Latest news with #flighttips
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Flight attendant reveals trick to get you more space on long-haul flights
Air travel, for the most part, is an exciting experience. But for the majority of plane passengers who fly economy, the lack of space is arguably the most stressful element. However, one flight attendant has shared her top tip to help free up more space for those enduring a long flight in standard cabin seats. Charlie Silver, who works as cabin crew for TUI, revealed in a TikTok video a button hidden on aisle seat armrests that enables them to be lifted up and pushed back. In the clip, shared to her page @silvercharlie in 2023, she can be seen demonstrating from an aisle seat how the armrest doesn't lift up as seamlessly as the others in the row do. Sliding her hand towards the back underside of the armrest, near the hinge, the UK-based flight attendant pushed a button that released it from its position, allowing it to be pushed back out of the way. The hidden button is primarily an accessibility feature for passengers needing assistance to board or exit, but it can also improve comfort for all on board. It not only provides extra space on aisle seats, but it makes it easier for people in each row to get in and out of their seats when they need to stretch their legs or use the lavatory. Sliding her hand towards the back underside of the armrest, near the hinge, the UK-based flight attendant pushed a button that released it from its position, allowing it to be pushed back out of the way However, it's generally advised to keep the armrest down during takeoff and landing, and passengers are warned to be mindful of the trolley cart as it can potentially hit an arm or leg as it's being wheeled through the aisle. In a follow-up comment, Charlie added that the button is located under armrests on 'most aircraft types.' Hundreds of viewers claimed they hadn't been aware of the button's existence and expressed their gratitude for the tip. One person wrote, 'Nah! Needed to see this at the beginning of the year! Why's it so hidden,' while another commented, 'THANKS FOR MAKING THIS!!!!!' A third added: 'I wish I knew about this 3 months ago when I had 6 flights when I went to South Africa.' However, one person warned, 'The flight attendants always make me put it down,' while another said, 'Watch out for chewies (chewing gum), my brother accidentally touched one.' It comes as one flight attendant revealed the holiday hotspot with the worst passengers. Kristina Galvydyte, 32, shared a harrowing story of an altercation that took place at 30,000 feet – declaring it the most traumatic flight of her career. Over 400 viewers claimed they hadn't been aware of the button's existence and expressed their gratitude for the tip It involved three groups on stag dos – outnumbering the four members of cabin crew. 'It was just absolute chaos, they were screaming,' Kristina told The Telegraph, 'Imagine a night out in any British town at midnight on a Friday. It was like that.' Of course, this wasn't a post-boozing brawl spilling out of a pub – it was mid-flight, on the way from Edinburgh to Alicante, in southeastern Spain. She shared that one group on board became 'verbally abusive' after cracking into their duty-free drinks – something that is prohibited. Following this, a fracas began when another group 'took offence', according to The Telegraph.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Daily Mail
I was a flight attendant for five years. Here's the VERY popular travel item I would never bring on board
A former flight attendant has shared his top tips for surviving economy travel and the one popular item he would never bring on board. Marcus Daniels, 35, left the aviation industry in 2019 after five years of working on countless domestic and international flights. Although his cabin crew days are behind him, Mr Daniels still enjoys travelling and has mastered his approach to long-haul flights. His number one piece of advice: 'Be very mindful of what you're bringing onboard'. 'There's nothing worse than being the last passenger onboard, opening up all the lockers and realising there's no space to put your bag,' he said. 'Overpacking just adds more stress to you, staff and other passengers. 'It's too much drama and chaos. When I travel I have my small roller bag and a little side bag I can put under the seat in front of me. That's it. No pillow, no big jacket.' Mr Daniels said travellers should think twice before packing a neck pillow. 'For me, it's really uncomfortable. It takes a lot of space, and it's the same for people who bring pillows onboard,' he said. 'I understand they want to be comfortable but if you're in economy you're really squashed like this.' However, there's one surprising category Mr Daniels refuses to skimp on. 'Being cabin crew really taught me to take care of myself - including my skin,' he said. 