If a flight is delayed or canceled, tourists should take one simple but important step, said Ellie Malis, a former flight attendant and now the government’s representative for flight attendants. It’s about stocking up on your food and not relying on travelers to be fed. The expert shared the details on the Reddit forum.
This summer has not been a good one for air travel, with staff shortages in Europe, strikes, and abnormal heat causing chaos at airports around the world. This summer, thousands more tourists hope to go on a long-awaited vacation. However, given the fact that employees do not plan to end the strikes and restrictions on the number of passengers have already been introduced, some will be disappointed in the form of flight cancellations or delays.
However, if your flight is delayed, there are simple steps you can take to at least make the situation less stressful. So, a representative for flight attendants Ellie Malis explained the main mistake that most airline customers make, which only worsens the situation for both passengers and flight attendants. In her opinion, tourists do not take food with them. In this regard, she urged everyone who travels by plane this difficult summer to take snacks and drinks with them in case of a long wait for departure.
These include various non-perishable foods and a reusable water bottle that can be refilled once security is cleared. “If your flight is delayed on the runway for a while or if you find yourself in a long line, you can get a drink and a snack. In addition, some airlines still do not provide in-flight catering services that existed before the coronavirus pandemic, and even if they have restored catering, service disruptions may occur,” she said.
Even if the plane manages to take off on time, drinks and snacks can still come in handy when the airliner takes off. “If the weather is bad, if it is really ‘shaky’, there is no guarantee that we will be able to deliver the drinks safely,” the expert added. In addition, some flight attendants advise bringing your food, as it will be tastier and better than what is served on the plane. So, with 12 years of experience as a flight attendant, Justine Barnes shared her insider knowledge on social media about why airplane food is so bad and how to avoid disappointment.
“Airlines have to deliver thousands of portions a week. Budget lunches are usually made in huge factories in Europe that produce millions of meals a year. Their goal is to make the meal as cheap and fast as possible, so they freeze and then ship the food all over the world. More expensive meals are prepared in huge airport kitchens and then refrigerated to keep them a little fresher. My advice is this. Take a lot of snacks, drinks, sweets, fruits, and everything you like in your hand luggage,” the expert summarized.