6 Flight Attendant Secrets Every Traveller Should Know
Ever wondered if your flight attendant has a secret crush on someone onboard? Listen out for their hidden code words! Plus, learn why packing your own snacks could save the day on your next flight.
To reveal the juiciest industry secrets, travel experts at eShores have paired up with two seasoned flight attendants – one wishing to remain anonymous – to uncover the insider tips and tricks straight from the skies, these six must-know hacks will change the way you travel.
- Listen out for secret code words
Rumour has it flight attendants will use secret slang to identify attractive passengers to one another. If you hear them refer to someone as ‘Bob’, they are using the secret acronym ‘babe on board’. When you are disembarking from the aircraft, if the flight attendant says ‘cheerio’ to you this could also be code they have a secret crush!
Our anonymous source adds “we always run back to the galley and let the rest of the crew know where the sexy passenger is sat, we will be extra nice to them and give them freebies. I can confirm phone numbers have definitely been written on napkins!”
- How to party with cabin crew
Ever wondered what the cabin crew get up to after their long flight? Go partying of course!
If you fancy partying our source explains “Airline crew love partying with their passengers, especially in Vegas. Numbers are always exchanged on a flight so be brave and ask a flight attendant out, because they may just say yes and know the best spots to go!”
- Bring some of your own snacks
Many people are surprised to learn that the meals on planes are purposely oversalted – but for a good reason. Kamila Jakubjakova, a flight attendant for over three years, explains:
“Due to different air pressure and dry air inside the airplane, our sense of smell reduces roughly by 20%, and so does the sensitivity of our taste buds, making the food taste blander. Therefore, the aircraft food is often oversalted. For this reason, I prefer to bring my own snacks when I fly.”
Our anonymous source comments “food on premium airlines such as Emirates, Qantas and Etihad is all freshly made then flash frozen or chilled. It’s real food and I’d even go as far as to compare it to eating at a restaurant, so the content of salt will be the same”.
- Avoid the plane water
All that salty food paired with the dry airplane air could leave you gasping for a drink – but it’s best to avoid the tap water on planes, experts say. While the quality varies between airlines, a Healthline report found microorganisms present in some water on planes, including the total coliform bacteria.
Kamila adds that the water may not be the best, however, it does have to follow certain hygiene standards:
“Bottled water would be my first choice as the water tanks don’t get cleaned often due to time constraints. Although the aircraft water is not the best quality, they still have to follow the hygiene and sanitation standards.”
- Blankets, pillows and mattresses are not always clean
While usually saved for mid to long haul flights or first class, blankets, pillows and mattresses are sometimes provided as a cosy luxury. Even if they are in a sealed plastic bag there is no way to know the last time they got cleaned. To stay warm and comfortable, layer up and bring your own travel blanket or scarf.
Our source comments “first class mattresses don’t get changed or laundered – a clean sheet is put over it. On short haul flights pillowcases don’t get changed, they’re probably just turned around. However, premium airlines hire cleaners to do this, so all pillowcases and blankets are changed”.
- Let’s talk hygiene
There have been countless videos online showing passengers barefoot on planes, even venturing to the toilet without shoes on.
To give you some insider cleaning tips our anonymous source explains “the toilets are never deep cleaned, just wiped down with an antibacterial wipe and the toilet floors are never cleaned”.
Do with that information what you will….
Now that you’re armed with these insider tips, your next flight is bound to feel a little more luxurious—or at least more prepared! From decoding secret cabin crew slang to packing snacks and skipping the plane water, these hacks can make a world of difference.
Whether you’re planning your dream getaway or just hopping on a short-haul trip, knowing these behind-the-scenes secrets will give you a fresh perspective on air travel. Ready to take off with confidence? For even more tips and tricks, check out the eShores blog and start planning your next adventure!
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