A flight attendant with a large social media following has detailed a set of unwritten rules she says many passengers routinely ignore, ranging from in‑flight hygiene to basic safety and booking practices.
Barbara Bacilieri, 29, who posts as “Barbie Bac” and has drawn millions of followers with behind‑the‑scenes airline content, described the behaviours in a recent conversation on the podcast What's The Jam that was reported by the Daily Mail. Bacilieri, who was born in Argentina and now lives in Spain, works as cabin crew at altitude and framed the guidance as practical steps passengers can take to keep flights cleaner and safer for everyone on board.
At the top of Bacilieri's list was a plea for basic courtesy and restraint. She said some passengers begin flights with jokes or provocative remarks before greeting crew or fellow travellers and recounted instances in which people questioned a pilot's gender. She advised travellers to avoid comments that might cause discomfort or distraction.
Hygiene and food safety were recurring themes. Bacilieri warned that lavatory floors can contain unknown liquids, and urged passengers not to walk barefoot or press bare feet against carpets or blankets, which she said are washed but still exposed to many users. She advised caution about in‑flight food and drinks: she said tap water from aircraft systems is not the same as bottled water and expressed reluctance to eat items such as yoghurt that may sit unrefrigerated for long periods during multi‑leg rotations.
Bacilieri also offered practical safety reminders. She encouraged wearing sensible footwear rather than high heels, noting that passengers may need to remove shoes during an evacuation to avoid damaging an escape slide. She said passengers should keep seat belts fastened while seated, citing the potential for sudden, unexpected turbulence.
On travel logistics, she recommended buying tickets directly from airlines rather than through comparison engines, arguing that doing so can clarify responsibility in the event of a disruption. She also suggested reserving hotels with free cancellation as a safeguard against delays or cancellations.
The comments follow a broader trend of airline staff using social platforms to share workplace observations and passenger advice. Industry safety guidance already emphasises keeping seat belts fastened when seated and following crew instructions during an emergency. Health authorities and some airlines publish advice on food safety and cabin hygiene, while individual airlines set policies on services such as bottled water and meal storage.
Bacilieri has previously built an online audience by posting about cabin life and passenger interactions, and her recent remarks aim to translate that insider perspective into everyday tips for travellers. The Daily Mail report on the podcast interview was published Sept. 10, 2025.