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 displaying what they think about to be a serious 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.”

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

And if you happen to ask the consultants, they’re on the aspect 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, advised 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 you could ask a gate agent earlier than boarding if you happen to can transfer seats (particularly, a window or aisle or one with much less folks).

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

And if you happen to paid the identical fare? 

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

Each flight attendants be aware, nonetheless, that ready till the final second to board may trigger pointless stress for the workers.

“Airline workers comply with a strict schedule for boarding, so it is essential 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 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, you might lose your reservation solely and can have to be rebooked on the following accessible flight, although availability is not assured as a result of 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. After getting your assigned seat, persist with it.