aggressive passengers. He said these tourists often drink in bars at airports for hours before they board their planes.

Pubs in airports do not currently need to follow the same licensing rules as bars outside these environments do. Mr O’Leary, 65, believes changing this will support his airline and others because it would help cut out aggressive behaviour in the skies.

The businessman said: “I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time? There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [those] licensing hours.”

READ MORE: Ryanair passenger jailed for mid-air tirade after downing doublesREAD MORE: Drunk teacher attacked easyJet flight attendant on plane in front of his kids

A man was recently jailed for becoming abusive, causing widespread alarm throughout the Ryanair aircraft on which he was travelling from Poland to Bristol. Stephen Blofield’s case is one of several recent examples of passengers behaving aggressively after consuming alcohol.

According to The Times, Mr O’Leary has been calling for a two-drink per-person limit “for many years” and accused airports of “profiteering” off the troublesome travel ritual and “exporting the problem to the airlines”.

But father-of-four Mr O’Leary, from Kanturk, County Cork, stressed Ryanair is “reasonably responsible” with their drinks, rarely serving a passenger more than two drinks onboard. He insisted, though, drug use has entered the alcoholic mix too, worsening the issue as passengers then “want to fight”.

Footage recently emerged of a “shocking and frightening” brawl which broke out aboard a Jet2 flight from Antalya, Turkey to Manchester. The dramatic exchange, during which two people were seen grabbing at the phone and another passenger’s face culminated in airline bans for two of the people involved.

Mr O’Leary says he takes a similarly strict approach with his company, and has reminded passengers it is a criminal offence to be drunk on an aeroplane anyway, punishable by up to two years in prison and a hefty fine. Threatening and abusive passengers can be further prosecuted, as well as facing large compensation fees and prosecution in the country where the aircraft is forced to land.

It is reported flights from Britain to Ibiza, Alicante and Tenerife have been particularly problematic. Last year, a former soldier who sexually assaulted four Jet2 cabin crew during a flight to Tenerife was jailed. Joseph McCabe groped and slapped the buttocks of two flight attendants before grabbing a third around the waist and attempting to hug a fourth. The dad of two, from Glasgow, had been given for his drunken conduct on the plane.

The extended shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has created what Goldman Sachs describes as “extreme tightness” in Europe’s jet fuel supply, and the UK is seen as particularly vulnerable

Britain is at risk of rationing jet fuel due to shortages stemming from the Iran conflict, an expert has claimed.

With supplies potentially dropping to “critically low levels”, concern has grown for Europe’s jet fuel market and the consequences this will have on travel this summer. Some airlines, such as KLM and Lufthansa, have already cancelled flights due to fears about fuel.

Now, Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s largest investment banks, has said the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created “extreme tightness” in the market and the UK is especially exposed due to its limited stockpiles, heavy reliance on imports, and constrained refining capacity. It means the prospect of rationing is believed to being considered to help sustain the travel sector.

Jet fuel prices have doubled since the war began on February 28, prompting bleak warnings from Keir Starmer that travellers may need to rethink their holiday plans.

READ MORE: British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 issue fuel warning amid Middle East warREAD MORE: Soaring petrol prices to have ‘huge consequences for teachers and schools’

Goldman Sachs said in a research note: “The UK is the largest net importer of jet fuel in Europe, and it holds no strategic reserves, leaving commercial inventories as the primary buffer. As a result, inventories in some countries, especially the UK, could fall to critically low levels, increasing the likelihood of rationing measures.”

The Gulf region supplies around one-fifth of globally traded fuel, and with Europe heavily dependent on those flows, airlines are now competing for alternative sources — driving prices even higher. According to The Times, Goldman Sachs noted that the UK, as Europe’s largest net importer of jet fuel, lacks strategic reserves and relies primarily on commercial inventories as a buffer. Those levels, particularly in Britain, could fall dangerously low, increasing the likelihood of rationing.

Any sustained shortage would likely force airlines to cancel or consolidate flights while pushing ticket prices upward. Fuel accounts for as much as a quarter of airline operating costs. IAG, the parent company of British Airways, has already indicated it will raise fares to offset higher fuel expenses, acknowledging it is “not immune” to ongoing volatility despite hedging strategies.

Air France expects its jet fuel bill to rise by $2.4billion (£1.77million) this year, while American Airlines anticipates an increase of more than $4billion (£2.96million) — costs that are expected to translate into higher fares and reduced perks for passengers.

Although UK ministers have suggested supplies can be sourced from elsewhere, industry figures are less optimistic. Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said airlines are “desperately” looking for flights to cancel and could begin doing so within weeks.

