Good Lifestyle

If there's one group of people who are privy to the best travel hacks above all others, it has to be flight attendants. Not only do these professionals spend an average of 75 to 100 hours a month in the sky, but they've expertly packed a suitcase more times than you can fathom, weaved their way through countless terminals, and know the intricate ins and outs of any airplane. So, they know a thing or two about traveling well, inexpensively, and comfortably.

If you're looking to book tickets, board a plane, or navigate any new destination like a pro, here are the best secret travel hacks from four real flight attendants who have made jet-setting their careers… and way of life.

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"Tightly rolling your clothes increases the amount of space left in your roller bag, making room for bulkier items such as hair styling tools, jackets, and shoes," says Triniese Thomas, a flight attendant for Frontier Airlines based in Orlando, Fla. "This tip works even better when you plan most of your outfits ahead of time before rolling them into the bag."

As a bonus, rolling your clothes reduces wrinkling and helps keep everything neat, compact, and easily identifiable.

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Raise your hand if you've ever had to make some hard choices when repacking your bags after buying one too many souvenirs. Nicole Padellaro, a flight attendant for a major U.S. airline who's based in Boston, Mass, says one of her best travel hacks is to pack a few older items that are on the brink of being retired from your closet.

"By ditching some clothing and accessories along the way, it'll open up the space in your luggage to bring home new goodies from your travels," she says. "[Plus], you can beat up some older items while doing activities along your travels and then you don't have to worry about packing the dirty items to bring home."

Add a lightweight, but durable bag (think: a cloth tote or a reusable shopping bag) to your packing list and bring it with you every time you travel, says Michelle Lee, a Phoenix-based flight attendant who works for a U.S.-based airline.

It will come in handy once you're exploring your new destination. "You can use it to carry souvenirs, groceries, water, food, and an extra layer of clothes and necessities for the day," says Lee.

Being 30,000 miles in the sky with a grumbling tummy is the worst. And with reduced staffing at airlines, you can expect longer wait times at airport eateries and convenience stores.

Packing your own food in a small, collapsible lunch box spares you the headache of rushing around to get a bite to eat and saves you money, too. Plus, you can bring your own water bottle… as long as it's frozen.

"A frozen water bottle can be brought through security and keeps your food cool all day," says Pedallaro. "As it starts to melt, you can drink the water." It also allows you to pack a greater variety of foods, including those that taste better when kept cool.

The thought of downloading yet another app might induce a few sighs, but having the airline's app on your phone is a must.

"With the advancement of technology and app use, airlines have really stepped up with what they're offering travelers," notes Padellaro. "Checking in, tracking your bags along your journey, having onboard entertainment and Wi-Fi—and gosh forbid, the need to rebook a flight—can easily be at your fingertips at any given moment with the app."

Many apps also keep you updated on current COVID protocols for airlines, airports, and destinations.

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If you're not checking a bag, one way to bring a few more items with you to your destination is to wear a variety of layers on the plane. Do this within reason, of course—you want to be comfortable on your journey and not look totally ridiculous.

"The heavier outer jacket can be held. Wear your tank top, shirt, and sweatshirt or sweater, plus the bulkiest of your shoes," says Lee. "You might be a little warm through the airport, but once onboard, you can take them off. This will allow a couple of extra days of clothes in your carry-on."

"Ang pag -inom ng herbal tea ay isang mahusay na paraan upang mag -decompress sa panahon ng iyong paglipad, lalo na pagkatapos ng isang nakakapagod na paglalakbay sa paliparan," sabi ni Thomas. "Karaniwan silang nabubulok, nakakatulong sa pagbabawas ng pagkabalisa, at nagbibigay ng hydration."

Karamihan sa mga eroplano ay hindi magkakaroon ng magandang iba't -ibang sa panahon ng serbisyo ng inumin, at ito ay isang maliit na sapat na item na maaari mong i -pack sa isang backpack o kahit na ang iyong bulsa. Tanungin lamang ang iyong flight attendant para sa isang tasa ng mainit na tubig.

Ang isa sa pinakamabilis na paraan upang makarating sa magandang bahagi ng iyong mga dumalo sa paglipad ay upang dalhin sila ng isang magandang bag. Hindi ito kailangang maging isang mahusay na kilos - isang mabilis na pasasalamat sa tala at isang maliit na item (tulad ng labi ng balsamo, kamay losyon, tsokolate, isang $ 5 na regalo sa kape, o facial mask) na angkop na ihatid ang iyong pasasalamat.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

"Ang maliit na damdamin na ito ay nangangahulugang maraming, at makakakuha ka ng mas gusto na paggamot - kahit na sa coach," sabi ni Lee. "[Iyon ay maaaring isama] isang maligayang pagdating ng cocktail sa lupa, ang komplimentaryong bag mula saprimera klase, at maraming salamat mula sa mga flight attendant. Siguraduhin lamang na magsaliksik sa laki ng eroplano at bilang ng mga dadalo at piloto. "

Si Mikey Tongko, isang tagapag-alaga na nakabase sa Los Angeles para saAlaska Airlines, sabi na hindi lahat ng mga eroplano ay nilagyan ng mga inflight entertainment system, kahit na maraming mga eroplano ang nagpapahintulot sa iyo na mag -stream ng libangan nang libre sa iyong sariling mga aparato. Ang problema ay ang ilang mga imbensyon ay nagtataglay ng mga tampok na hindi sumunod sa kasalukuyang mga regulasyon.

"Sa kasamaang palad, nakikita namin ang maraming mga manlalakbay na nagdadala ng mga may hawak ng telepono o tablet na alinman ay nakalakip o mag -tornilyo sa bahagi ng eroplano - tulad ng talahanayan ng tray - na hindi pinapayagan sa ilalim ng mga regulasyon ng FAA," paliwanag ni Tongko. "Huwag magulat kapag hiniling ka ng mga dumalo sa flight na iwaksi ang mga iyon." Bilang isang tabi, maraming mga talahanayan ng tray ng eroplano ang may built-in na mga tampok na nagbibigay-daan sa iyo upang madaling mapupuksa ang iyong mga aparato.

Kaugnay:Huwag kalimutan na gawin ito pagkatapos ng iyong mga lupain sa paglipad, nagbabala ang flight attendant.