'I make sure I really hydrate my skin with an Avene thermal mist, moisturiser and some sunscreen because there's a lot of radiation when you're in the air. 'Then throughout the flight I'll spritz my face with the mist to keep it hydrated.' Since swapping his travel career for an IT job during Covid, Mr Daniels has noticed hygiene and personal space have become increasingly important to passengers. 'People appreciate self-awareness and when you think about the collective consciousness of everyone onboard. When I fly, I'm always wondering if what I'm doing might inconvenience or offend anyone,' he said. 'For example, I had an Arabic man ask to be moved because the woman next to him had her legs crossed and bare feet pointed at him - which is rude in his culture. 'You just need to be aware of everyone and considerate.' Mr Daniels also shared his top tips for avoiding the dreaded pre-holiday cold. 'A lot of people find they get sick after flights. Ultimately, we're in an enclosed space with germs circulating and some of the air gets recycled,' he said. 'I buy those alcohol sanitising wipes at the airport and before I sit down I'll sanitise my seat, the seatbelt, table, everything.' Mr Daniels added it's important to remember flight attendants are doing their best. 'Everyone tends to think of being cabin crew as this dream job. Some people try for so long to become flight attendants and it's not until they're on a plane that they realise it's not glamorous,' he said. 'It can be really tough work and often isn't the job people expected. Yes, you get to see some beautiful destinations but you become jaded after a while. 'Then there will be these times, I called them magic moments, when you get to make a passenger's day or someone will give you a box of chocolates. 'It reminds us we are appreciated and helps fix all the negative stuff.'
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Flight attendant reveals the dirtiest area of a plane - and it's not where you'd expect
Flights aren't often the most comfortable way to travel. Whether you're sitting next to a rude fellow passenger or squashed into an economy seat, there are many ways a plane journey can become a bit of a nightmare. But don't worry. A former British Airways flight attendant, Jane Hawkes, has revealed her best tips to have the most comfortable journey possible, and revealed which area of the plane is generally even dirtier than the toilets. The travel expert says: 'If you're travelling this summer, don't forget to pack hand sanitiser in your hand luggage. 'When travelling on a plane where possible avoid touching any area unless you've sanitised them. 'I recommend always carrying sanitiser and wipes in your hand luggage, as aircrafts are only ever deep-cleaned if they're taken in for maintenance.' Jane reveals that between journeys the plane is usually just given a 'superficial wipe over' and quick tidy up by crew. And the dirtiest areas? She says: 'The worst offending areas are tray tables, arm rests, seats and headrests, so always give them a wipe down before using.' In partnership with The Wedding Travel Company, former flight attendant Janealso revealed where the best seat on the plane is and passengers will get 'more leg room' in this coveted spot. 'The best seats are by the bulkhead, right at the front of the plane,' explains Jane. 'The interior walls separates the cabins from the galley, so you don't have anyone reclining their seat in front of you. 'These seats also have more leg room, and due to their location at the front of cabins, they can provide priority boarding and exit. 'Passengers in these seats will also be served first in that cabin, meaning you get to enjoy your food and drink too.' But being in the best seat on the aircraft might not even matter much if your fellow passengers don't behave. According to Jane, one of the worst etiquette mistakes travellers can make is putting their feet up on the seats. She explains: 'The worst thing any passenger can do is put their feet on the seats. It's unhygienic, unnecessary and impolite and shows a complete disregard for fellow passengers.' Another 'complete no-no'? Travellers who 'take off their shoes and socks' are breaking every etiquette rule in the book, says Jane. 'I've seen passengers walk barefoot around the cabin, yuck.' The former flight attendant also claims that those who use loud devices 'without headphones' are 'deeply annoying' while 'talking through safety announcements' is 'disrespectful to staff and other passengers'. And Jane's 'biggest bugbear?' Passengers who recline their plane seats without checking whether it's okay to do so. She explains: 'My biggest bugbear and no doubt one which many will agree with, the reclining of seats not just during the meal service but at any time during the flight without at least checking if it's ok with the passenger behind.'