Fuel suppliers have also warned that the UK has the “most limited visibility” in Europe when it comes to jet fuel supply, largely because of its dependence on Middle Eastern imports.

The European Commission said it would issue guidance to airlines this week, with a spokesperson noting that uncertainty remains high and preparations are being made for multiple scenarios.

Analysts also pointed to the UK’s reduced refining capacity following the closure of the Grangemouth refinery — Scotland’s only oil refinery — last April. Concerns had also surrounded the future of the Prax Lindsey refinery in north Lincolnshire, though its new owner, Phillips 66, said the recent acquisition should help stabilise supply.

A report from the Tony Blair Institute argued that Europe’s climate-focused energy policies have contributed to higher prices — two to three times those of competitors — and increased dependence on imports.

Fuel suppliers said May demand should remain manageable but warned that disruptions could begin by mid-to-late June if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

A plane passenger claimed their flight was delayed by an hour because of one other passenger’s selfish act – and it had devastating consequences for people’s travel plans

Finding out your plane is delayed can be a nightmare. No one wants to hang around in an airport for any longer than they need to, especially if you’re trying to go and enjoy a holiday, or aching to get back home. Delays can also be frustrating if you have a connecting flight, as you could end up missing your next plane.

The most common cause for flight delays is weather conditions, which neither the airport nor the airline can control. But one woman on social media was left furious when her plane was delayed by an entire hour – just because of another passenger causing an issue with the flight attendants.

Cassandra Saunders was already sitting in her seat on the flight from Los Angeles, California, to Tampa, Florida, when the incident began, and filmed herself so that she could capture the audio of the fellow passenger complaining to a flight attendant. The passenger was complaining that he couldn’t sit next to his fiancée as they hadn’t booked seats next to each other, and the flight attendant was trying to tell him that he couldn’t just sit in someone else’s seat.

In the video, which was uploaded to Instagram, the man’s voice can be heard asking the flight attendant how he can switch seats, to which she replies he will have to ask the person sitting in the seat he wants to move to. She adds the cabin crew can’t do anything to move people out of their designated seats.

The man continues to argue, saying there was no one currently in the seat he wanted to sit in, but the flight attendant says boarding hadn’t finished yet. The conversation continues, with Cassandra writing on her clip that the argument delayed their flight by an hour.

She wrote: “My intuition already knew this guy was going to be a problem. This dude delayed our flight by an hour. He kept going to the back and wasn’t respecting the flight attendant’s instructions.”

In the caption, Cassandra said the row over seating meant some passengers were at risk of missing their connecting flights and having their travel plans ruined – and she only made her connecting flight with a mere five seconds to spare after racing through the airport when they eventually landed.

She posted: “Travelling is already chaotic, and this couple was being inconsiderate to everyone on the plane, delaying us by an hour. Several passengers asked them to get off because people had connecting flights. But all he seemed to care about was sitting next to his fiancée. The flight attendant did a great job in handling it. I made it to my connecting [flight with] five minutes to spare – I ran!”

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Cassandra later posted the second part of the passenger’s argument with the cabin crew, in which another male voice is heard ordering the passenger to get off the plane. The man’s fiancée is then apparently heard trying to convince the plane staff to let her partner stay on the flight, but is told she is welcome to leave with him.

Adding more context to what happened, Cassandra wrote: “They had a full conversation while everyone was waiting on them. The [fiancée] stayed and then five minutes later decided to get off the plane.”

Commenters on the video were gobsmacked by the “entitlement” of the couple, with many saying that sitting next to someone for a couple of hours on a domestic flight isn’t worth being delayed by an hour. Others said they should have been kicked off the flight sooner, arguing that an hour is far too long to have allowed the dispute to go on.

One person said: “If you want to make sure you’re next to your partner, pay the extra fees and make sure you book the seats together.” Another added: “Any conversation longer than 10 minutes should have been had outside the gate.”

A third fumed: “An HOUR?!!! Nah, they didn’t do their job. Get him off immediately.”

In a world of smartphones and content creators, airlines have strict rules on taking photos or videos while on board, with British Airways tightening its passenger regulations

Every airline has passenger regulations, but holidaymakers may not be aware of the restrictions on taking photos during a flight, as British Airways tightens its rules.

Heading off on holiday is always an exciting time, and it’s natural to want to document the journey, from arriving at the airport and boarding the plane to landing at that sun-drenched destination. But for those eager to take photos or videos during their flight, there are stringent guidelines to follow.

A vast number of airlines that fly thousands of Brits to holiday hotspots every year have specific policies on using a camera on board. While they affirm that it’s not a blanket ban and passengers are still allowed to take photos or videos during the flight, they can’t capture everything on board.

