Jane Hawkes, who was an air hostess for 15 years, has shared two common behaviours of passengers that make her “cringe” – and that she advises you don’t do when you’re in the sky
A former flight attendant has revealed a particularly nasty habit she’s witnessed passengers indulge in while cruising at altitude. Jane Hawkes has teamed up with The Wedding Travel Company to spill the beans on this disgusting habit.
She said: “I’ve seen passengers walk barefoot around the cabin. Yuck.” The former cabin crew member was adamant that even removing your shoes during a flight “is a complete no-no”. She stressed that it’s “unhygienic, unnecessary and impolite and shows a complete disregard for fellow passengers”.
She said: “Aircrafts are only ever deep-cleaned if they are taken in for maintenance.
“Most routine cleans involve a quick sweep for rubbish, but not much more.”
She also highlighted the importance of personal sanitisation on board, urging flyers to carry hand sanitiser, reports the Express.
She said: “When travelling on a plane, where possible, avoid touching any area unless you’ve sanitised them.
“The worst offending areas are tray tables, arm rests, seats, and headrests, so always give them a wipe down before using.”
Despite the class you fly, Jane’s revelations suggest that cleanliness is far from assured.
But it’s not just the disregard for cleanliness that gets under Jane’s skin.
She also pointed out another frequent blunder by many air travellers.
“There’s really no rush to stand up ready to disembark before the aircraft has come to a complete stop,” she said, highlighting the safety risks and pointlessness of the act.
Moreover, for those with checked-in luggage, it can be a bit of a wait before their belongings appear on the carousel.
Whether you’ve got your next overseas adventure planned or not, perhaps Jane’s words will resonate with you the next time you board a flight.