25 Things Nobody Ever Told You About Flying On An Airplane

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Air travel can indeed be a frightening experience, particularly for first-time flyers. However, you’re not alone in feeling this way. Even seasoned travelers sometimes feel anxious. In fact, the more frequently you fly, the anxiety may even increase. This patterns into a baffling cycle, which is one of many untold aspects of air travel. Ready for some encouraging news? The fear is entirely psychological. There’s absolutely no logical reason to feel scared or nervous when on a flight. Remarkably, it ranks among the safest activities one can partake in. This is no fabrication.

However, this list isn’t going to be about calming your flying fears. We’ve already done a list like that. This list is going to be about making you a more informed flyer. We’re going to go over some behind-the-scenes tips and tricks concerning flying. These are tips coming straight from people that work on the front lines. They’re coming from flight attendants, pilots, luggage handlers, and others. These are the things they would tell you if they could. So get ready. It would be good idea for you to take out a notepad and put your listening cap on because these tips just might save you a lot of time and trouble in the future. These are 25 things nobody ever told you about flying on an airplane.

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25

When you are out over the ocean, there is no radar tracking your plane. Once an aircraft is more than 240km (150 miles) out to sea, radar coverage fades and air crew keep in touch with air traffic control via high-frequency radio.

As the recent Malaysia Airlines disaster has shown, when you are out over the ocean, there is no radar tracking your plane. You are on your own.Source: BBC.com, Image: wikipedia
24

People often fake needing a wheelchair to get boarding priority. Sometimes you'll have 10 people getting on the plane with wheelchairs but only 1 of them actually needs the wheelchair to get off. Pilots and flight attendants call these "miracle flights". Federal law requires wheelchairs to be given to those who request them but airlines generally do not ask for proof of a disability before providing one.

People often fake needing a wheelchair to get boarding priority. Sometimes you'll have 10 people getting on the plane with wheelchairs but only 1 of them actually needs the wheelchair to get off. Pilots and flight attendants call these "miracle flights".Source: New York Times, Image: pixabay
23

Dogs get terrified before they even get on the plane. The handlers can try to calm the dog down but it helps if the dog's name is on the cage. Cats don't care.

Dogs get terrified before they even get on the plane. The handlers can try to calm the dog down but it helps if the dog's name is on the cage. Cats don't care.Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
22

There is a long list of things that can be either missing or broken on an aircraft while it is still allowed to fly. It's called the Minimum Equipment List.

There is a long list of things that can be either missing or broken on an aircraft while it is still allowed to fly. It's called the Minimum Equipment List.Source: nbaa.org, Image: wikipedia
21

Locks on bags are useless. You can pop the zipper with a pen.

Locks on bags are useless. You can pop the zipper with a pen.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
20

The aisle armrests can actually be raised. Usually there is a small divot underneath it that you need to push. The flight attendant may ask you to put it back though.

The aisle armrests can actually be raised. Usually there is a small divot underneath it that you need to push. The flight attendant may ask you to put it back though.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
19

Both pilots are served different meals and they cannot share. This is done to prevent food poisoning.

Both pilots are served different meals and they cannot share. This is done to prevent food poisoning.Source: The telegraph, Image: wikipedia
18

It's not uncommon for airplanes to get struck by lightning. In fact, sometimes the plane itself triggers the lightning by flying through charged clouds which results in static discharge off the aircraft. The average commercial airliner gets hit by lightning a little more than once a year. Fortunately, they are built to withstand it.

Airplane struck by lightnigSource: livescience.com
17

There is a small latch inside the lavatory sign that will open the door when it is pulled, even if the door is locked.

There is a small latch inside the lavatory sign that will open the door when it is pulled, even if the door is locked.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
16

If you don't remove old tags from your bag, there is a good chance it might get rerouted or not make it to your final destination

If you don't remove old tags from your bag, there is a good chance it might get rerouted or not make it to your final destinationSource: reddit, Image: pixabay
15

Even though those ear buds are wrapped up, they aren't new. They were cleaned and repackaged.

