I became a flight attendant in 2022, and the job has made me a better traveler. It’s also made me a more frequent one, and I prioritize taking vacations almost every month.
Last year alone, I flew on over 250 flights. Along the way, I’ve learned some great travel tips and witnessed some mishaps in airports and on planes.
Whether I’m flying as a passenger or as a crewmember, these are the most common mistakes I see travelers make:
Failing to get to the airport early enough
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I often see passengers miss their flights because they didn’t give themselves enough time to get to and through the airport.
It’s worth following what might be a golden rule of air travel: Get to the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before for international ones.
People often ask me what the latest time they can get to the airport is because they don’t want to wait around. But in my opinion, trying to arrive as late as possible isn’t worth the risk.
Unexpected situations can arise — parking could be challenging to find, the check-in counter could be understaffed, TSA could be backed up, or your gate could change.
Regardless, I’d rather have the extra time to relax at the airport before my flight. If the day goes smoothly, you can use those extra hours to refill your water bottle, stop by the restroom, grab a coffee, and buy snacks for the plane.
Also, remember that departure time is different from door-closure time. Boarding typically ends around 15 minutes before departure.
After the aircraft door is shut, the gate agents won’t reopen it for you.
Overindulging at the airport bar
Don’t get me wrong — when I’m traveling for fun instead of work, I also love a pre-departure drink. Just be careful not to overdo it.
The FAA strictly prohibits airlines from allowing intoxicated passengers to board a plane.
A big reason is that intoxicated passengers will likely have trouble following crewmembers’ instructions, especially in an emergency. Alcohol could also cause a passenger to become belligerent, which is harder to control in the air than on the ground.
If the crew notices that a passenger appears to be intoxicated during boarding, they are legally required to report it.
From there, a specially trained airline employee called a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) will usually come on board to assess the passenger. If the CRO confirms the passenger to be intoxicated, the FAA requires them to be removed from the flight.
This is the most common reason I’ve had to have passengers kicked off my flights.
Leaving the airport during a long delay
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Did you know flights can “un-delay”? It’s rare, but it happens.
Airlines try to avoid this by delaying flights in small increments at a time. Sometimes, though, a solution could come up that reverses the delay.
For example, the airline could locate a replacement plane for your flight, a different crew could become available to work, or the weather could clear up faster than expected.
If you live far from the airport and see that your flight is delayed, you might see it as an opportunity to arrive later. If you live nearby, you might even take this as an opportunity to go home.
However, regardless of how long your flight is delayed, you should remain close enough to the airport to get to your gate with little notice.
If the delay reverses and you’re not there, the plane will leave without you.
Not securing your seat in advance
If you don’t select your seat in advance, you are not guaranteed to be seated with the people you’re traveling with. This is true even if you booked the flights on the same reservation — and even if you’re traveling with kids.
If you need to be seated next to your travel buddy, you should select your seats in advance. Even if you’re traveling alone, I still recommend choosing your seat.
If you don’t, you’ll get everyone else’s leftovers, which is usually a middle seat. In addition, if you have a tight connection, it might be worth paying for a seat closer to the front.
When I fly as a passenger, I always pick my seat. I want the window seat on short flights because I like the view, and the aisle for long-hauls so I can get up without disturbing anyone else.
Some airlines will let you choose your seat for free, but others will charge a fee. Regardless, I believe it’s worth it.
Not wiping down your seat before you sit in it
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Cleaning procedures vary across airlines, but generally, I’ve seen the process between flights be pretty minimal.
Think about how quickly you sometimes see flights boarding after watching the previous passengers deplane. Depending on the airline or even the airport, cleaning might primarily consist of picking up visible trash and vacuuming.
Considering I see bare feet and dirty diapers on the tray tables almost daily, I never travel without my own disinfecting wipes.
In my opinion, the only way to truly guarantee your seat has been sanitized is to do it yourself.
