Flight Secrets Airlines Don’t Want You To Know

Planes get struck by lightening ALL the time

Source: New York PostBut don't worry - planes have been built to withstand lightening ever since 1963. A Pan American Boeing 707 was struck, some fuel vapour caught fire and the whole plane exploded. There's no happy ending to that story. Ever since however, planes have contained electric and mechanical systems to make sure this never happens again.

Buy your tickets separately, even when travelling as a group

Source: The Active TimesReader's Digest once discovered that even if group booking is simpler, it won't necessarily be cheaper. One reason is that say you're buying 5 tickets and 4 are discounted, you'd assume that only 1 would be full price, right? Nope. Often the airline will bring the other prices up to match the more expensive one. Sneaky.

You can't be held prisoner on a delayed plane

Source: news.gtp.grIt's a horrible feeling right - sitting on a runway for an eternity (especially if you're travelling with children or don't love flying.) But the good news is, airlines aren't allowed to keep you on the tarmac for more than 3 hours without going anywhere. The bad news is, if they know this is likely to happen, they'll just go ahead and cancel your flight rather than risk the fine.

"Non-refundable tickets" aren't really a thing

Source: LoyaltyLobbyThe US Department of Transportation status that airlines must “allow a reservation to be canceled within 24 hours without penalty.” To make sure you don't miss out on this, make sure you book directly with the airline;  third parties have their own fine print to drown you in. That way, if you wake up the next day and change your mind or discover a clash in your diary, it's all good.

Pray no one says 7500, 7600, or 7700

Source: iStock

They're not good news. Hearing 7500 is arguably the worst, meaning a hijacking has occurred or is imminent. The code 7600 means the plane has lost communication or that the radio has failed. Finally, 7700 is a general emergency. Sorry, you probably didn't want to know about those actually...

Your oxygen masks aren't everlasting

Source: NBC NewsApparently, you've got 15 minutes worth of breathing time with those babies. That does not sound like a lot really. Also, it's not pure oxygen (which is highly explosive), it's mixed with barium peroxide. It may be used in fireworks but don't worry - that stuff heats up and splits from the oxygen particles before they get sent down that orange tube to you.

If your flight is cancelled, phone customer services in the line for the desk

Source: Bott and coYes of course your feet will be heading to the ticket desk if the worst happens and you're grounded. However, every second counts here. So, while you queue, get on the phone to customer services, who can also see and book remaining seats for you. Being in the queue twice never hurt anyone.

Even if you're being blinded by the sun, keep your bind up doing take off/landing

Source: Aviation for aviatorsThis rule is not so the over excited 10 year old next to you wants to see the ground vanish. It's so the fire crews can see in/ communicate with the crew if you crash. Cheerful. Also, do keep those trays in the upright and locked position. It's a whole lot harder to evacuate if you don't.

You can't crash the plane with your phone

Source: Electronics: How Stuff WorksWe all know we should put our smart phones on flight mode when onboard a flight, and we can't be the only ones who've wondered what will happen if we don't. Turns out, you won't crash the plane, but you could interfere with the onboard systems... so maybe best to do it anyway.

There might be several screws lose

Source: airsafe.comYou've probably seen that worrying sight - a tiny hole on the wing you're pretty sure ought to contain a screw. And yes, it probably should. But with over 2 million fastenings on the plane, more than one or two are likely to be missing or forgotten. A plane in China was once founding to be missing 30 on one wing (it had been flying like that for 5 days.) But don't worry. The plane, and you, will be fine with the odd one missing here and there.

The cabin crew get a pretty rough deal

Source: FE WeekThis is a bit outrageous we think. Flight attendants only get paid their hourly rate once the doors are closed. Ever felt like you've been rushed into your seat or the doors have been shut way too early when you've been delayed? This is why. It's madness really - boarding must be one of the most stressful times, unless there's an emergency of course. PAY THEM PROPERLY!

Lost your luggage? Make sure you get paid.

Source: FortuneWe all know airlines are notoriously bad at paying out when they lose you stuff. However, it may surprise you to know that in the US, payouts can go as high as $3,300. So, if they lose something valuable and you can prove it, keep pushing for a refund; you may well get one.

777 and 787s often have a secret room with beds

Source: InsiderIf you've ever been on one of these bigger aircraft and clocked a suspicious looking door near the front, chances are it's full of pjs, storage, tvs and beds for the cabin crew's use. Grabbing a quick nap (or, rumour has it, other bed related activities...) during your break is clearly more achievable if you're not stuck in those horrendously uncomfortable chairs like the rest of us.

Yes, the seats are actually getting smaller

Source: Smarter TravelIn the 1970s, the air travel industry was deregulated. Which. Sucked. Since then, the amount of legroom we are given has, on average, shrunk from 35 inches to 31. This, along with the average seat going from 18 inches to 16.5, has meant airlines can cram more of us on board. The one thing which hasn't shrunk? Our waist lines. Not ideal.

Pilots are tired. Really tired.

Source: eurocockpit.beYour Pilot is only allowed to be airborne for 8 in 24 hours. However, when you factor in delays, checks, maintenance... they might be technically working for a heck of a lot longer. Then, they have to do everything else (eat, planning, commuting, actually resting) during their "rest time." It's not like they can blast the radio and roll down the window to keep themselves awake at the wheel now is it?