Even though those ear buds are wrapped up, they aren't new. They were cleaned and repackaged.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia

Flying is one of the safest modes of travel. Not convinced? Check out this our least entitled “25 reasons why fear of flying is plane silly” for proof.

14

Some of your pilots (the new ones on regional flights) make as little as $19,000 per year

Some of your pilots (the new ones on regional flights) make as little as $19,000 per yearSource: reddit, Image: wikipedia
13

If you have a problem, don't yell at employees/customer service. Take it to twitter. In fact, low level employees are usually limited in what they can do, but your best chance is to get them on your side with a simple question - "if I were to escalate this situation on twitter, how could I phrase things so that it would help you too?". You'd be surprised how quickly the situation can resolve.

If you have a problem, don't yell at employees/customer service. Take it to twitter. In fact, low level employees are usually limited in what they can do, but your best chance is to get them on your side with a simple question - "if I were to escalate this situation on twitter, how could I phrase things so that it would help you too?". You'd be surprised how quickly the situation can resolve.Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
12

You should always expect that your bag will be lost and pack accordingly. Don't put your medicine in your check-on.

You should always expect that your bag will be lost and pack accordingly. Don't put your medicine in your check-on.Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
11

Checking in on the kiosk gives you higher priority boarding on some airlines (American Airlines)

Checking in on the kiosk gives you higher priority boarding on some airlines (American Airlines)Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
10

Never order non-bottled drinks on the plane (coffee/tea). The water tanks aren't cleaned regularly.

Never order non-bottled drinks on the plane (coffee/tea). The water tanks aren't cleaned regularly.Source: dose.com, Image: wikipedia
9

If you're nice to the flight attendants they can usually get you plenty of extra drinks and snacks. The plane usually ends up chucking a lot of food that wasn't used anyway.

If you're nice to the flight attendants they can usually get you plenty of extra drinks and snacks. The plane usually ends up chucking a lot of food that wasn't used anyway.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
8

Some baggages are left behind on purpose due to a lack of space in the cargo hold. In order to not freak out the passengers, the carts with extra baggages are typically covered up as they are driven away from the plane.

Some baggages are left behind on purpose due to a lack of space in the cargo hold. In order to not freak out the passengers, the carts with extra baggages are typically covered up as they are driven away from the plane.Source: cbc.ca, Image: wikipedia
7

Be careful with tray tables. People change baby diapers on those things.

Be careful with tray tables. People change baby diapers on those things.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
6

You might be flying over millions of dollars worth of cash. The Federal Reserve transports money using passenger planes.

You might be flying over millions of dollars worth of cash. The Federal Reserve transports money using passenger planes.Source: New York Times, Image: pixabay
5

That "cranberry" juice has twice the calories of a coke. If you're trying to be healthy, get some water. But remember, bottled water only.

That "cranberry" juice has twice the calories of a coke. If you're trying to be healthy, get some water. But remember, bottled water only.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
4

The US has a pilot shortage. This is why many regional airlines are affected by delays and route closures.

The US has a pilot shortage. This is why many regional airlines are affected by delays and route closures.Source: Forbes.com, Image: wikipedia
3

Most jumbo jets have a "secret" room where the crew can sleep

Most jumbo jets have a "secret" room where the crew can sleepSource: reddit
2

The pushback operator makes minimum wage. They are the ones that control a $20 million plane with hundreds of lives. The worst part? They used to require trained mechanics for the job. Due to cost cuts, however, airlines began allowing entry level people to do it.

The pushback operator makes minimum wage. They are the ones that control a $20 million plane with hundreds of lives. The worst part? They used to require trained mechanics for the job. Due to cost cuts, however, airlines began allowing entry level people to do it.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
1

Mobile devices do not interfere with airplane flight instruments. In fact, some airlines in Europe, the Middle East and Asia now allow cell phone use in planes.

Man using phone on airplaneSource: discovery.com, Image: pixabay