Common Questions Passengers Have When Traveling by Plane

Flight attendants will call doctors on the ground and can also ask for help from professionals on the flight…

Flight attendants Kris Major from the UK and Allie Malis from the US have addressed common passenger questions through CNN.

Major mentioned that he usually avoids the traditional approach of loudly asking, “Is there a doctor on the plane?” “In the UK, you will find that most flight crews do not do this. They will assist passengers themselves.” The crew is equipped with first aid supplies for emergencies and can administer certain medications to passengers under the guidance of ground support systems. If there is a doctor on board who wants to help in emergencies, the crew is very willing to accept their assistance. “But this depends on what field they are a doctor in.”

Malis stated that on flights in the US, flight attendants will call doctors on the ground in case of emergencies. She mentioned that if there are nurses or doctors on the plane, it would be a great advantage. “Personally, I would prefer to find a doctor on the plane. I think they are the best trained for emergency situations. But we are also well-trained to assist passengers in these cases,” Malis said.

The two flight attendants also addressed additional passenger concerns:

What is the best time to fly?

The best time is the first flights in the morning. According to Malis, early morning flights are the least likely to be delayed. Even if many flights are delayed the night before, the system is usually reset overnight. The first flights in the morning will still depart on time as usual. Additionally, passengers should fly on the actual holiday rather than the day before to save time. For example, flying the night before Christmas (December 23) is usually more crowded and leads to more delays than flying on the evening of the 24th.

Passengers must sit in the seats printed on their tickets, not choose wherever they want when boarding. (Photo: iStock photo)

What should you do if your flight is delayed?

Kris Major advised that if your flight is delayed, do not hesitate to go to the check-in desk to ask staff. “We will provide you with all the information we can. If you are worried about missing a connecting flight, please inform the airline staff for assistance.” Malis wants passengers to remember that when you are delayed, the crew on that flight also has to wait just like you. “That means we are in the same boat,” she said.

How to overcome jet lag?

If you are traveling to places with a different time zone, it is best to take a short nap to recharge. After that, wait until evening at your new location to sleep, rather than sleeping according to your usual schedule at home, according to Major. Malis added that passengers should eat nutritious food and exercise to enhance their health, which will lessen the effects of jet lag.

Can you get a free upgrade after boarding?

This is something many passengers dream of: being upgraded from economy to business class or moving to a better seat in the cabin. Free upgrades usually happen on the ground at the check-in desk when passengers check in. However, there are sometimes exceptions where passengers can be moved to better seats on the plane. Once the plane takes off, passengers may change seats in special situations, such as being bothered by other passengers or at the request of the crew for balance.

Can passengers change seats freely?

According to the rules of all airlines, passengers must sit in the seats printed on their tickets; they cannot choose where to sit. However, there are many cases where passengers negotiate to change seats with each other. For example, a family wanting to sit together may request to swap seats with someone else. Malis said that in these cases, the crew typically does not intervene; they only step in when there is an issue.

Nevertheless, Malis noted that most flight attendants often feel a lot of pressure to intervene and ask passengers to change seats. This is a sensitive issue and affects their time to perform other tasks before takeoff. Therefore, most flight attendants prefer passengers to stay in their assigned seats to ensure a smooth flight.

What do flight attendants do when not serving passengers?

On long-haul flights, after takeoff and serving food to passengers, flight attendants usually have a short time to rest. During this time, they often retreat to a private area. Depending on the plane and the length of the flight, flight attendants generally have comfortable resting places, which are small rooms located in less known areas of the aircraft. They take turns resting in there.

Besides sleeping, flight attendants also often read books or watch movies for entertainment. On shorter flights, they have less time to rest. Malis revealed that if she has free time, she will take the opportunity to eat a light meal to recharge.

Do flight attendants eat the same meals as passengers?

The crew can eat and drink the same meals as passengers. However, flight attendants do not always eat the food provided by the airline. Many of Malis and Major’s colleagues often bring their own food from home, as it suits their tastes better.

“The food on the plane is not always my favorite choice. So, I often bring snacks like apples or popcorn,” Malis said. “I drink a lot of coffee to stay alert. But the coffee on the plane does not suit my taste. I usually brew my own at home and bring it along,” Major added. He also mentioned that he tends to avoid eating dishes that make him feel bloated. The crew often brings their own personal water bottles.

What happens if a celebrity is on the same flight?

“No matter who it is, everyone has to travel from point A to point B,” Malis said. Typically, the crew is not informed in advance about whether a celebrity will be on that flight. They may discover it by looking at the passenger list. However, there are some exceptions where the crew is notified in advance, such as for government officials, royalty, or VIPs. “Celebrities can be very different. Some are very rude, but some are very polite,” Malis said.

Can flight attendants accept gifts from passengers?

Depending on the policies of each airline, staff may or may not be allowed to accept tips. However, at the airline where Malis and Major work, they are not permitted to accept gifts that are packaged in boxes for safety reasons. These could contain prohibited substances or dangerous items. Generally, flight attendants often receive candies, chocolates, or pens… These small gifts make them feel very happy after a tiring flight.

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