No, That TikTok Boarding Hack Will not Assure You a Higher Seat — Here is What Flight Attendants Needed to Say

A flight boarding tip that is made its approach round social media is being debunked by flight attendants.

Touted as a hack on TikTok, vacationers have been exhibiting what they take into account to be a significant in-air perk by ready til the final minute to board their flights.

“You possibly can sit in any open row you see accessible with out going to your seat first,” one TikTok consumer wrote, whereas one other touring couple agreed, “that approach if that they had you sitting subsequent to somebody earlier than … now you possibly can select any open seat if the flights [sic] not full.”

Nonetheless, commenters had been fast to reply explaining that boarding final most probably leaves you with no overhead bin area and that, typically, flights are too packed to even have the choice of a distinct seat.

And in case you ask the specialists, they’re on the facet of the commenters.

“I strongly suggest asking your cabin crew for permission earlier than taking an empty seat,” Crystal Romo, a flight attendant who has been working for a mainline provider for 5 years, informed Journey + Leisure. “We dislike it very a lot when passengers transfer to open exit row seats with out chatting with the crew.”

Romo additionally famous that sure choices, just like the exit row seats require a security briefing and are thought of an improve.

Jasmine Khadija, a flight attendant with two years of expertise, agreed with Romo and famous which you could ask a gate agent earlier than boarding in case you can transfer seats (particularly, a window or aisle or one with much less folks).

As soon as on the aircraft, she defined that flight attendants don’t have possession over seats however can provide the go forward for a transfer to an unoccupied seat — but it surely typically needs to be the identical cabin class.

And in case you paid the identical fare? 

“As soon as on the aircraft, you possibly can ask the crew if any rows can be found so that you can sit alone — it is often superb,” she informed T+L.

Each flight attendants observe, nevertheless, that ready till the final second to board also can trigger pointless stress for the workers.

“Airline workers comply with a strict schedule for boarding, so it is necessary to be on time no matter your seat,” Khadija stated.

“The boarding door closes quarter-hour earlier than departure, and after that time, boarding is now not allowed,” emphasised Romo. “Brokers will likely be on the jet bridge finishing the ultimate boarding procedures, so they will not be on the gate. If this occurs, chances are you’ll lose your reservation totally and can must be rebooked on the subsequent accessible flight, although availability is not assured attributable to full bookings.”

In different phrases? Higher skip this tip and simply ask the gate agent if you wish to transfer your seat and see if there’s one other accessible. Upon getting your assigned seat, persist with it.