16 astonishing secrets you should know about flying

Pilots dozing off, cabin air making you sick, missing life jackets under your seat, higher survival rates in the back seats… these are some of the aviation secrets few people know about.

Travel tips: Discover 16 astonishing secrets about flying

The Telegraph (UK) recently unveiled the biggest mysteries of air travel known mostly to insiders or the few informed.

Economy seats are often safer

Research generally shows that passengers at the front, in premium seating, face a higher risk of fatality in an accident compared to those seated at the rear or near emergency exits, who have a better chance of survival.

Airplane cabin air may cause illness

The issue of cabin air contamination by engine fumes is not a new problem.

Dozens of pilots have complained about being exposed to toxic fumes, experiencing dizziness and nausea, while airlines seem to largely ignore the issue.

In January 2016, a campaign was initiated to demand the installation of exhaust gas concentration meters on planes for timely intervention.

Airport staff consume confiscated alcohol from passengers

Jason Harrington, a former employee at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) between 2007 and 2013, disclosed to Politico that airport staff sometimes consume alcohol confiscated from passengers.

Emergency landings are more common than you think

You might assume emergency landings are rare, but as of October, Heathrow Airport statistics reveal an average of one emergency landing per week, with a total of 266 over the past five years.

Severe turbulence is rare

Severe turbulence encounters are uncommon. An airplane might fluctuate around 30 meters up or down when hitting strong turbulence, not the hundreds of meters often described by panicked passengers.

Pilots dozing off in the cockpit

A study by the British Airline Pilots Association showed nearly half of pilots have fallen asleep in the cockpit. Following this, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suggested changes to pilots' work schedules.

Lost luggage can be repurchased

Regulations state unclaimed luggage is stored at the airport for 90 days before being donated or auctioned for charity. But don’t expect to find treasures like gold or jewels. Items sold are mostly old clothes, bags, and miscellaneous electronics.

Your seat might be missing a life jacket

Aviation expert George Hobica notes that passengers often take life jackets as souvenirs, which can lead to fines if caught.

Crews typically inspect the aircraft at the start of the day. After multiple flights, attendants might miss stolen life jackets. Therefore, it’s wise to check for a life jacket under your seat and notify the crew if it’s missing.

Airplanes frequently get struck by lightning

According to Patrick Smith, a pilot and author of 'Cockpit Confidential,' airplanes can get struck by lightning more often than we might think.

On average, an airplane is hit by lightning once every two or three years. However, due to their design and outer shell, the electrical current from the lightning does not affect passengers and typically only causes minor external damage.

Free upgrades to premium seats

A 2015 survey by The Telegraph revealed that 60% of 3,000 respondents had been upgraded from economy to premium seats at no extra charge.

Each night before a flight, airlines compile a list of passengers eligible for seat upgrades, primarily focusing on loyal customers, business people, or celebrities, as a way to encourage continued use of their services through special treatment.

Surviving is possible even if all four engines fail

Pilot Patrick Smith explains that all four engines failing is a rare occurrence, potentially caused by fuel exhaustion, volcanic ash, or bird strikes. Yet, in most such scenarios, crews and passengers have a significant chance of survival with an emergency landing.

Opening an airplane door mid-flight is impossible

'The cabin pressure makes it impossible to open the door during a flight,' states pilot Patrick Smith.

Passengers are kept in the dark about airplane malfunctions

'We tell passengers only what they need to know,' reveals Jim Tilmon, a retired American pilot. 'We avoid alarming them unnecessarily, so announcements like 'Dear passengers, our plane has just experienced an engine failure' are never made, even if it's true.'

Airplane food's poor taste isn't without reason

Passenger taste and food quality are greatly influenced by the cabin's low humidity and air pressure. Airlines conduct taste tests of new menu items on flights to assess flavor alterations.

Planes are equipped with ashtrays

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that airplanes must have ashtrays as part of their minimum equipment list. This is to ensure safety, as smoking on planes is prohibited, but in case someone breaks the rule, it's safer to have ashtrays than risking a fire in the trash can.

The seemingly sleeping first-class passenger might actually be dead

An airline worker from the UK shared in a documentary the occurrence of deaths on flights, highlighting that it's not feasible to place a deceased person in the lavatory due to respect and safety concerns. Thus, the crew often seats the body in first class, subtly informing nearby passengers.

'Placing a deceased passenger in the restroom is disrespectful and impractical, as their body cannot be secured for landing,' said an airline employee. Consequently, dead passengers are typically placed in the first row of first class, with those seated close by being discreetly informed.

Source: Binh Minh/Tuoi Tre

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide