FLYING can be a stressful and tedious experience at the best of times, so it’s no wonder we turn to our gadgets for distraction.
But passengers may want to think twice about putting on headphones before a flight, because it may make all the difference in an emergency, according to air crew.
And even if disaster doesn’t strike, you still run the risk of being greatly inconvenienced by not paying attention to your surroundings.
Gate changes can be announced over the airport loudspeaker, and missing this critical information while jamming out to your favourite tunes on Spotify could cause mayhem for your getaway.
Jonnie Lane, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant of 16 years, told Stuff: “There’s a potential to miss critical information that can really affect the way your travel day goes.”
Once aboard the flight, the crew will run through the all too familiar safety briefing, showing you how to fasten your seatbelt and where the emergency exits are.
Experienced flyers may feel entitled to tune this out, but you should still remove your headphones and listen to them, says Nick Leighton, host of etiquette podcast Were You Raised By Wolves?
“That is a courtesy, and also just for safety,” he said.
“It would be nice that everybody did pay attention, because every aircraft is a little different.
“Getting off an airplane in 90 seconds or less does actually require team effort.”
Lane agrees, saying: “It does take a toll throughout the day when I have to do that multiple times and I get ignored several times.
“It’s frustrating because I’m there primarily for their safety.”
Have you ever wondered what cabin crew mean when they exchange mysterious codes during a flight?
In January this year, a former Emirates flight attendant revealed the secret codes crew use for passengers they find attractive – or irritating.
And in November, a flight attendant spoke about customers who were the worst to serve – and the three nationalities cabin crew loved to see onboard.
In August, it was revealed what subtle act from a flight attendant could mean your pilot is beginning to panic about the plane.
In an exclusive for The Sun in February 2023, a flight attendant revealed the incredible perks of being part of the plane’s crew.
