An ex-flight attendant has revealed the biggest mistakes passengers make when trying to sleep on long-haul flights and said some positions could be very dangerous. Barbara Bacilieri, who spent 14 years working as cabin crew, has shared a list of dos and don’ts for travellers hoping to get some sleepin the air. She says some popular sleeping positions could be uncomfortable, unhygienic and even dangerous. “Although passengers sleep in very strange ways on the plane, there are some things that could put you in danger,”
Barbara said. “And don’t sleep on the floor of the plane. The carpet is very dirty and you have to wear your seatbelt.” The former flight attendant also warned passengers against sitting backwards on their seat while trying to sleep. The 33-year-old said travellers should think twice before reclining their seats if the person behind is eating, as it could send food and drinks flying. She explained this is because the tray table is attached to the seat in front. Barbara also advised against sleeping
with your head hanging into the aisle. She said: “Don’t sleep lying down with your head in the aisle. The flight attendants can accidentally bump into you when they pass by with the cart.” She also urged passengers not to sleep sprawled across armrests or with their head resting directly on the tray table. Barbara, said the surfaces can be dirty and could inconvenience fellow travellers. She said: “But above all, don’t sleep two to a bed in the same seat.” The travel expert has
also shared other plane etiquette tips with her followers. In one clip, she urged passengers not to leave used tissues in the seat pocket. She said: “This pocket is very difficult to clean, it’s better to put them in a bag and throw them away later. Believe it or not, I’ve seen this a lot on the plane.” Barbara also recommends placing liquids inside protective silicone pouches to prevent spills in hand luggage. And parents should avoid changing nappies on tray tables. She said: “Don’t
change your baby’s nappy on the seat table, you’ll bother other passengers.” When it comes to food, Barbara suggests bringing snacks onboard in case meal services are interrupted by turbulence. She said: “It’s better to bring tasty things with you, like crisps, chocolate, tuna, and a hamburger.” To beat boredom on long flights, she also recommends downloading films and TV programmes before travelling in case onboard entertainment systems are unavailable. In another viral video, Barbara revealed several surprising rules she claims cabin crew must follow
while in uniform. She added: “Kissing and public displays of affection are prohibited. We’re also banned from smoking, whether tobacco or vape pens. “And for any cabin crew member who has recently quit smoking, they aren’t allowed to chew gum either.” Drinking coffee at the boarding gate is also forbidden. And of course, alcohol is strictly prohibited.”
flight attendant, sleep on plane, cabin crew tips, plane safety, seatbelt, hygiene, tray table etiquette, long-haul flights
So basically don’t sleep… got it.
I swear the floor carpet on flights is nasty, but they tell you to wear your seatbelt even if you’re just “resting”? Like what, you just float awake the whole time? Also the backwards seat thing sounds like a recipe for getting elbowed lol.
Wait if someone behind you is eating and you recline then it sends stuff flying? I feel like that’s more on the person eating with no lid than the seat tray table. But I guess the tray is attached so it makes sense?? Either way I’m not moving my seat because somebody needs to snack loudly.
The “don’t sleep two to a bed” part is wild to me. People really do that? I thought the worst was the seat pocket tissue thing, like that’s gross, but cleaning those pockets shouldn’t be that hard? And head in the aisle?? I always do that one when I get the window and I guess I’m lucky I haven’t been bonked by a cart. Honestly I feel like airlines already bump you without even trying, so this is just more fear-mongering.