Flight chaos: flight attendant reveals 20 tips for flying to summer vacation

Created: 06/30/2022, 14:11

By: Martina Lippl

The flight chaos this summer is also causing problems for flight attendants (archive photo).

© Bernd Feil/imago

Finally summer holidays and an end to the chaotic situation at airports in Germany and Europe hardly seems in sight.

A flight attendant shares 20 tips with travelers.

Munich – Anyone who is already sitting on their packed suitcases should prepare for the worst.

Many holiday dreams are shattered at the last second.

Flying is nerve-wracking like never before.

Flight chaos reigns this summer of all times - after two years of Corona.

The main travel season is only just beginning.

A flight attendant anonymously posted 20 pieces of advice on Facebook for anyone planning a trip this summer.

Chaos when flying: flight attendant gives tips

From the flight attendant's perspective, the list is long.

But "flying this summer is rough," she writes, adding three exclamation marks.

Even with her first tip, the anonymous flight attendant hardly exudes optimism.

They are practical tips that every traveler should know.

• Tip #1

  : "Things are not good..." - with these words begins tip number one.

  Then the flight attendant advises against flying if the destination can be reached by car in seven hours.

  “Flying is just not fun at the moment.

  With no airline,” the Facebook post reads.

  If you still have to fly, you should read her tips now.

• Tip #2

  : "Download and use the app of the airline you're flying with." The airline's app has nothing but advantages, according to the flight attendant.

  This allows the boarding pass to be called up and the luggage to be tracked.

  The status of the flight can be observed even if something changes on the flight.

  It's definitely better than waiting in a long line to speak to an employee.

  Then she has a real insider tip ready.

  "Believe me - usually these apps will tell you a flight has been canceled before the crew even knows!"

• Tip #3

  : "Fly much earlier than you have to - a full day earlier if it's important".

  The flight attendant has already seen a lot of people this summer who have missed important events such as weddings, funerals, cruises or graduation parties.

  "The tears were very real, for very real reasons, and there was nothing I could do about it!" - so it's better to arrive a day earlier and stay in a hotel.

• Tip #4

  : "ALWAYS fly on the first flight in the morning so you have all day to get rebooked".

  Even if that meant the alarm would go off at 3 a.m.

  And the morning flights would not be canceled as often.

• Tip No. 5

  : Keep an eye on the weather – also at other times of the year.

  Air passengers should keep in mind that summer is thunderstorm season.

  A single storm can paralyze an airport.

  The risk of thunderstorms increases as the day progresses.

  That's why the flight attendant advises early flights.

• Tip #6:

  “Plan for long layovers” – If you have to change trains, plan for more than three hours.

  An hour is not enough, if you have 30 minutes - you have no chance.

Flight attendant speaks plain language: "We are understaffed and overloaded"

The 20 tips from the anonymous flight attendant on Facebook are partly of a practical nature.

However, some of these provide a behind-the-scenes look at the current issues with flying.

"We are understaffed and overworked," writes the flight attendant.

In doing so, she expressly includes not only the pilots and flight attendants but also the ground staff: “Without the ground staff, there would be no one to park the planes, navigate the entry lanes, load and unload the luggage on the planes or check the boarding passes.” The staff shortages in the various areas result in numerous delays that would add up throughout the day.

Ultimately, the consequences of the delays also affect the working hours of the flight crew.

And after 16 hours of flying it's over.

Flying longer than 16 hours is illegal.

If no replacement crew is available, the flight will be cancelled.

By the way, it is also a reason to book the flights in the morning if possible.

Flight chaos on summer vacation: A flight attendant's post on Facebook gives a deep insight

Flight chaos on summer vacation: A flight attendant's post on Facebook gives a deep insight.

© Screenshot Facebook

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In her post, the flight attendant asks for the passengers' indulgence and for more accommodation.

"Be nice" - that's her appeal.

Unfriendly passengers would have to face the consequences.

In addition, passengers should not overdo it with alcohol: "If you drink too much in the bar while waiting for your delayed flight, you risk not being allowed to fly at all." A shower and brushed teeth are also welcome for the flight .

However, passengers should avoid perfume and smelly food.

To save valuable time when boarding, the flight attendant recommends packing smart.

The hand luggage should be able to be stowed easily and quickly in the rack.

This avoids annoying traffic jams in the aisles and all passengers can board quickly.

Summer vacation 2022: This is what you should know about travel insurance and cheap tickets

In order to at least cushion the financial consequences of a flight fiasco, the flight attendant recommends travel insurance.

Especially if you have invested a lot of money.

She tells of a family of eight who missed their connecting flight to Rome and missed a cruise.

Then the flight attendant addresses a delicate point on the subject of money.

Most flights are currently fully booked.

If the plane is overbooked, the passengers who paid the least for the ticket and booked through a third party would land first.

Finally, the flight attendant gives some advice on her own behalf: "Please don't tell the flight attendants that they look tired.

We are - and we know it.

You could trigger secret tears in the airplane kitchen with a sentence like that.”