Cabin crew members travel extensively, so their advice on making the most of trips is often trusted. One flight attendant's top tip could be invaluable, especially for solo travelers. Esther Sturrus, who works for Dutch airline KLM and shares TikTok videos about her journeys, recommends always throwing a water bottle under the bed upon entering a hotel room.
Although unlikely, tourists can be targeted by thieves or intruders, with some travelers choosing to be vigilant in certain countries or in rooms on lower floors. According to Esther, this hack lets you 'check that no one is under the bed without looking,' easing your mind if you are wary. She advises rolling the bottle under the bed, adding in her video that it 'has to come out on the other side.' If it does not, you may want to exercise caution.
Bear in mind that an obstruction does not necessarily mean there is someone hiding underneath your bed. It could just as easily be where spare sheets are stored, or you did not throw the bottle hard enough to get it right across to the other side. That said, it does not hurt to check, and you will sleep better knowing you have done your due diligence.
Esther's followers praised the tip, including one person who called it 'super useful.' Another said that a new fear had been 'unlocked' by the revelation, while a third called it a 'crazy' thought. The rest of the flight attendant's hotel hacks were more lighthearted, though, from using a hairdryer to clear a steamed-up mirror to turning over a paper cup and poking a hole in the bottom to hygienically hold your toothbrush.
Metro previously asked cabin crew for their insider tips on having the best possible flight. Here is what we found out.
How to Get Upgraded on a Flight
'As far as travel tips are concerned, my number one tip for those looking to get upgraded (and treated like royalty) on a flight is to be lovely to the cabin crew,' Hannah Murphey, former flight attendant and director of Globe Fit Ltd told Metro. 'A smile and eye contact upon boarding goes a long way. Chat to the crew and ask them about their job. I used to love it when passengers showed an interest in me and were kind opposed to demanding. I wanted to then go out of my way to ensure that they have the very best flight, so I would move their seats if there was a better one available – and I would give them extra drinks etc. purely because they had showed me kindness. When passengers are rude and expectant it has the opposite effect.' Essentially, a little kindness really does go a long way.
Choose the Best Seats
If you are in a position to choose where you are sitting on the plane, make sure you think about that decision. 'Go for a seat just forward of the wing for a comfier flight and don't sit near the toilets or galleys – because it can be smelly and noisy,' suggests Daisy White, a former flight attendant.
Sit at the Front of the Plane for Your Choice of Food
If you can choose your seats, opt for the front of the plane. Not only do you tend to feel turbulence less at the front compared to the tail of the plane, but there is also a perk during mealtimes. Kamila Jakubjakova, a flight attendant, told Metro: 'The food service usually starts from the front of the airplane, so you'll get to dine first if you sit in the very first rows of an aircraft. Sitting in the front rows also means you are more likely to get your preferred choice of meal if two options are available.'
