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Ever wonder how you could make your next flight more comfortable, without shelling out thousands of dollars for business class or first class seats?
Well, Caroline Kneitz, 34, spent six years working as an Emirates flight attendant and during that time picked up a wealth of insider advice on how to turn budget travel into a more premium experience.
Originally from the Netherlands and currently based in Dubai, the globetrotting professional covers everything from food and beverage services to soundproofing issues and baggage allowances in a bid to make the travel experience more seamless. .
Read on for Caroline’s favorite travel hacks, as she shared them with FEMAIL…
Caroline Kneitz, 34, spent six years working as an Emirates flight attendant, picking up a number of insider tips during that time.
1. Bring treats to the crew for first-class treatment
‘While you’re at the airport, stock up on lots of sweets for the crew, as this will be a big help. When I have flown for pleasure and not for work with other airlines, I have done so and have always been treated first class as a result.
“Once, when I flew from Amsterdam to Frankfurt, I was served several glasses of very expensive champagne, even though I was sitting in economy class. This was because I gifted them a bag of gummy bears while boarding.
2. Bring your own food and ask to have it heated for you
“When it comes to heating up passenger food, this depends on airline policy, but I’ve often done this for people who bought their own food. This was good for us because it meant we had extra meals left over and more options for other passengers. Once the main meal service is complete, the ovens are emptied and free for the crew to use and heat other things.
Caroline, pictured here while working as a flight attendant, recommends taking a pillowcase while flying and stuffing it with smaller pillows to make one big one.
3. Order a special meal for faster service
“If you stick to airplane food and want to get your food served early, all you have to do is ask for a special meal, like vegan or kosher. This is because special meals, which must be reserved in advance, are always served first. If you’re on an overnight flight, eating earlier is particularly helpful, as you can fall asleep faster.
4. Ask for doubles if you like to drink
‘If you feel like having a little fun on your flight, order doubles immediately when the drinks cart arrives. The cabin crew won’t judge you and, in fact, will prefer that you refuel now, as they will only have returned when you press the call bell later. When it comes to earning extra points with the crew on board, always visit them in the galley rather than pressing the call bell, as the constant ‘ringing’ can be particularly annoying.
If you feel like having a little fun on your flight, Caroline recommends ordering doubles “immediately” when the beverage cart arrives.
5. Invoice through an app so that your hand luggage is not weighed
‘My best advice when it comes to luggage is to always check in online or via an app before heading to the airport. If you go to a counter at the airport, they will probably check the size of your hand luggage and weigh it. If you’re traveling with only carry-on luggage, this is particularly annoying, as you’re likely to be a bit overweight.
“If you check-in before the airport, you can go through security and arrive at the gate, where it is highly unlikely that a member of staff will weigh your bag. That is unless you’re flying a super budget airline.
6. Bring a pillowcase to make your own pillow
“Pillows on airplanes are always small and pretty inadequate unless you’re in business class or first class. If you want a premium experience, bring a full-size pillowcase and stuff it with additional pillows or blankets to make one large pillow. This really offers maximum comfort and one of my favorite tricks.
Bring your own full-size pillowcase on the flight and stuff it with smaller pillows, says Caroline
7. Bring your own cleaning supplies to be safer
‘Bring disinfectant wipes to rub on your table, seatbelt, remote and screen. I don’t need to explain why and I’m a bit of an OCD when it comes to cleanliness. Sometimes the aircraft must be rotated so fast that proper deep cleaning is not possible.
“On a few flights I’ve been on, I’ve found crumbs on my seat, trash from the last customer in the seat pocket, and the toilets haven’t been serviced. Since I am very cautious, I take my blanket and use it as a protective sheet to cover my seat. So I ask for another to put on top.
8. Noise canceling headphones are game changers
Have you ever been on a plane with screaming babies or snoring passengers? Regular headphones won’t be able to drown out these sounds, but noise canceling headphones are a game changer. It will really make a difference to your flying experience.
Also, the ear covers won’t fall off while you sleep. I was once operating a 13-hour flight to New York and there was a baby on that flight who literally cried from takeoff to landing. I was handing out earplugs until I ran out.
Travel pro says noise-cancelling headphones are a game changer
9. Create your own spa in the sky
‘If you’re on a long trip, why not spend an hour or two pampering yourself? The pressurized air on airplanes is very dry, so it’s important to keep your skin as hydrated as possible. I love traveling with face sheets as they don’t make as much of a mess as face masks.
‘If you hit one of these on your face while watching a movie, it will help you lock in moisture. Just warn your neighbor that you are walking into one as it could give them quite a scare! I also like to wear sunscreen when I fly, as some experts say that flying can damage the skin due to UVA rays. However, some studies have dispelled this belief.’
10. Reserve an emergency seat to stretch your legs, but to be safer, reserve aft left
“As frequent flyers know, emergency exit seats offer the most legroom in economy class, but it all depends on personal preference. I often find these seats annoying because there is nowhere to store your small suitcases and you have to put them in the overhead lockers. If you sit next to the wings you will experience less turbulence, as this is the most stable section of the plane.
‘If you are looking for the safest place to sit, this will be on the left hand side at the rear of the aircraft or at the left stern. As cabin crew, we were taught that this area provides the least risk in the event of an explosion or crash. That’s also where the crew would place a bomb if we found it on the plane during the flight because if it went off it would cause the least damage.”
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