What are your air travel micro-hacks?

[Lady Sam]

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.

 

[albatross710]

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.

 

[DejaBrew]

Frozen ice cream.

Just wait 5 minutes. It’s a long haul flight just have patience.

But. Must. Eat. Now…..

 

[bdl]

For the men - plastic belt buckle.

Like.
Belts for Men, Nylon Tactical Belt with YKK Plastic Buckle - https://amzn.asia/d/ifBQkma

Like other poster, never been able to get through BNE scanners without removing this type of belt, even when telling security it's 100% plastic.

Other tip, warm up those QF mini bottles of red by placing behind knee

 

[G away]

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.

The Trick to Melt Rock-Hard Airline Butter (And Other Micro-Hacks)

Frequent flyers have lots of small micro-hacks that make air travel just that little bit easier - like knowing how to melt the frozen butter that comes with most Economy meals, or how to raise the armrest on the aisle. What's your best trick?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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!

 

[dmgale]

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.

 

[SYD]

Frozen ice cream.

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....

 

[Berlin]

I've also noted that the back of the airplane is cooler than the front!

You might have just given me the first convincing reason to consider flying in Why ever!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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!

 

[DejaBrew]

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.

 

[Franky]

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...

 

[danige]

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.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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”.

 

[jeza]

Wear pants or shorts with an elastic waistband, far more comfortable and no faffing around with belts.

 

[Daver6]

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

 

[RooFlyer]

Exactly!! Thats what I alluded to.

It was always clear what you meant, and what your experience was . But seems like we also have to put up with the security haranguing on AFF now.

 

[LoaderTosh]

Place the frozen butter on top of a power bank?

Ha ha! Excellent sense of humour.

 

[LoaderTosh]

Plus keeps you cool if the cabin is too warm

Rock hard butter. Assuming it’s standard cattle crates issue … commercial punnet with foil intact … place it between your upper leg and the seat for a few minutes while you admire the fine dining offering and, if lucky, the wooden ‘cutlery’. If you’re a little closer to the pointy end, not so easy. Usually same ‘rock hard’ but often as a ‘roundel’ on a small crockery tray. Maybe try under the armpit (as suggest by an earlier contributor), for an interesting and different experience.

 

[Beano]

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.

USB fan is a solution. I have one but it is bulky, like a mini large fan in a cage. That siaid, the twmoeratyee is the same so you are relying on xhill factor!

 

[Beano]

☆That said, the temperature is the same so you are relying on chill factor (connective cooling as said previously).
In another vein, no power outlets beside the bed, then look behind the bed? You will have to pull it out.