Most people have experienced flying to visit friends and family or for traveling abroad. Air travel can be filled with anxiety and tension, and a former flight attendant is warning passengers not to make some common mistakes that could turn your air travel into a mess.
According to the New York Post, former flight attendant Skye Taylor mentioned in interviews with Luxury Travel Daily and Jam Press that three issues can quickly turn a regular flight into a stressful experience.
During holidays, visiting friends and family, or traveling abroad, passengers typically carry a lot of things – from multiple sets of clothes to gifts for others.
Extra items add weight to the plane and often cause trouble when putting luggage into the overhead bins. Taylor said that the rush for overhead bin space often forces crew members to intervene, slowing down the boarding process, and sometimes even resulting in passengers’ luggage being removed from the cabin.
When the overhead bins are full, passengers who only have carry-on bags are most likely to be affected. She said, “Trying to stuff everyone’s bags into the overhead bins is a nightmare, with the crew bearing the brunt of it.”
Etiquette expert and former flight attendant from Florida, Jacqueline Whitmore, told Fox News Digital that passengers should ensure their luggage can easily fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of them, and they should never move someone else’s belongings without permission.
Both Taylor and Whitmore suggest that passengers with more luggage consider checking in a larger suitcase instead of carrying multiple bags into the cabin.
Taylor mentioned that winter weather often leads to flight delays. Passengers frequently underestimate the waiting time and how cold it may be inside the cabin during the wait.
“Even if you’re flying to a tropical destination like Jamaica, make sure to bring a warm outfit,” she said. “You might be waiting on the runway for some time, and although the air conditioning is usually warm, certain areas of the plane can be cold.”
Taylor added that flights departing from cold regions like New York are particularly prone to delays due to snow or de-icing.
During winter flight delays, Whitmore emphasized the importance of maintaining good manners and being prepared in advance.
Taylor pointed out that feeling frustrated by delays or overcrowding could lead passengers to behave inappropriately towards the crew.
She mentioned that around Christmas time, both passengers and airline staff are under extra pressure, making it more common to hear cases of verbal abuse towards the staff. “We are also human, just like you,” Taylor said.
She noted that yelling at flight attendants won’t speed up the delay or solve any problems because crew members often receive relevant information at the last minute.
Whitmore also agreed that even in the face of an unsuccessful trip, maintaining respect is crucial.
“Flight attendants are there to ensure your safety, not to serve you,” she said.