Travel expert shares four simple tips to avoid ‘annoying’ flight attendants | Travel News | Travel
A popular travel personality has warned tourists against several seemingly innocent acts whilst on board a plane that could potentially annoy flight attendants.
Megan runs the YouTube channel PortableProfessional and regularly posts videos where she offers tips on how they can make the most of their money and avoid stress during their next getaway.
In a popular video, Megan discusses some of the things passengers should never do on board an aeroplane.
1. Swapping seats
She highlighted that swapping seats with others without telling staff is never a good idea.
She explained: “Flight attendants need to check where everyone is sitting for safety reasons and, if you sit somewhere other than your assigned seat, you might be in a seat reserved for someone else who is still getting on the plane.
“If you are desperate for a new seat, it is best to wait until after takeoff, when the seatbelt sign has been turned off and you are certain that everyone else is on board, but even then the flight crew is not going to be too impressed.”
2. Use overhead bins correctly
Megan also advised plane passengers to use the overhead bins correctly, noting that putting items in the wrong space or causing an unnecessary fuss is the easiest way to annoy flight attendants.
The YouTuber explained that overhead bins on planes are meant to be used for hand luggage or large rucksacks that cannot be stored underneath seats.
To ensure all passengers can store their luggage in the bins, Megan urged travellers to store small bags, such as laptop cases, and spare clothing items under the seat in front of them.
3. Pay attention to the safety briefing
Later in the video, Megan suggested that travellers should always remember to pay attention to the safety briefing so they know what to do in the event of an emergency and as a sign of respect to members of staff.
She continued: “One way to both annoy and disrespect your flight attendant would be to leave your headphones in or carry on having a conversation during the safety demonstration.
“You might have seen the safety briefing many times, but imagine giving a talk and having everyone ignoring you or speaking over you. That’s how flight attendants feel when passengers don’t pay attention.”
4. Fasten seatbelts when asked
Finally, the YouTuber recommended that passengers always fasten their seatbelts when required, recalling one ingenious pilot who had a solution to the issue.
She added: “Do not be the passenger that requires special and direct instructions to put your laptop away, place your personal items under the seat in front of you, stow your tray table and then fasten your seatbelt.
“I was once on a flight where a pilot announced that there was going to be a delay in takeoff because his system was showing that not all passenger seatbelts were done up. This was brilliant. A chorus of seatbelt clicks echoed through the cabin.”