What are your air travel micro-hacks?

I find that those air vents are overrated as they simply blow the same temperature air as what’s in the cabin already. So if an airline (JAL, I am looking at you!) heats up their cabin like crazy, the air vents won’t help. A USB fan however, now that’s an idea maybe? Never occurred to me to me tbh.
I'm flying long haul next week and I have my USB fan charged and ready to go. I hope it makes a difference.
 
Frozen ice cream.

Just wait 5 minutes. It’s a long haul flight just have patience. This is in contrast to the butter hack where time is of the essence to where it goes with the meal, ice cream is not time critical.
 
In the recent What's your golden travel rule? thread, AFF members shared lots of great tips that can make a big difference to your travel.

There are lots of other little tips and tricks that definitely won't change your life, but are the kind of thing that make you think "ha, that's useful". Things like, how to raise the armrest on your aisle seat. Or how to soften the frozen butter you get with your Economy Class bread roll.


What's your best air travel "micro-hack"?
I have misplaced items on a plane ,especially in the seat pocket after a long flight. Now I travel with an A3 plastic zip bag which contains everything I need for the flight. You can buy the bag from office works . It is transparent so you can find things easily. The plastic pockets slips easily out of my carryon luggage into the seat pocket on arrival. No more fidgeting through bags looking for headphones, snacks , eye masks, nose spray etc. Simple!
 
If travelling in Y take snacks. The food is probably going to be:
1. cough
2. Not what you like/wanted to eat
3. Insufficient

Take something thats easy to carry and grab when you need something extra.
 
I'm always amazed at how rock solid ice cream can be when served (multiple airlines do it and not just in whY).

It's not like they don't know it's going to be served and needs a little defrosting....
IIRC we had the answer to this a while ago… apparently it’s a space thing! Not enough room in the galleys to thaw out ice creams while doing everything else that needs to be done!
 
IIRC we had the answer to this a while ago… apparently it’s a space thing! Not enough room in the galleys to thaw out ice creams while doing everything else that needs to be done!
Interestingly, Maggie Beer I’ve cream served on last night’s QF157 was verging on “melty”. Not quite at that point, but easily spooned out for consumption. Had been anticipating waiting a third of the flight for it to thaw out enough, but nope, not this time.
 
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Not sure if this counts : Before getting to security screening, I empty the contents of my pockets into my hand luggage.

I avoid the extra step of dumping all my stuff into a tray (and holding up people behind me).

I also only have to keep my eye on one thing (my HL) rather than two (my HL and the tray).

Said contents are easily retrieved while in the lounge.
Agree - and with me having 2 knee replacements I always get the open everything please, so have been doing that for years now...
 
OK I know this sounds a little weird but remember, you do remove the packaging...

With the rock-hard butter, simply tuck it under your armpit for a minute or so; surreptitiously I suggest or you WILL get strange looks! The result however will be perfectly softened butter with zero risk of it ending up molten.
 
I've also noted that the back of the airplane is cooler than the front!
Makes sense.

During cruise the aircraft has an angle of attack that’s slightly nose up.

Therefore the front of the cabin is higher than the rear.

And as we know hot air rises and cool air falls.

QED.

It also explains phrase “down the back”. 😉
 
Wear pants or shorts with an elastic waistband, far more comfortable and no faffing around with belts.
 
OK I know this sounds a little weird but remember, you do remove the packaging...

With the rock-hard butter, simply tuck it under your armpit for a minute or so; surreptitiously I suggest or you WILL get strange looks! The result however will be perfectly softened butter with zero risk of it ending up molten.

Plus keeps you cool if the cabin is too warm :rolleyes:
 

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