How to travel like an expert
Five flight attendants from AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines give their advice on travelling like an expert.
Preparing for a long journey, beating jetlag, countless airport queues, saving money on travels, packing effectively, travelling with kids ... the list of things to consider before boarding a flight never ends for some. Five flight attendants from two airline companies share their thoughts and tips on travel.
HOW do you beat jetlag? What is the best thing to eat or drink when flying across the world on a plane?
How do you pack effectively when travelling? These are some of the questions that travellers often ponder.
We spoke to a few flight attendants to get some answers. Andrew Scott, 25 AirAsia flight attendant
Andrew has been flying for three
years. For him, being a flight attendant is all about team wrok.
When you have to fl with a different crew every day, you have to trust them, and they h trust you.”
Airport an light etiquette
To beat the queues at the airport, Scott say lways be ahead of time ou can never predict how man eople will be at the airport; immigration lines can get very long sometimes. If you’re d a transit, always book your connecting flight with a east four hours of buffer period so that you have plenty of time to catch the second flight.
“Most airports now have a lot of entertainment sp so the hours will pass by quickly,” he shares.
On the plane, d . Scott says that the aisle in an airplane is meant for only one person to walk through at a time.
“When you board a plane, it’s best to quickly put your car overhead storage compartment and grab your seat, so th other passengers.”
Alcohol intake
When you fly, you’re in a high-altitude, pressurised aircraft an hat elevates your blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, you’ll get drunk faster. Scott advises that if you do drink on board, lim etoa maximum of two glas “Remember to drin ots of water and to eat food that’s high in fibre and protein like salads, fruits or perhaps chicken. Juices are good to without a high sugar content,” he says.
Emergencies
Scott says that it is alw s best to be prepared for emergenc – have your emergency conta at all times. “Keep photocopies of your pas your carry-on bag or even in you ocket. I usually carry extra foreign currencies like US dollars when I travel – I even hide some in my shoes!”
He explains that if you ag or wallet is ll have money and copies of your important documents to make a police report.
Lilian Poi, 30 AirAsia flight attendant
Poi has been flying for 11 years and has wanted to be a flight attendant since she was young. “I have always wanted to travel and see the world, so I really love my job! Being a flight attendant really widens my perspective on life – thanks to the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve met. I’ve also made a lot of good friends,” she says.
Jetlag and nausea
If you’re going to a country with a different time zone, try to book a flight that arrives in the daytime to avoid being too jetlagged.
“When you get there, keep busy and head out to explore the area. By night fall, you’ll be tired and can sleep better. This helps your internal body clock to adjust to the local time zone,” she says.
Re-set your watch to the destination time as soon as you board and then sit through your flight based on that time. For example, if it is 1pm at your destination, try not to sleep.
Meanwhile, those who are prone to travel sickness should try to book a seat at the front of the cabin.
Earplugs and earphones/headphones come in handy at times because you’ll never know who’s going to sit next to you or around you (a baby, a person with a loud voice, a group of friends who can’t stop talking...).
Baby on board
For parents travelling with babies and toddlers, Poi says that breastfeeding/feeding a baby before boarding will help them fall asleep during the flight.
Bring along small soft toys, colouring books and puzzles to keep young children busy but avoid handing them electronic devices.
“Sweets help to pacify toddlers who get fussy and cry when their ears are blocked during take off and landing,” she says.
Bring your own pen
One of the biggest pet peeves for a flight attenfor dant is when a passenger asks a pen. But it’s not for the reason you think. Poi says that while most flight attendants are more than willing to share a pen with a passenger, the simple gesture can turn into something disruptive.
“When we’re on a flight, we’re working. Sometimes, a passenger would ask us for a pen when we’re in the middle of serving meals. If we give it to one person, others might also ask for it and in the end, the meal service would be delayed because we’re being interrupted with several requests for a pen!”
So, folks, do keep a pen in your carry-on bag to avoid disrupting the flight attendants while they are working.
