Five things not to do on a plane (@tommycimato)
When it comes to flights, especially the long ones, upgrading from a normal seat to a seat with large legroom is a very significant thing.
Even a sweet treat or a glass of champagne at home's expense feels like winning the lottery.
Now a senior steward claims that the way to get all these small but very essential choppers is very simple, for the most part.
He claims that fair treatment, a smile and interest will already help you rise to the top of the list of chopper recipients.
However, he suggests taking advantage of additional opportunities.
Craig Peterby, president of the New Zealand Flight Attendants Association, claims that if you happen to be celebrating a wedding anniversary or a birthday on the day of the flight - which certainly makes sense because most of us like to celebrate birthdays abroad - mention this to the flight attendants and you might get a gift or an upgrade. He told Stuff: “If a passenger is celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday, the flight attendants might do something to make their flight memorable.
Just last week I went to Brisbane and back - and we had someone on the flight who celebrated 50. We immediately transferred two glasses of champagne from the business class to the tourist class, where he was sitting."
"If a passenger is celebrating a special event, such as a birthday, the flight attendants may do something to make their flight memorable" (Photo: ShutterStock)
He is not the only one who claims this.
A flight attendant reveals a method that will upgrade you to first class for free.
The flight attendant will agree to upgrade you only in one case
.
Not your medical condition - but that of one of the other passengers.
Craig recalled that one of his passengers had a miscarriage during the flight and one of the passengers on the flight who was a doctor helped at the difficult moment.
As a thank you, Craig offered him an upgrade to business class.
He said: "I had free seats, so I transferred him to business class and told all the other customers in the class why I was doing this so they would understand my decision," he shared.
Many airlines provide their flight attendants with the tools and authority to upgrade some passengers if necessary.
Craig also offers to bribe the flight attendants so that they will be treated warmly - and no, I don't mean the cash under the table.
He suggests giving the flight attendants a small gift that will pay off later on in the flight.
Shawn Kathleen, a retired flight attendant, told SFGate: "Bring them chocolate. Bring them candy. It'll only cost you a few dollars and you can thank them that way. I guarantee you'll get free drinks for it. One hundred percent."
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Chocolate for champagne (Photo: ShutterStock)
Many airlines do not allow their crew to receive cash or large gifts, but Craig claims that "small thank yous" like chocolate and greeting cards are something that is definitely possible and will definitely come in handy.
Kathleen added: "The flight attendants are always grateful for cards and small gifts, but they don't expect any gifts at all - especially after the Corona era, when they are just grateful to be back at work."
Viv Vincent, Air New Zealand's general manager of cabin crew, told Stuff: "Flight attendants work very hard to get customers where they need to be, so the best gift customers can give our crew is a friendly greeting, a big smile and a thank you." Kathleen confirmed: "All you have to do to earn the respect of the flight attendants is to be nice.
What I always tell people, it's so basic, is to say: 'Hello, are you having a good day?'
If you acknowledge our existence, I swear to God, you'll be like George.
Clooney for us.
That's how it works up there."
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