As the summer holidays reach their peak and airports experience their busiest periods, a Ryanair flight attendant has offered advice for travelers seeking a smoother flying experience. Lola Hillier, a cabin crew member for the airline, shared her game-changing travel hacks, covering everything from carry-on baggage to seat selection and essential apps.
Carry-On Baggage
Hillier highlighted that Primark offers a carry-on bag that precisely meets Ryanair's size requirements. She noted that she uses one herself as her crew carry-on bag, emphasizing the airline's strictness regarding luggage dimensions. For those looking to maximize their packing space, compression packing cubes are recommended, as they allow significantly more to fit into a bag, particularly useful for overnight trips or layovers.
Liquids and Hydration
Regarding liquid allowances, Hillier advised opting for travel-sized toiletries, often available at pharmacies like Boots, as airport regulations can change. She also suggested that for passengers who feel unwell or dehydrated during flights, electrolyte tablets dissolved in water can make a noticeable difference. Flying at high altitudes can lead to dehydration, and consuming electrolytes can help combat this and air sickness.
Seat Selection and In-Flight Deals
For improved comfort on board, Hillier recommends booking seats in row 17, which consistently offers extra legroom across Ryanair aircraft. Alternatively, seats D, E, and F in row two also provide additional legroom without being emergency exit seats. Passengers are also encouraged to pay attention to in-flight announcements, as these often detail special offers on food, drinks, and duty-free products.
Essential Travel App
Hillier also pointed to Flightradar24, a free mobile application that can provide real-time updates on flight departure times and potential delays, sometimes before official airport boards are updated. Both crew and passengers can use the app to stay informed about flight statuses.