Want to make your next flight more comfortable, stress free and less germ ridden? Then read on.
Brenda Orelus, from Miami, has been a flight attendant for nine years and on her TikTok channel @flightbae.b she reveals a number of insider secrets.
Some of the topics she addresses in her videos include the dirtiest places on the plane, why you should never use toilet paper while in the air, and why compression socks are one of her must-have items.
Take a flight down to load up on some of Brenda’s top flight tips.
Brenda Orelus, from Miami, has been a flight attendant for nine years and on her TikTok channel she reveals a number of insider secrets
No need to rush! Give yourself PLENTY of time between connecting flights
In a bid to reduce stress with connecting flights, Brenda recommends leaving two hours between them for domestic travel and three for international trips.
Brenda says that this is because ‘the only constant in aviation is change, so it is highly probable that one of your flights will in fact [be delayed].’
The travel pro continues: ‘That cushion time will actually end up being your saving grace to allow you to still make your connecting flight.
‘I’ve seen it time and time again, you don’t wanna put yourself with a 30-minute or 45-minute window because that’s giving you zero time to account for any delays changes in aircraft or even changes in airport. I’ve seen the craziest things.’
Bathroom talk: NEVER use toilet paper on planes
Brenda recommends using the tissue paper in plane washrooms instead of toilet paper.
She reveals that this is because when turbulence hits ‘little boys who are pointing and shooting, they kinda point and shoot everywhere so that usually ends up on the toilet paper.’
So in a bid to avoid soggy, stained toilet paper, Brenda says it’s best to reach for the tissue paper that’s ‘usually up top or yonder’ as it is much cleaner.
Brenda advises using the tissue paper in plane washrooms instead of toilet paper
No joking around! These things can get you BANNED from flying
There are various things that can get you banned from flying and placed on a ‘no-fly list,’ Brenda says.
Firstly she warns that striking any airline employee is a federal offense so ‘don’t do it.’
The stewardess explains that you get a ‘VIP skip line to the top of the no-fly list if you hit a flight attendant, a gate agent, [or] a pilot.’
And if you deal a blow, ‘forget about it, you’re out of here.’
Next up, Brenda says ‘threatening any kind of terroristic activity,’ is an absolute no-no.
She tells viewers: ‘Come on now, I don’t care if it’s a joke, it’s not funny, we’re on a plane. We don’t know if you’re serious or not.
‘If you carry on about having a bomb, transporting a bomb or doing anything of that sort you’re going to be on the no-fly list.’
Lastly, Brenda says that transporting illegal things will also see you banned from the skies.
While she says many people assume this just applies to ‘guns, drugs, things like that,’ certain animals and plants can also cause problems so it’s best to check the rules and regulations before jetting off.
Back to basics: The dirtiest part of the plane ISN’T the toilet
Brenda says the dirtiest parts of the plane are the seatback pockets
While airplane toilets have a bad reputation for having pee-stained floors, Brenda says the dirtiest parts of the plane are in fact the seatback pockets.
These, she says, are ‘dirtier than the lavatories, they’re dirtier than the seat cushions and they’re dirtier than the tray tables.’
According to the globetrotter, who has visited more than 90 countries during her career, the seatback pockets are ‘never cleaned unless somebody vomits or there’s something ooey… coming out of there.’
She concludes: ‘All the cleaners do is go in and take out the trash so all of those germs have accumulated and there’s no real regular maintenance or cleaning of those surfaces whereas lavatories are regularly wiped down and sanitized.’
Lotions and potions: Five must-have items for your in flight bag
In one of her TikToks, Brenda reveals five things that she always has in her flight attendant bag.
One of the first items she whips out is a tube of moisturizing lotion and she says this is essential as ‘flying is drying.’
Next up, she always carries perfume with her because she says she doesn’t know how long she will go between showers.
Many skincare experts warn that flying increases your UV exposure because of the altitude. For this reason, Brenda says she keeps sunscreen on her ‘at all times.’
She tells viewers: ‘If you think the sun’s bad out in nature, imagine being at 35,000ft.’
Another of the Floridian’s top beauty picks is a hydrating mist, as this helps to keep her skin looking fresh and last but not least, she packs a styling gel for her hair.
Circulation booster: Compression socks are a must-have
Along with a concise selection of beauty products, Brenda swears by compression socks.
She explains that socks help ‘promote blood circulation,’ which is ‘critical’ to her job as a flight attendant.
Before she used the socks she said she experienced ‘extreme swelling.’
But since she’s been wearing them, she’s seen a ‘significant decrease.’
For fashion-conscious travelers, Brenda notes that there are ‘no show compression socks’ which come to the ankle instead of below the knee.
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