GOING on holiday somewhere sunny is always exciting – but the worst part is often the flight.
With more and more airlines charging extra for hand luggage, legroom and to select seats, the cost of getting to your destination is creeping up.
But there are still ways you can make a cheeky saving – and even blag a freebie.
Here Kamila Jakubjakova, a former cabin crew member for Emirates, reveals her insider tips – including a clever way of packing extra clothes without paying for another bag.
Fly on your birthday
While there apparently isn’t much leeway when it comes to getting a free upgrade, flying on your birthday will mean you're in with a better chance of being bumped up to business class.
“If the economy class is overbooked, they will have to move some passengers to business class, by default,” Kamila says.
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“That's the only case when you can actually get a free upgrade.
“It’s pretty random how it’s chosen – but if somebody has a birthday, they might get it!”
Get to the airport late
Most people obey the age-old rule of getting to the airport two hours before a flight to Europe or three hours for a transatlantic trip.
But you may be better off risking the queues and getting to the airport slightly nearer the departure time if you want a free upgrade.
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6“Sometimes, airlines oversell tickets and don’t expect everybody to show up,” explains Kamila.
“So if the flight is overbooked, and everyone shows up, they’ll have to move economy passengers into business class, and maybe the last passengers who come to check in for the flight will be chosen, as they’re the extra ones.”
Try and complain
While Kamila doesn’t want to encourage people to complain, she admits it can sometimes end up in you being served a fancier meal.
She explains: “Sometimes, if someone maybe didn't get their preferred meal choice and then complained and made a big fuss about it, we would bring them a meal from business class instead to soften the blow.”
But, she adds, it’s all dependent on the supervisor of the flight that day.
“Some supervisors will be more lenient,” she adds. “And some will be a little bit more like, 'Tough luck’.
“We would always try our best to get passengers their preferred meal choice, but sometimes it's just not possible.”
Say it’s your honeymoon
Everyone knows the rumours that saying it’s your honeymoon can get you upgrades and freebies – and Kamila confirms it’s true.
She says: “If I saw honeymooners, I would bring them some extra treats from business class – like, for example, a dessert or a glass of champagne, and try to make their flight more special, even if they're flying economy.
“So if somebody has a special occasion, make sure you tell the flight attendants.”
Bribe the cabin crew
Another way of blagging some freebies is by bringing in some goodies for the air hostesses – and we don’t mean cash.
“It always pays being nice to flight attendants,” says Kamila.
“If you bring some treats with you to the flight, for example, some candies or some chocolate, and offer them to us, then we will probably try to make your flight a little better or pay you back in some way.
“We are nice to everybody, but, of course, if you go the extra mile, we'll probably also go the extra mile in return.”
Stuff a pillowcase
One of the biggest issues with packing a suitcase is how much you’re allowed – especially with weight and size restrictions getting tighter.
Kamila suggests always carrying a pillow case, and stuffing it with all your extra belongings that won’t fit.
The best thing about it is it doesn’t count as a personal item, or towards any airline luggage allowances.
She says: “I was moving to a different country and there was a lot of stuff, so I really needed that extra little weight.
"So I just brought a pillowcase that was stuffed with clothes. And it's okay because nobody can deny you bringing the pillowcase.
“It’s a little extra space, but really made a difference – plus it’s comfortable to sleep on during the flight!”
Bring a reusable bottle
One very annoying thing about a flight is having to ask the flight attendants for water every five minutes, because they give you the tiniest cups.
But Kamila suggests getting around this by bringing a reusable water bottle – empty, so you can get it through security.
She says: “The first thing I do when I arrive on the plane is ask the cabin crew to fill up the bottle for me. That way I don't have to keep asking for a glass of water.
“It means you don't have to pay for overpriced bottles of water at the airport either!”
Pack a spare outfit
Airlines losing suitcases is not uncommon – and it’s even happened to Kamila.
She suggests always making sure you have a change of clothes in your hand luggage, in case this does happen to you.
She says: “I always make sure that my cabin bag has some kind of essentials at least, like some extra undies, socks, spare clothes – just the very basics.
“Although I actually prefer to just have a cabin bag as it saves you a lot of time, not waiting in the baggage claim.
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"I feel like that way you have more control, so nothing gets messed up during transfer."
Kamila is working with eDreams and can be found writing on her blog, Faraway Worlds.
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