“Avoid This Seat at All Costs”: Flight Attendants Share Their Top Flying Hacks and Tips

An airport and cruise parking solutions provider has partnered with ex-flight attendants at major airlines to reveal how to best fly over the busy Easter travel period. 

• Flight attendants have shared their top flying tips in partnership with an airport and cruise parking solutions provider.

• The stewards and stewardesses, from leading airlines such as Virgin, American Airlines, and British Airways, have shared a series of hacks on how travelers can make Easter travel easier.

• The top tips include advice on when to fly, where to sit, and how to secure an upgrade. 

Flight attendants from leading airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and American Airlines have partnered with Rightway Parking to share their top travel tips and hacks. 

11A and 11F are the worst seats to book on a flight

According to a former attendant who worked for American Airlines, row 11 is often the middle row on most aircrafts, making it one to avoid as passengers seated there are typically the last to deboard. Specifically, seats 11A and 11F, both window seats, can make exiting the plane even slower.

“If you’re looking for a quick exit, avoid row 11 at all costs,” shared the flight attendant. “Being in the middle row, especially in a window seat, which tends to be either A or F, almost guarantees you’ll be one of the last off the plane. Avoid this seat at all costs.”

Don’t wrap your Easter basket early - pack smart for TSA rules

Domestic flights still follow TSA's 3-1-1 rule for liquids*, meaning each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller, and all containers must fit into one quart-sized, clear, resealable bag. Each passenger is allowed to bring one such bag in their carry-on.

Keep your carry-on light and organized to speed through security. "If you’re carrying gifts, don’t wrap them before you fly," one American Airlines attendant advises. "TSA might need to inspect them, and unwrapping at the airport is no fun!"

Bad weather flying and anxious flyers

Bad weather can wreak havoc on flight schedules. Anxious flyers, or even those just wanting to make sure everything goes to plan, should keep an eye on the forecast. "Always build in extra time during weather-prone months," one attendant adds.

Upgrade: Don’t be afraid to ask 

One attendant who works for airline giant, British Airways, stated that when it comes to upgrades, “Ultimately if you don’t ask you don’t get.”

If you want an upgrade most flight attendants would recommend asking at the desk as unfortunately, according to a British Airways attendant, “us flight attendants have no control”. They continued, “The people checking you in are the ones who can see the space's availability and have all the control. Even if there’s not a free upgrade they may be able to get you a discounted rate.”

Another attendant from Virgin Atlantic shared: “If you’re scared to ask, it’s always worth checking your flight online before you head to check-in. A quick airline search can tell you if business/first class has already sold out, so you know not to ask. That being said, don’t rely on this solely as people always forget to turn up.”

By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Rightway Parking