Flirting with check-in staff? It’s an airport staple for Brits
FLIRTY, celebrity-obsessed and even a little soppy — that’s the verdict on 21st Century Brits according to a survey of over 1,000 holidaymakers by longhaul specialist Holidaysplease.co.uk. Here are some of the most interesting insights:
Secrets of getting a flight upgrade:
Flirting with check-in staff is the top tactic for bagging a free upgrade with 41% of people admitting to doing it.
Pretending to be on honeymoon (34%) and being a nervous flyer (27%) are also popular tactics.
6% of travellers are even willing to pretend to be going to a funeral to get an upgrade!
Sneaky packing:
22% of people admit to sneaking heavier items in their partner’s suitcase.
5% of adults take their teddy bear on holiday.
Celebrity-obsessed:
68% of people have spotted a celeb whilst on their travels and 10% of us will go over and introduce ourselves.
There were mixed reactions to airline food. Jamie Oliver came out as the dream celebrity-chef (37%) for in-flight meals, Delia Smith was voted least-favourite.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are the couple most folk (35%) want to sit next to.
We can’t switch off:
Over half of us (60%) check emails at least once a day while on holiday, with one in five confessing to checking emails more than that and keeping their Facebook status updated.
6.5% check emails more than five times a day.
Arguments:
The average number of arguments on holiday is 0.4 for honeymooners, 0.5 for stag/hen holidays, 0.7 for retired couples, 1.2 for married couples and 1.9 for family holidays.
Women said the most annoying male habit is fiddling with their phones, whereas the majority of men moaned that ladies spend too much time shopping or lying on the beach.