What you shouldn’t do on your next flight

TRAVELLING during the pandemic has its own set of challenges. Plane journeys in the past used to be fun, especially when it was a long-haul flight. I remember making a playlist, packing healthy snacks that I shared with my seatmate and admiring destinations we flew over from the screen in front of me.

These days, flying is a lot more different. Now I count the hours until I reach my destination.

I thought masks would be a problem, but I struggled with adjusting to flying long distances. And the different personalities of travellers didn’t help either.

If you are flying international soon, here are some tips on what you shouldn’t do:

Do not take a million loo breaks

If you are in the middle or window seat, be mindful of the number of times you go to the loo. While walking and stretching are important during long-haul flights (and you should go if you need to), don’t take advantage of your fellow travellers by heading out every few minutes – whether it’s to see your friend in the aisle or to ask for a beverage refill.

Aisle passengers often find it difficult to rest because they want to be awake if a passenger on their row needs to leave their seat.

If you use the loo frequently, ask to swap seats.

Do not drink hot beverages As tempting as a cup of tea or coffee may sound on a flight, don’t do it. A flight attendant named Kat Kamalani recently took to Tiktok to share why travellers should steer away from ordering hot beverages.

She said: “Never consume any liquid that is not in a can or a bottle. The reason is those water tanks are never cleaned.”

Do not use the blankets and pillows

It is germ central as those blankets are recycled from flight to flight. We’re pretty sure flight attendants fold and repack them and that they are only washed after the last flight of the day. Pack your own if you are a germophobe.

Do not bring carry-on luggage unless you really need to

If you have a connecting flight, pack a backpack instead of carry-on luggage.

Don’t forget to sanitise your seat

I sanitise and wipe my seat, tray table, entertainment system and seat belt before I sit.

I also wipe the window if I’m sitting in the window seat.

As much as you may look weird, sanitise for your peace of mind.