20 Things Airlines Don’t Tell You

After the recent case of a passenger being forcibly removed from a United flight to make space for employees of the airline, the secret is out that airlines routinely overbook flights and are within their rights to bump you off yours. However, there are many other things airlines don’t tell you. Some of these can make your flying experience easier while others may make you want to stay on the ground and drive instead.

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1. Your Phone Won’t Really Bring Down the Plane

Modern electronics devices won’t bring down the plane, but they can cause interference with communication. If you don’t want your pilot to miss a clearance, switch off your phone.

Want more insider secrets? Check out 20 travel booking myths - busted!

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2. There’s a Good Reason for Hard Landings in Bad Weather

A hard landing in bad weather is intentional. Touching down hard when the runway is covered in water will prevent the plane from aquaplaning.

And when it comes to take off, don't worry about rain: scorching hot days (when the air is really thin) is actually when take off can be the biggest challenge, according to 13 flight attendant secrets you ought to know.

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3. Overweight Baggage can be Dangerous

There’s a limit to what a plane may weigh for it to be able to take off and clear obstacles safely. The maximum take-off weight includes the weight of the fuel needed, the weight of the passengers and the weight of the baggage. The smaller the aircraft, the higher the risks posed by overweight baggage.

Don't miss 20 of the costliest packing mistakes you may be making.

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4. The Overhead Mask Doesn’t Contain That Much Oxygen

According to the Huffington Post, the cocktail of chemicals in the overhead mask will give you enough breathable oxygen for only about 15 minutes.

That should be enough time for the pilot to get the plane to a lower altitude but when cabin pressure drops, you can pass out after 30 seconds, so you need to get that mask on quickly.

Ready to test your knowledge? Check out 35 things most people don't know about flying.

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5. Don’t Take the Voucher When You Get Bumped

If you get bumped off your flight because it was overbooked, don’t take the voucher the airline offers but insist on cash compensation instead. That way, you can get a flight on another airline and maybe even have some cash left over.

But if you're going to get stuck in economy, here are 17 ways to get upgraded to first class.

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6. You Can Bring Your Own Food

USA Today says that there are no official restrictions on how much food you can bring on board with you, as long as it fits into your carry-on luggage. (When it comes time to pack, don't forget these 20 items you should always pack in your carry-on.) However, remember that things like yogurt, hummus and anything with a gel-like texture are regarded as liquids.

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7. Don’t Book Group Tickets at the Same Time

If you want to make a group booking, search for each ticket separately. Reader’s Digest explains that if there are only three tickets available at a lower fare and you try to book four tickets, all four tickets will cost the higher price.

Want more insider advice? Check out 20 clever travel hacks that will save you cash!

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8. Dimming the Cabin Lights at Night is Not So You Can Sleep

The cabin lights are dimmed at night as a safety precaution rather than so you can sleep. The idea is that your eyes will adjust to the dark, so if the plane needs to be evacuated, you’ll be able to find your way out more easily.

If you are trying to fall asleep in the air, read our 20 simple tricks for falling asleep on a plane.

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9. The Toilet Doors Can Be Unlocked From the Outside

On most planes, it’s possible to unlock the toilet door from the outside by using the lock mechanism concealed behind the ‘No Smoking’ sign.

Pilots Have to Eat Meals From Different Sources

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10. Pilots Have to Eat Meals From Different Sources

According to Reader’s Digest, pilots cannot eat meals from the same source, for instance from the same restaurant, within an hour of each other. This is to reduce the risk of both getting sick and becoming the plot for a movie like Airplane!

You may also like: 10 surprising facts you didn't know about flying.

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11. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays Are Cheaper

How Stuff Works says that flights are cheaper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays: the least popular days for business travellers to fly. The most expensive days to fly are Fridays and Sundays.

You may also like: 20 ways to fly in comfort on a budget.

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12. Tuesdays to Thursdays Are the Best Days to Book

According to How Stuff Works, the best days to book are from Tuesday afternoons to Thursdays, when there are more sales offered. The best month to book your ticket is January.

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13. There’s a Special Place for Rude People

You should never be rude to check-in staff. One way they can get their revenge on bad passengers is to put them in an area where they’ll be surrounded by children.

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14. Know Your Rights and the Airline’s Policies

According to Airfare Watchdog, if your flight gets substantially delayed, cancelled or rescheduled, the airline may be required to refund your ticket or allow you to reroute at no extra cost.

There are rules for tarmac delays in the United States too, but when airlines violate these rules, they get fined and you don’t get any compensation. You can read about Canadian passenger rights here.

Report Lost or Damaged Luggage Immediately

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15. Report Lost or Damaged Luggage Immediately

Travel Magazine says that if your luggage is lost, you need to report it immediately and file a Property Irregularity Form, or PIR, on the spot and send in a written claim for compensation within seven days.

The same goes for damaged luggage, such as when the airline breaks your guitar. If you wait too long to file the report and claim, your only option will be to write a song about it.

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16. You’ll Want Sanitizing Wipes

The cabin is very, very dirty. Bring some sanitizing wipes, especially for the tray table, which often doubles as a diaper-changing table.

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17. Don’t Fly Barefoot

It’s not only the tray tables, blankets and pillows that aren’t regularly cleaned. The carpets in the cabin get all kinds of nasty things spilled on them, so you’ll want to think twice about walking barefoot on them. Plus, in an emergency, you'll want to have your shoes on.

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18. Your Pilot is Probably Exhausted

How Stuff Works explains that flight rules (in the US) only include the maximum amount of time a pilot may spend actually flying in a day, without taking into account the time spent on delays, pre-flight checks, baggage loading, boarding and fuelling. When your pilot has back-to-back flights, he or she may have been on duty for 14 hours or longer.

how to Use the Business Line at Security

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19. Economy Passengers Can Use the Business Line at Security

The special line for business class passengers at security is something that the airline has come up with. Airport security doesn’t actually care what kind of ticket you have, so if you’re flying in cattle class, there’s nothing stopping you from joining that much shorter line.

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20. The Plane Can Fly With Only One Engine

Planes can fly with only one engine and the pilot probably won’t tell you if an engine has failed. Even more reassuringly, most planes can glide without any engines at all for long enough to get you safely back on the ground.