12 Flying Tips From Airline Employees

So much goes on before, during and after your flight, it's almost impossible to know everything you need to know about traveling by plane. For the best tips on flying, we turned to the experts: airline employees. Who knows how to get the most out of air travel, while cutting down on time and adding quality to the experience, better than the most frequent flyers and experienced aviation personnel? Read on to see what airline insiders have to say about better air travel.

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Prepping for a journey by downloading the proper apps can be the difference between a smooth trip and a rough one. Airline employees suggest passengers think of the airport, the airline(s) they're traveling with and on-the-go entertainment when researching which apps to get pre-flight.

If the airport has its own app, it can assist in navigating through the terminals and give instant updates. Airline apps can keep you notified of last-minute changes to your flight and allow you to check in early. Wi-Fi and streaming apps like Boing and Netflix might be supported in-flight, so check with your airline before you leave home.

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An oldie, but still a goodie, this time- and money-saving tip is backed by airline employees everywhere: There are actually better times than others to fly. In particular, traveling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday nights will cut down costs pretty significantly, as well as save on time by not having to wait in long lines at the airport. These slow travel days see much less foot traffic, allowing you to pass from counter to security and boarding more quickly. When possible, search for flight prices midweek to potentially save a few more dollars.

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Have you ever considered joining an airline's frequent flyer program, but then decided not to? Maybe you already use a reward program through your credit card, or assume you'll never be flying this specific airline again. Regardless of your reason not to, you're going to want to rethink that. Gate agents can see who is a loyalty customer, and they reward their members with last-minute perks like seat upgrades. It'll only take a moment to sign up and you never know what you might get from it!

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They're on a tight schedule and, with an extremely low crew-to-passenger ratio, airline staff don't get many chances to break away from their tasks. Offering to get a coffee or bringing little treats is an invaluable gift of consideration to these hard workers. Airline employees admit that these small acts of kindness are appreciated, and the thoughtful passengers who give them are more likely to receive freebies, upgrades and enhanced service. Also, you've landed yourself a knowledgeable friend, a nice resource to have in case anything happens onboard.

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We have nothing against the adorable babies who get to explore the world by plane early on in life. In fact, we encourage parents to travel with their toddlers. However, if you don't have a teeny-weeny passenger in tow and you'd like to avoid being next to an understandably cranky baby, your best bet is to sit far away from the bulkheads (the partitions on a plane), since these are the only places where car seats can be safely installed. Crew members know, and now you do too!

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Like it or not, everyone has to pass through TSA checkpoints— even the cabin crew and pilots. Since they most likely go through this procedure more than most travelers ever will, they've picked up on time-saving tips that can help get you to your gate sooner. A valuable tidbit is to put all of your jewelry in your carry-on before you get in line, or even before you get to the airport. Also, bring as few electronics as you can manage and keep them out until you pass through security. This nifty tip helps you breeze through TSA as quickly as possible, especially if you're wearing the recommended slip-on shoes with socks.

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Store an extension cord and/or a plug-in adapter with multiple ports in your carry-on to ensure a more pleasant pre-boarding experience. Not only will you be able to comfortably move around while your electronics are charging—without the need to huddle near the charging hub—but gate agents and airline staff also attest to this being the best way they've seen passengers attract friends and brighten up other travelers' days. This helpful hack is as practical for you as it is sociable. It never hurts to have friends in high places.

Seasoned flight attendants and gate agents notice the people who think they're "sneaking" on early. It's understandable to want to nab a seat if you're, say, flying Southwest Airlines, which uses a first-come, first-served system. But as far as the majority of airlines go, you're rushing for little to no reason or benefit—and it's annoying to the crew. Relax, enjoy the last moments before your flight. Finish your coffee and wait until you're called.

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Another perk of waiting patiently (besides mastering an important virtue) is the possibility of sliding into your very own row. When passengers ask attendants about moving to open rows, that's perfectly fine if any are available. But you'll hear the same response over and over if you're on the plane early: "You'll have to wait for all passengers to board first." Your best chance at an open row is to file in at the end and ask a crew member (with a smile and polite tone) if you may sit in any remaining open rows. If you're the last to be seated, you'll be the first to know.

You read that right: Have as many complimentary snacks and drinks as you want (while supplies last, of course). Between gratis soft drinks or packs of peanuts, the sky's the limit on stocked freebies. Connor Edwards, a pilot in training, shares this tip, even though he also mentions that bringing your own food is best. Still hungry after the included in-flight meal? Ask if there are any extras available, and if so, they're yours!

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Sometimes forward thinking moves you backward. Cabin crew members shared that rows closer to the back of the plane will usually receive better service. Not only are you physically closer to where the crew members sit, making it a quick trip for refills and other services, but attendants also appreciate being able to serve you discreetly, without having to walk back and forth advertising items they might not want to (because of possible shortages, tight time allotment between safety procedures, etc.). With the ability to have more drink refills, it also doesn't hurt that the back rows are closer to the bathrooms.

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All travelers should understand their rights as passengers before leaving their homes. An important fact to pocket is your right to cold, hard cash. In case you are bumped from a flight that's overbooked, you're entitled to more than the travel voucher they'll try to offer you—namely a check cut the same day. No need to be belligerent with the customer service rep, either. If you'd prefer cash over credit, be courteous and speak calmly. Remember, especially with airline employees (or any human on the planet), honey gets you more than vinegar, so ditch the sour attitude.

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