Category: airplane

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10 Ways To Avoid Germs on Your Next Flight

While the current pandemic has left most people burrowed indoors in order to maintain social distancing, others have to spread their wings and take flight.

Whether it is for business or for a much-needed vacation, it’s important to consider your health and safety the next time you travel.

Here are 10 ways to avoid germs on your next flight so you can boost your chances of arriving to your destination in good health.

1. Use online check-in

Keep your face-to-face interactions to a minimum by utilizing the online check-in option.

This feature allows passengers to check-in up to 24 hours before a flight departs. At the same time, it helps you steer clear of germs on the self-service kiosks at airports.

Photo Credit: Pexels

2. Disinfect high-touch surfaces at your seat

Airlines may have upped their cleaning game, but it’s easy to miss a spot or two. And in that case, you could expose yourself to germs.

Take the time to disinfect high-touch surfaces such as the armrest, tray table, seatbelt buckle, and screen controls. You never know what has been left behind by a previous passenger.

3. Pick a window seat

Did you know that where you sit on the plane could influence your exposure to germs?

With some airlines leaving middle seats empty in wake of the coronavirus pandemic, that gives you two seat options. A window seat is your safest bet because it gets exposed to the fewest people during an average flight.

4. Don’t forget sanitizer and wipes

You can never have too much hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.

These items are especially essential when traveling given your exposure to many people and surfaces.

You can bring bottles of hand sanitizer that measure 12 ounces or less as a carry-on in the United States.

Photo Credit: Pexels

5. Make cashless transactions

Our money can be a festering ground for germs.

Instead of relying on cash at Starbucks or wherever else you prefer to purchase your pre-flight snacks, opt for the cashless method to reduce the chances of contamination.

6. Try not to touch your face

Did you know that one behavioral study from 2015 revealed that a person touches his or her face about 23 times per hour?

You definitely don’t want to do that at an airport or on a plane considering how much exposure you have to germs by touching public surfaces.

7. Keep items stored inside your bag at security checkpoints

Most people throw their personal items into the plastic bins at security checkpoints. Don’t follow that trend.

Instead, keep your phone, wallet, and other items inside your bag to prevent exposing them to germs.

Photo Credit: Pexels

8. Turn on the overhead air vent

This may seem simple, but turning on the overhead air vent can provide an extra layer of protection against germs and viruses.

How does this happen?

An airplane’s filtration system can neutralize potentially harmful particles and keep you safe.

9. Avoid crowds

Do you seriously need a lesson in what social distancing means?

Maintain a six-foot gap between people in security checkpoint lines or luggage pick-up areas.

You may even want to board last so you don’t have to be stuck waiting in the walkway with a bunch of other passengers.

10. Wear a face mask

This should be a standard no matter if you’re traveling abroad or taking a trip to your local grocery story.

Wear a mask not only for your own protection but for everyone else’s, too.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Have you traveled on an airplane since the COVID-19 pandemic hit?

What changes did you make to your traveling routine?

Tell us your experience in the comments below!

The post 10 Ways To Avoid Germs on Your Next Flight appeared first on UberFacts.

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A Woman Was Stung by a Scorpion on a United Airlines Flight

Oh great, can’t wait to fly during the holidays!

A woman was stung “multiple times” by a scorpion while on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Atlanta. The passenger felt a stinging sensation on her leg during the flight, and when she went to the toilet, a frickin’ scorpion fell out of her pants and crawled away.

Horrifying, we know.

The woman spoke to TMZ about her experience, and even shared a photo of the creature. Her name has not been released.

United Airlines said in a statement to USA Today that the plane crew “responded immediately” to the incident.

“After learning that one of our customers on flight 1554 from San Francisco to Atlanta was stung during flight, our crew responded immediately and consulted with a MedLink physician on the ground who provided medical guidance,” the airline said.

“The customer was transported to a local hospital. We have been in contact with our customer to ensure her well-being.”

While it’s great that the passenger is okay, the airline didn’t explain how the hell a scorpion got onto the flight in the first place.

Photo Credit: iStock

Even more horrifyingly, this isn’t the first time that this has happened on a United Airlines flight. A scorpion also stung a man on yet another flight with the same airline in 2017 (was someone on both of those flights? Is there a person bringing scorpions with them when they fly and just letting them go???)

