A cabin crew member with five years of experience has shared three insider tips that can help passengers navigate air travel more smoothly. Cher, who works as a flight attendant, says she applies these tricks even when flying as a passenger herself.
Her first tip is to check in as early as possible. Cher explains that airlines often oversell flights, selling more tickets than seats available. If no one volunteers to give up their seat, passengers who check in late risk being ‘bumped’ to the next flight. Early check-in also offers better seating choices.
Cher also recommends keeping the window shade closed and wearing SPF protection during flights. She points to research showing that airline staff face higher risks of skin cancer due to increased exposure to UV radiation at altitude.
Finally, she advises passengers to pack essential items—such as underwear, a toothbrush, toiletries and anything needed for a couple of days—in their personal bag kept at their feet. She notes that carry-on luggage is sometimes mistaken by other passengers and taken off the plane. Adding distinctive tags to bags can help avoid confusion.