This one is gold. Almost literally.

Source: stmarynow.comFlights have to be 85% full to make a profit - so yes, they are overbooked on purpose. If you get bumped, and it's unlikely, and are delayed for more than 2 hours, remember this: ask for cash. The airline is obliged to pay you up to 400% of your ticket cost (max $1300 sadly.) But still, turn down any offer of vouchers to cash in!

Running out of fuel is not as impossible as you'd hope

Source: iStock 

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) stipulates that planes must have only 45 minutes extra fuel on board for a flight. That's not a lot. Bad weather and incompetence could mean longer delays getting to an emergency runway. Only 0.5% of reported crashes are caused by this - we'll leave it to you to decided whether that's still too high for something which seems like an easy fix.

Have you locked the bathroom door? Sure?

Source: Daily ExpressWhen you think about it, it's not really a bad thing that airplane toilet doors can be relatively easily unlocked from the outside. Trapped children, ill or unconscious passengers will be pretty grateful for this little factoid. Turns out, the small metal "sign" above the word "occupied" can be lifted and the catch just slid back again. Just bare that in mind if you and you partner are feeling amorous.

Try and skip the meal if you can

Source: So YummyWhen the Daily Mail spoke to cabin crew, they were slightly sickened by what they found out. One staff member, who had worked for 5 major airlines, revealed that the meals can be prepared up to 24 hours before you get served. Also, as we'll detail below, food can be full of salt to give it flavour. There's actually no limit to the amount of food you can take on board with you so, pack well!

Flying does weird things to taste

Source: Science ABCIt's actually not the airline's fault that none of them seem to be able to serve up a good tasting meal in the air (although 24 hour old lasagne is never going to taste good.) The pressurised cabin means that mainly, we don't have to sit there wearing oxygen masks, but that, coupled with the dryness of the air, means our tastebuds just can't operate as they should.

Hands up who thinks that their plastic-wrapped headphones and blankets are clean?

Source: TravelweekSooo... they're not. Despite fears about Covid and other nasties being circulated around the tin box you've been sitting in for hours, maybe don't take refuge under an airline-issued blanket. Even if it comes in a plastic bag, US Airways have confessed to only washing their blankets every 5 days. A lot of people could have been under it in that time... the same goes for head phones. Gross.

The chances of there being a dead body somewhere on board are quite high

Source: Ynetnews 

Don't worry, they're most likely in the hold... hopefully not in an urn in your row-mate's hand luggage. Still, transporting human remains is so common that every airline has their own regs for it. It's not cheap though. Moving a loved one by air could set you back somewhere between $1,000 and $6,500. Let's hope they left money to cover it in their will.

You will get gassy

Source: DIPAirplanes are pressurised but not to a set level. We start to store up gas on the ground and it will start to expand as soon as the outside pressure changes. The result? We will just keep bloating until there is only one solution. Airlines know all about this, which is why their food is typically pretty low in fibre to try and help the situation.

It's amazing what you can find on a plane

Source: Runway girlStashed away on board your flight are a whole host of useful objects which, sensibly, only the crew know where to find. These include (but are not limited to): an axe, a defibrillator, handcuffs (don't mess them around), a fire extinguisher, a crowbar and extra oxygen.

Pilots eat different meals

Source: YouTubeNo one wants a pilot who's suffering with food poisoning. As a result, the pilots will eat different food that anyone else on board, including each other. That way, if one is unfortunate enough to get sick, the other should be able to land safely. Let's hope the on-board food is ok though. A plane full of people with D&V sounds like literal hell.

People steal things from planes. The most common? Flotation devices.

Source: traveller.com.auOf course, the flight attendants check that all seats have a life jacket; at the beginning of the day. So maybe just double check you still have one if your flight is late afternoon. If you've ever nicked one - you're a bad person. What is wrong with you? Send it back. NOW.

27. There's an ash tray in the toilets...

Source: Business Insider...but no, you're still not allowed to smoke on board. The fact is, people will break the rules. We suck that way. Airlines know this and have very sensibly concluded that the presence of an ash tray should deter people from throwing their cigarette butts in the trash, which would cause way more problems than a smokey restroom.

Don't drink the water

Source: The SunHow often would you expect the airline to test their water tanks for nasties? Every week? Month? Nope. The EPA only requires this to happen once a year. There's no actual data on how many people get sick from E. coli from plane drinking water, but there's a reason you'll see the crew drinking bottled water and Starbucks coffee... try and avoid ice cubes too.

Why you get sore feet

Source: ootandankle-usa.comAs a direct result of the painfully shrinking legroom allowance, the lack of movement when flying will literally cause your blood to pool in your feet during your flight. This is particularly serious if you're older, just had surgery or taking birth control. Be vigilant folks: stand up from time to time and try and avoid skinny jeans and leggings, no matter how great your rear looks in them.

"Air-rage" is a legit thing

Source: queerty.comUp there, in the clouds, travelling at hundreds of miles per hour, with no control over any of it, can literally throw some people into a philosophical and existential rage. There is no pretending you have any power over what's happening to you, or any of the people or things below you right now. If this sounds familiar, sorry, we've not found a solution. Maybe download enough Netflix to get you through the whole flight and order a stiff drink. Nothing with ice. And bring your own earphones.