A second airline, EasyJet, had to delay a flight after a scorpion was found onboard in 2017.

The post A Woman Was Stung by a Scorpion on a United Airlines Flight appeared first on UberFacts.

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A Guy Got Punished for Trying to Sneak a Fat Cat on a Plane

People can legally bring animals on flights. Some airlines allow you to fly with your pet, either in the cabin or as checked baggage. All airlines are required to allow service animals to fly with their disabled humans.

But in all circumstances, there are specific rules that apply, for the safety of you, your pet, and the other passengers and crew. Rules that Mikhail Galin did not consider or give a flying flip about when he decided to try to sneak his cat (who was over the kitty weight limit) on board.

Posted by Mikhail Galin on Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The saga began when Aeroflot, a Russian-based airline, refused to let Galin’s cat, Viktor, fly home with him the cabin. Galin was worried about putting his little buddy in the cargo hold, though, because he knows that Viktor gets nervous in unfamiliar settings and also that the pressure changes are hard for him.

So, instead of taking no for an answer, Galin took to social media in search of a cat who looked like Viktor, except skinnier.

Once the perfect match was found, Galin checked in with the skinnier cat, then simply traded it back for Viktor to a friend who took the littler guy (or gal) home (where can only assume he had a treat and then got on his kitty treadmill).

Galin and Viktor boarded the flight without issue, but he was busted by airport surveillance footage, which showed him swapping the cats.

The old switcheroo was caught, and for Galin (and Viktor), the jig was up.

As a penalty, the airline stripped Galin of his frequent flyer status and removed his 400,000 saved miles.

Ouch.

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Тигр! #викторthecat

A post shared by Mikhail Galin (@mikhail_galin) on

But I mean, he seems to really love his cat, so I’m guessing it’s a small price to pay.

Next time, though, maybe just hire a pet sitter.

The post A Guy Got Punished for Trying to Sneak a Fat Cat on a Plane appeared first on UberFacts.

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15 Funny Tweets About Flying on Planes

Traveling by plane is obviously incredible, and we shouldn’t complain about it at all, but you know we’re going to anyway!

When you’re flying through the air inside a metal tin at 35,000 feet with 150 strangers, there’s a pretty good chance that someone is going to get on your nerves. And sometimes, you just have funny experiences on those flights.

Enjoy these funny tweets about flying, and I’ll see you at the back of the plane in the basic economy section.

1. She was very surprised.

2. Gee, thanks a lot.

3. Sounds pretty fishy to me.

4. Thank you, sir!

5. I don’t think that’s why they’re looking at you…

6. But I want it…

7. Creep alert!

8. At least he (kind of) laughed about it.

9. Needed the calculator for that one.

10. She had to do it.

11. Very specific tastes.

12. Snakes on a plane.

13. Should be a quiet flight.

14. Like a stink bomb.

15. Let’s watch it together!

Do you have any good/hilarious/ridiculous plane stories?

Share them in the comments so we can all have a laugh together!

The post 15 Funny Tweets About Flying on Planes appeared first on UberFacts.

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An Airline Now Features a Booking System That Shows Where All Babies Are Seated on Its Flights

I don’t get super frustrated and freak out when a baby by me is crying hysterically on a plane. That’s why you always bring earplugs AND headphones when you travel, so you don’t really have to hear anything at all except the music you’re listening to. (Pro tip: this means you also don’t have to talk to anyone, which is always nice).

But let’s get to the point of the story. Some people really do get upset about screaming, fussy kids on their flights. So leave it to the innovative Japanese to come up with this idea.

Japan Airlines unveiled a booking system that allows customers to see exactly where babies are seated on flights. Genius!

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Spot the difference on this particular seating chart. @japanairlines_jal and Korean Air are now showing where infants are sitting so you can choose your seat accordingly ?. . . Whats your take on this, is this a helpful perk, parent shamer? Or do you think they’re going to charge more for seats in the long run.. “bidding for seats, far away from babies” . . —- #fatmentravelling #bigandtallfashion #plussizemenswear #instago #instavacation #menofsize #passportready #travelblogger #fatgirlstraveling #travelblog #babyonboard #babyonflight #travelhustler #travelisthenewclub #flyfluffyandfabolous #bearsofinstagram #cubsofinstagram #pointsandmiles #travelholic #bigguys #fatgirlstraveling #bodyposivity #plussizetravel #fatgirlstraveltoo #instatravel @british_airways @lufthansa @virginatlantic @easyjet @ryanair @thomascookairlinesuk #travelnoire #effyourbeautystandards #baby #iamsizesexy #travelgoals2018 @bbc_travel @theellenshow @travelnoire @holidaypirates @travel_con @blacktraveljourney @travelandleisure @travelchannel

