7 Things You Should Always Do on a Plane

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Boarding a plane involves more than just locating your seat and securing overhead space. While these are important tasks, they’re just the beginning of preparing for a comfortable and safe flight. To help you travel like a pro, we’ve compiled a list of seven essential actions that experienced flyers always take as soon as they board—practices you’d be wise to adopt for your next trip. These insider tips go beyond the basics, focusing on strategies that can significantly enhance your comfort, well-being, and overall flight experience.

Sanitize Your Area

There’s no gentle way to say this: Planes are gross. Microbiologists estimate that airplane tray tables have an average of 2,155 colony-forming units (CFUs, a.k.a. “germs”) per square inch. That’s compared to the 70 CFUs per square inch that lurk on airport bathroom stall locks. Pack some sanitizing wipes and wipe down your tray table, seatback TV, remote control, armrests, and seatbelt latch—any hard surface you’re going to touch during your flight should be cleaned.

Position Your Air Vent

If you feel like you always get sick every time you fly, try turning on your air vent on your next flight. Leaving the overhead vent on during your flight can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, giving you a better chance of staying healthy during your trip. 

Set the ventilation to low or medium and position it directly in front of your head, blowing straight down. If you can feel the airflow on your lap, you’ve done it right. (Just make sure you sanitize your hands after touching the air vent, as they are another surface that’s rarely cleaned in between flights.)

Count the Rows Until the Exit

No one ever plans to be in a plane crash. But if you take a moment to mentally prepare for one, you increase your chances of survival if the worst does happen. Count the number of rows between your seat and the closest emergency exit. If the plane goes down or makes an emergency landing, you may have to make your way out of a dark, smoke-filled cabin where you can’t see the exit. If you know exactly how many rows stand between you and the exit, you can feel your way out of the plane, counting the rows by hand.

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You only have about 90 seconds to evacuate a burning airplane for the greatest chance of survival, and you don’t want to waste valuable time trying to find a way out. Make sure you’ve mentally selected a backup exit as well, in case your closest door is blocked.

Check for a Life Vest

Although the flight crew checks each seat for a life vest at the beginning of every day, they usually don’t check them between flights. Unfortunately, some people do actually steal life vests, so do a quick check under your seat for yours, especially if you’ll be flying over water.

Gather Your in-Flight Essentials

After you’ve taken care of your health and safety essentials, it’s time to focus on your in-flight comfort. If you’re stashing your personal item in the overhead compartment, remove everything you’ll need during your flight before putting your bag above your seat. That way, you’re not constantly getting up and down—or stranded without something you need when the seatbelt sign is on.

Chew Gum

If you have sensitive ears that painfully pop during take-off or landing, chew some gum before you go airborne. This can help with air pressure changes and make you feel better. Plus, you’ll have fresher breath when you land.

Make Sure Your Seatback TV Works

Got a long-haul flight and don’t want to be stuck staring into space for hours? Check to make sure your seatback TV is working. If you’ve drawn the broken machine, the flight attendant may be able to move you to another seat so that you can still enjoy the in-flight entertainment, saving you from trying to discreetly watch your neighbor’s screen.

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