An insider membership platform has collaborated with UK flight attendants to provide insights into the best tips and tricks for travellers, following the launch of its luxury travel offering.
Flight attendants from leading airlines such as TUI, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and easyJet, have partnered with luxury membership platform, Velloy, to share their top ten travel tips and hacks from how to secure upgrades to the ultimate flying no-goes.
- Avoid mid-flight toilet trips in your socks
Tara, a short-haul flight attendant at TUI, shared with the platform the essential flying advice accumulated over her career. Tara’s first major tip surrounds hygiene when flying. Tara says, “My number one tip would be to not go into the toilet without shoes on! Nine out of ten times it’s not water on the floor, so you probably want to avoid taking a trip to the toilet in socks or bare feet.”
- Never eat directly off the tray table
Although they are deep cleaned in between journeys, aeroplanes are a cesspit for germs.“Whether you’re eating an in-flight meal or having a mid-flight snack, never eat directly off the tray table. Attendants see so many people lay down their heads, change their babies’ nappies, and even have their feet on the tray tables.”, one easyJet employee shared.
- The worst seats to book on a flight: 11A and 11F
One of the most common tips Velloy received by the flight attendants was on where to sit on a plane. As row 11 is most commonly the middle row on an aeroplane, nearly all attendants suggest avoiding booking seats on this row as you are guaranteed to be the last person off the plane. 11A and 11F specifically are no-gos, as they are most likely to be window-seated, meaning it will take longer for you to deboard once you arrive at your destination.
“Similarly, if you are heading on a short-haul flight, you’re likely to fall short on food by sitting in the middle of the plane too” Tara from TUI adds. “If you are planning on getting any form of drink or snack from the bar on board a short-mid haul flight, then sitting towards the front or toward the back is 100% the way to go.”
Tara continues, “If you sit in the middle, especially on your way home, we are much more likely to have sold out of whatever it is you want because we always start at the front and back and work towards the middle.”
- Travelling during off-peak times may increase your chances for an upgrade
Choosing to fly at less busy times, like the middle of the week, could improve your chances of receiving an upgrade, according to attendants. With fewer passengers, there’s less competition for premium seats, increasing the likelihood that airlines will offer free upgrades.
- 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 BA 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.”
- Upgrade: The early bird… or the last, catches the worm
If you’re going to ask for an upgrade, try to be either the first one to do so or the last. The partnered flight attendant suggested that by checking in right when check-in for your flight becomes available, you will increase your chances of being first in line for an upgrade, as seat assignments have not been finalised yet.
However, checking in at the last minute can also work in your favour. If the economy class is full and there are available seats in a higher class, airlines might opt to upgrade the last few passengers instead of transferring them to a different flight.
- Upgrade: Ditch your partner and family
More commonly than not, those who get upgraded are upgraded alone as there are not lots of seats available, especially next to each other. If you’re looking to get an upgrade don’t be afraid to split up from the rest of your party – they may envy you leaving them behind but rest assured the experience will be worth it.
A long-haul Virgin Atlantic employee said, “If you’re travelling in a couple you’ve got more of a chance of both being bumped, however, there’s still the likelihood you won’t be sitting together once your seat has been moved.”
- Or.. bribe us!
This isn’t a guaranteed entry into first class but a little niceties go a long way, according to one anonymous UK long-haul flight attendant. “There’s no harm in being a suck-up now and again. Many flight attendants, whether they admit it or not, have favourites on a flight, and you probably want to be one.”
“Although nothing is guaranteed and we aren’t the ones with the keys to a flight class upgrade, by being a ‘favourite’ you may be a shoo-in for a free bottle of bubbly or moved to a seat with extra leg room.” The attendant adds, “Whether you opt for an overly friendly hello and chat, or go as far as bringing us a sweet treat or thank you present, you will quickly become our favourite passenger on board.”
- Ladies – put your handbag into a rucksack
Somehow 20kg is never enough for a fortnight away for many travellers, however, don’t be afraid to push your carry-on limits. Most airlines allow travellers to bring one personal item free of charge, this typically is a handbag.
“If you’re looking for smart ways to up your baggage allowance”, one stewardess who works for easyJet suggested, “switch out your handbag for a rucksack or at least a large tote bag. By doing so you’ll have enough room in your normal bag, along with much more, whether that’s extra clothes or snacks for the flight.”
- Bring a pot noodle with you
This is a great hack for fussy eaters or those with dietary requirements. “I’d always recommend bringing a sealed, just add water, an instant meal such as Pot Noodles or Pasta n Sauce in your hand luggage.” suggests a Virgin Atlantic employee.
“By bringing your own instant meal, it’s assured that you can have a warm meal that you’ll like mid-flight and that suits your dietary requirements. Even if you’re neither the latter, you’ve still always got a backup snack with you just in case your meal didn’t fill you up.”, says the attendant.
Passengers can just ask a member of the on-board staff to fill the instant meal with boiling water, and they will return this with a meal that they like.“Another great thing about this hack is that pot noodles are cheap, and will cost far less than all the snacks you could buy in the terminal.”
Velloy, the luxury membership platform, has created the above in conjunction with current UK stewardesses as a part of the launch of their new travel leg, Velloy Travel. Following its collaboration with over 80,000 hotel partners worldwide, the platform has introduced this new service that provides members with exclusive perks, discounts, and experiences.
Hugo Cannon, founder of Velloy, says, “We believe a great holiday begins the moment you board the plane. That’s why we’ve collaborated with some amazing flight attendants who work for some of the country’s biggest airlines to bring people the very best travel tips and hacks.
“Following the launch of Velloy Travel earlier this year, we were interested to hear the best insider pointers straight from the source, and they did not disappoint. We’re eager to apply these tips ourselves and hope they will enrich travelling for many Brits!”
For a full run-down of these tips, visit Velloy’s site: https://www.velloy.com/flight-hacks/
