Flight attendants regularly turn to social media to share tips and updates about various travel dos and don’ts, as well as other helpful advice.
A website called The Quick Report recently spent some time trawling through a wide range of videos cabin crew had shared on TikTok and similar platforms. The outlet has pulled together all of the most common warnings that flight attendants have made about hand luggage – in order to avoid carry on mishaps that could ruin your holiday.
It turns out that there is a lot that can go wrong when it comes to bringing an overhead bag with you on a flight. Here are the seven most important tips they found that will help your next trip go more smoothly.
1. Avoid over-packing
Some airlines now charge extra to take cabin luggage, so if you’ve paid a fee you probably want to make sure you get your money’s worth by filling your wee suitcase with as much stuff as possible.
However, The Quick Report says: “Many passengers pack their carry-ons so full they can’t lift them into the overhead bin.
“Make sure you can handle your own luggage.”
Many airlines have rules that state if you can’t lift your bag then it doesn’t fit the definition of a carry on, so they might make you check it in the hold for an additional fee.
2. Never bring more than two bags
Some flight attendants have witnessed people trying to bend the rules. Most airlines allow one overhead bag and one smaller bag, for example a handbag, which has to fit under the seat in front of you.
The Quick Report says: “Extra bags could lead to last minute repacking at the gate.”
3. Don’t put essential personal items in your overhead bag
The main reason passengers are allowed a second, smaller bag is so they can keep things that they need during the flight to hand. Items like books, earbuds and phones shouldn’t be placed above your head.
If you do this, it will usually mean that you end up disrupting the cabin crew and other passengers by repeatedly standing up, opening the overhead storage lockers, taking your bag down and basically getting in everyone’s way.
4. Pack liquids correctly
Another problem that airport staff encounter all the time is failing to put the lids on items properly – as well as many examples of people not following the long-established 100ml limit hand luggage liquid rules.
The Quick Report says: “Unsecured liquids can leak due to cabin pressure so choose screw-on caps and squeeze air out of bottles before boarding to prevent messes.”
5. Take a reusable water bottle
Many people try to take shop-bought bottles of water through security in their hand luggage and end up having to leave them behind. If you take a reusable, empty water bottle instead you can refill it after security and take it with you on the plane.
Staying hydrated while flying is essential, and taking a reusable bottle that you can fill up for free is a good way to save money on pricey airport drinks.
6. Make sure you pack some snacks
The Quick Report explains: “Turbulence might stop flight attendants from serving snacks, so pack your own in case service is delayed or unavailable.”
However, remember to pack them in your easily-accessible smaller bag, not in the overhead compartment. If turbulence hits, you won’t be able to get out of your seat to retrieve them. Also, see the earlier point about getting in the cabin crew’s way.
7. Wear your bulky items, don’t pack them
This ties in with the advice about not overpacking.
You can save space in your hand luggage by wearing big jackets, thick jumpers, heavy shoes and other large items instead of putting them in your case where they’ll just take up valuable room.
If you bear all of these flight attendant tips in mind, you’re sure to have a hassle-free, easy trip to your destination.
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