A flight attendant with five years of experience has shared three insider tips to help passengers navigate air travel more smoothly. Cher, who works on aircraft, uses these strategies herself when flying as a passenger to ensure her trips run without a hitch.
Her first tip is to check in as early as possible. Cher explains that airlines often oversell flights, selling more tickets than available seats. If too many passengers show up, those who checked in last may be bumped to a later flight. Early check-in also increases the chance of securing better seats.
Cher also advises passengers to protect themselves from the sun during flights. Studies show cabin crew face a higher risk of skin cancer, so she keeps the window shade closed whenever possible and recommends applying SPF protection before flying.
Finally, she urges travellers to keep essential items in their personal bag at their feet rather than in overhead bins or checked luggage. She has seen many cases of passengers mistakenly taking the wrong carry-on bag, so she suggests packing underwear, toiletries, or anything you cannot go without. Adding distinctive tags to your bag can also prevent mix-ups.