READ MORE: British Airways warns passengers taking certain photos can be kicked off flightsREAD MORE: ‘I’m a pilot – there’s one ritual l do at the airport before every single flight’

Just recently, British Airways introduced tougher guidelines on taking photos and videos while on board and revised its passenger terms. In an update under section 11a on its ‘behaviour on the aircraft’ conditions, the airline noted that none of its crew should be filmed without their consent.

The update stated: “If, while you are on board the aircraft, we reasonably believe that you have filmed, live-streamed or photographed our crew or other colleagues without their consent, we may take any measures we think reasonable to prevent you continuing your behaviour.”

The airline went on to warn that passengers who fail to comply with these rules could be asked to disembark upon landing or be refused passage on the remaining legs of their journey, as shown on their ticket. That’s not all; the incident could be reported to the relevant authorities “with a view to them prosecuting” the passenger for any criminal offences that may have been committed.

BA also pointed out that if diversion expenses arise due to unacceptable conduct, and they redirect the aircraft to an “unscheduled place of destination” and remove a passenger from the plane, that traveller will be liable for the “reasonable and proper costs of the diversion”.

They’re not the only airline to have a policy of this nature in place. Outlining their own policies on the common habit, a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told the Mirror: “We know our customers enjoy capturing moments during their journey, and photography and filming are permitted onboard. However, we ask that customers always seek permission before including other people, including our crew, in any photos or videos. The comfort and well-being of our customers and crew is always our priority, and our crew may ask customers to stop filming or photographing to protect the privacy of those onboard.”

Meanwhile a spokesperson for Wizz Air told us: “Wizz Air is proud of its cabin crew, who play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of everyone on board. Filming or taking pictures of cabin crew without their consent is not tolerated on board. Passengers are required to follow crew instructions at all times, and where behaviour is considered disruptive, unsafe, or causes concern to crew or other passengers, appropriate action may be taken in line with our Conditions of Carriage. Our priority is always to help ensure a safe and respectful onboard environment for both passengers and crew.”

As for easyJet, a spokesperson told us: “Customers are welcome to take personal photos and videos as long as it doesn’t disturb the privacy of other customers or include the crew without their consent, so everyone can have a pleasant flight.”

Meanwhile, Ryanair states in its terms and conditions: “Recording or photographing our personnel, whether at the airport or onboard the plane, without their consent is strictly prohibited. Only recordings or photographs personal to you may be permitted.”

While airlines have these regulations in place, it doesn’t mean holidaymakers can’t document their flights. They’re still free to capture images of their seat, the view through the window, cabin features, meals, drinks and any other personal moments – provided they don’t film a crew member directly without their permission.

The same rule applies to photographing or filming fellow passengers on board without their consent. So as long as travellers remain mindful of their surroundings and what they’re recording, it shouldn’t be an issue.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Before flying hundreds of people across the world, one pilot has a particular practice he does every single time before he flies – and it’s not what you might expect

Operating an aircraft isn’t your typical 9-5 job, with varied hours and flight schedules at all hours of the day. Yet for one pilot, no matter what time it is, there’s one ritual he always does before every flight.

Waiting at the airport and clocking a member of cabin crew or a pilot confidently walking through the terminal in their pristine uniform and perfectly packed travel bag can sometimes leave the average passenger feeling a little awestruck. It is like you’re spotting a celebrity for the first time or seeing someone you shouldn’t.

It can leave us filled with curiosity about the people who take to the skies for a living, and call a plane their office while cruising at 41,000 feet. Offering an insight into the life of a pilot, Tom Copestake revealed what he gets up to before every flight, whether he’s departing at the early hours of the morning or at night.

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Tom has been a Wizz Air pilot for four years and, during that time, has flown thousands of passengers on more than 750 flights, visiting more than 50 countries. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror about life as a pilot, he disclosed: “Sometimes my alarm goes off at 3am or sometimes I’m not starting work until 6pm in the evening.

“But no matter what, whenever I get to the airport, the first thing I always do is get a vanilla latte and an almond croissant. It somehow resets my mind to say, ‘ok, this is the start of my work day.’ It’s the first thing I do, and I think an airport ritual isn’t a bad idea. “

And the airport isn’t the only place, Tom, who is based at London Luton Airport, can enjoy the tasty treat. “We have some early starts, but having a cup of coffee and a croissant, going over the Alps, with this fabulous view in front of me, nothing beats it.”

While taking in the incredible vistas, Tom added: “There are parts of the earth that we look down on that no one has ever walked on – it’s really cool.

“The way it makes you feel really small, but insignificant somehow. Looking down at this expanse of snow and mountains or sand and desert, but it’s the most exhilarating feeling, I love it.”

