Don't Board a Flight Without Knowing This Flight Attendant Tip

Passengers may think they know the basics of flying, but a flight attendant says there are a few overlooked habits that could make a difference before a plane even leaves the gate.

On TikTok, user charityofsunshine shared a video giving out several tips that flyers should use based on her experience working as a flight attendant for the past 11 years.

The attendant in the clip said many passengers focus on the wrong surfaces when cleaning their seats. 

While air travelers often wipe tray tables and seat backs she advised people to sanitize the seatbelt instead, including the metal buckle and fabric strap because every passenger handles them. 

She said the belts can collect spills, bodily fluids and other residue during flights. 

Travel packs of different cleaning wipes, such as Clorox Disinfecting wipes are often well-reviewed across Amazon.

Additionally, travelers can look to purchase a travel-sized, gentle hand cleaner, to keep themselves clean while flying.

Another recommendation involved clothing. The flight attendant said travelers should avoid shorts skirts or dresses on planes. Instead she encouraged wearing full pants so that skin does not touch the seat directly. 

The poster also addressed behavior in airplane lavatories. According to the flight attendant, passengers should always flush the toilet, wash their hands and close the door using their elbow after exiting. 

Footwear was another concern. She warned passengers never to walk into the lavatory without shoes because the liquid on the floor is often not water. 

The final tip focused on food. She said travelers can bring meals through airport security which helps avoid expensive airport food, though she advised avoiding strong smelling items such as tuna or eggs.

Many TikTok viewers said the suggestion was practical and easy to follow, with a typical fan exclaiming: “I love this!! Thank you for sharing!!” 

Some contributors said they bring disinfectant wipes specifically for travel and clean several surfaces around their seats. 

“I also wipe the window shade and the air vent, [laugh out loud],” one person shared, describing how they sanitize nearby areas after boarding.

Meanwhile, others expressed frustration about the cleanliness of aircraft cabins in general. 

“You know what’d be great? If the airlines would clean the planes…” a critic pointed out.

Airline crew members often share travel advice on social media platforms. 

Newsweek reported about a TikTok video where a flight attendant gave a tip on how to avoid, "giving your information to everyone," on your travels. 

Pointing to a luggage label on a suitcase, the attendant says in the clip, "I don't know why more people don't do this. Always, always, always flip your information on your luggage card backwards.”

Another Newsweek story covered a flight attendant who shared a tip on how to make traveling easier. 

The attendant showed how people in exit rows—who might not have a screen on the back of the seat in front of them—can still access in-flight entertainment. 

Sitting in an exit-row seat, she pointed out a latch on the left side of the seat before clicking it, causing part of the armrest to spring free. 

The flight attendant then lifts it and pulls it toward her, revealing a personal screen available for the seat's occupant.

Newsweek has reached out to charityofsunshine for comment via TikTok.