Abdul Mudzaffar Abdullah Shan, 45 Malaysia Airlines lead steward
Abdul Mudzaffar has been a flight attendant for 24 years. He says that it is important for a flight attendant to be focused.
“Being a flight attendant has taught me to be very disciplined. As you grow with the airline and mix with the right people, you learn things, gain a better understanding of things, and become a better person,” he shares.
“Once you step into your uniform, you need to leave all your problems behind.”
He adds that as a flight attendant, a lot of people depend on you for many things during a flight, so you need a clear mind and be focused to help everyone.
No shorts, please
Abdul Mudzaffar says that it is important for one to travel in comfortable clothing. “For long-haul or medium-haul flights, don’t ever wear shorts because the cabin temperature can get really low. And because you’re just sitting down, there is little muscle movement so it would be difficult to ‘warm up’. Track bottoms are great for flights; you can change out of your business clothes and into your track bottoms on long-haul flights,” he says.
If you’re thinking of wearing something soft and silky for your flight, think again.
“No satin pyjama bottoms, please! In case of an emergency, satin will stick to your body like glue, making it difficult for you to move swiftly,” says Abdul Mudzaffar.
His other tips include bringing clothing that do not require ironing and wearing thermal wear for “winter” holidays.
“These are your best friends during winter because they are lightweight, easy to pack and will keep you warm without having to carry a lot of bulky winter clothing.”
For frequent travellers, Abdul Mudzaffar reveals that the best way to beat queues at the airport is to travel Business or First class. “You will be given a fast-lane pass when you travel Business/First Class so it really helps those who are always chasing for time.”
Mohd Sharizan Ahmad Shukor, 38 Malaysia Airlines flight attendant
When he’s working, it is always safety first for Sharizan.
According to Sharizan, who has been a flight attendant for 18 years, one of the joys of flying is meeting new people and learning other cultures.
“I have three kids, aged 17, 13 and 11. My wife and I take them on our travels and make sure that they learn new cultures from other parts of the world.”
Create more space
Travel-sized toiletries and amenities are great, says Sharizan. He also suggests rolling or vacuum packing your clothes to save space in your luggage. “You can use vacuum-compression bags and travel storage bags to separate different types of clothing.”
If you’re travelling with a baby or children, don’t bring along too many carry-on bags or items.
“Just pack what your baby really needs like diapers, wet wipes, milk and baby food. If you have too many bags, you might accidentally leave something behind or find that you don’t have much space to put your own stuff,” he notes.
Lastly, Sharizan says that you should always fill in your landing forms when you’re on your flight and not after you land. This will save you a lot of time.
Chai Tze Yee, 23 Malaysia Airlines flight attendant
The thing that Chai likes most about being a flight attendant is the opportunity to see the world, and also to be part of the hospitality industry.
“It has been my dream since primary school. I was seven or eight at the time, and the flight attendants had always looked so glamourous and stylish to me,” she says.
Chai feels a flight attendant has a “glamorous” job, although there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. “A lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice is involved,” she says.
Preparation is key
It’s important to prepare yourself before a longhaul flight, says Chai. Sleep and eat well before a flight. On board, do some reading or watch a movie to keep yourself awake if you need to. Stand up and stretch or walk around the cabin at intervals.
Chai suggests getting some sunlight once you’ve arrived at your destination to help your internal body clock to adjust to the different time zone, if necessary. “Doing some light exercises helps too,” she says.
Trying new food is one of the best things about travelling, but taking care of what you eat is also essential.
“Try to avoid food like baked beans, chickpeas, onions and carbonated drinks. These can cause gas in the tummy and make you feel bloated!” Chai reveals.
Saving money
Travel during off-peak season if you want to get cheaper flights and accommodation, says Chai.
“If you’re going to several destinations, flying out from a different airport rather than going back to the original airport to fly home might be more economical,” she adds.
And for parents, here’s Chai’s advice: “Book a bassinet seat for your baby. In the Economy class, it might be known as ‘bulkhead seat’ or ‘bulkhead row’, and is usually located near the toilets, galley, or cabin divider.”