Sharing a closer insight into his job as a pilot, Tom acknowledged: “This is a customer service job that happens to be in the aviation industry, and I love the fact that each of the thousands of passengers I’ve flown has a story and a reason to travel.

“It might be for fun, to see family, or we have people who might be working in different countries. It’s really cool, and I love that so much.” He humbly added: “This job is a privilege”.

For more information on Wizz Air flights, or to book your next getaway, visit its website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The popular airline offered reassurance to passengers in a message shared on social media

Jet2 has offered reassurance to passengers worried about passport control queues at Spanish airports. In recent weeks, British travellers visiting the popular destination have reported long queues following the rollout of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System.

In response, the airport authority, AENA, has reportedly directed staff to take all possible measures to streamline the process and reduce waiting times. In light of the border control queues, passengers have also been contacting airlines on social media to find out what to do in the worst-case scenario.

For instance, a Jet2 customer recently contacted the travel firm on X to ask for advice. @Jet2tweets often offers assistance to Jet2.com and Jet2holidays passengers on social media.

In a post shared on April 28, a passenger named Laura wrote: “With the crazy queues at Spanish airports to get through passport control, can you guarantee that I won’t miss my transfer bus? Thanks.”

In response, Jet2 said: “Hi Laura, any congestion caused by passport control our airport team will be aware off and will make sure there is a plan in place, so customer do not miss their transfers. Thanks, Gemma.”

Sharing a further message, Laura continued: “Thanks Gemma. Last time it took nearly 3 hours to get through – I’m hoping there won’t be any issues even if it’s that long?” Jet2 replied: “Rest assured our team will be aware of any congestion and plans will be in place.”

Passengers with transfers can find more information about the service on the Jet2holidays website, with transfers to and from hotels included with all Jet2holidays. The website says: “You’ll be met at the airport by our friendly Red Team who’ll then show you to your coach. Once onboard, you’ll be informed whether you are the first, second or third stop.

“Coach transfer information will be available in the Jet2 app when you land in your destination. We’ll also send it by SMS. Whether you have a coach, private or adapted transfer, our friendly Red Team will be on hand to guide you and help you on your way.”

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) requires visitors from non-member countries such as the UK to have their fingerprints recorded and a photograph captured to enter the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, predominantly within the EU. While the new system was initially introduced in October, it became fully operational on April 10, 2026.

The Mirror has contacted Jet2 for comment.

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.

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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.

Passengers have been following these instructions for years, but a cabin crew member has now explained the important aircraft safety reason for keeping window blinds open during landings take offs

Have you ever wondered why cabin crew insist we keep the window blinds up when planes are taking off and landing? If you have, you’re certainly not alone – even frequent flyers are only now learning the reason behind this rule.

The explanation came to light following a video posted by traveller Quinn Kuntz. In footage filmed from her seat, she asked: “Can someone explain why European flights require the window shade to be open for landing? They are so strict about it.” Quinn concluded by pondering whether the rule applies “everywhere”, adding: “I just wanna know why.”

In response, cabin crew member Amelia Richardson was swift to provide a thorough explanation.

“Cabin crew here – lights off in hours of darkness – your eyes are adjusted to darkness in case of evacuation,” she began. “Window blinds open – danger can be seen outside and emergency crews can see in. Tray tables and bags under seats – saves critical seconds in an evacuation.”

Amelia went on with further instructions: “Emergency exits remaining clear – again saves critical seconds, emergency exits are a lifeline in an evacuation. Just remember an aircraft must be evacuated within 90 seconds. Listen to cabin crew, follow the rules. Everyone’s happy.”

A second person added: “Safety. There are no wing or rear view mirrors on a plane. It is so the passengers and crew can alert the pilot of anything untoward.”

A third concurred, writing: “In case the passengers notice something the pilot can’t or doesn’t see. Just an extra precaution.”

Meanwhile, a fourth TikTok user explained the rule has been implemented across the globe.

“Simple: if there a fire or emergency, flight crew needs to see what’s happening so they can better choose which side to evacuate passengers,” they said. “This is an international regulation. It’s worldwide they do this!”

Indeed, pilot school, BAA Training confirms this is correct in guidance on its website.

“The first reason is your safety,” BAA advises.

“If anything happens during a take-off or landing, your eyes will already be used to the day or night light outside, thus you will be able to react more quickly.”

The firm goes on to state: “Another reason for keeping the blinds open is visibility of aircraft outside. If any problems occur with the engine or wings, the crew can see it out of those tiny round windows in a cabin.”

“If the aircraft needs to be evacuated, passengers and the whole crew is able to see which side of the aircraft is safer for evacuation.”