A post shared by Plus Size Men ?✈ (@fatmentravelling) on

Once you’ve booked a flight on Japan Airlines and it’s time to check in, you’ll see a seating chart of the plane with baby icons showing where little ones are seated on that particular flight. The airline’s website says: “Passengers traveling with children between eight days and two years old who select their seats on the JAL website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen. This lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there.”

That means you need to select your seats as early as possible to avoid sitting next to screaming, puking children, if that kind of thing bothers you.

One other thing to keep in mind: sometimes the baby icon might not appear on seating charts. Examples include if a block of seats is booked for a tour or with award tickets, if tickets were selected in places other than the Japan Airlines website, or if for some reason the aircraft was changed at the last minute.

Still, that’s progress, right?

I have a feeling this feature will become very popular and other airlines will start doing this and they’ll make it even more streamlined. Hooray for innovation!

And remember: don’t forget your earplugs and headphones.

The post An Airline Now Features a Booking System That Shows Where All Babies Are Seated on Its Flights appeared first on UberFacts.

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A Man Checked a Single Can of Beer After an Airline Wouldn’t Let Him Board with It

Doesn’t it seem like air travel keeps getting more and more strict? From beating up doctors to killing adorable, giant rabbits, they’ve been total dicks lately.  The latest incident? Refusing to let a gentleman bring his beer onto the plane with him.

Photo Credit: Dean

Passenger Dean Stinson was on his way to Perth, Australia via Qantas Flight QF777 when was told he couldn’t bring his can of Emu Export lager, so he hatched a rather hilarious plan: he checked his beer as luggage!

Photo Credit: Dean

According to News AU:

The beer was tagged and sent off to be loaded onto the plane with the rest of the baggage, which the Melbourne ground staff happily did — but not until they had snapped a few pictures of the unusual check-in item.

Incredibly, the beer actually made it to its destination and apparently was the first thing to come out at the baggage claim – proving that the baggage handles at Perth clearly have a great sense of humor.

Photo Credit: Dean

Sure, it might be all shaken up and skunked from the changes in pressure and temperature that it undoubtedly experienced in the cargo bay, but it’s the principle of the matter. This hero of a man stared the tyranny of modern air travel right in the eye and literally said, “Hold my beer.”

Absolute legend.

The post A Man Checked a Single Can of Beer After an Airline Wouldn’t Let Him Board with It appeared first on UberFacts.

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When the Airline Wouldn’t Let Him Board with It, This Australian Man Checked a Single Can of Beer as Luggage

Air travel has gotten pretty rough over the years, and they’ve really taken a beating (or given one, rather) in the way they treat customers. Let’s just call a spade a spade, y’all: They’re dicks.

But out of the frustrated masses, every so often a hero emerges to light the way forward. The latest incident? Refusing to let a gentleman bring his beer onto the plane with him.

Photo Credit: Dean

Passenger Dean Stinson was on his way to Perth, Australia via Qantas Flight QF777 when was told he couldn’t bring his can of Emu Export lager, so he hatched a rather hilarious plan: he checked his beer as luggage!

Photo Credit: Dean

According to News AU:

The beer was tagged and sent off to be loaded onto the plane with the rest of the baggage, which the Melbourne ground staff happily did — but not until they had snapped a few pictures of the unusual check-in item.

Incredibly, the beer actually made it to its destination and apparently was the first thing to come out at the baggage claim – proving that the baggage handles at Perth clearly have a great sense of humor.

Photo Credit: Dean

Sure, it might be all shaken up and skunked from the changes in pressure and temperature that it undoubtedly experienced in the cargo bay, but it’s the principle of the matter. This hero of a man stared the tyranny of modern air travel right in the eye and literally said, “Hold my beer.”

Absolute legend.

The post When the Airline Wouldn’t Let Him Board with It, This Australian Man Checked a Single Can of Beer as Luggage appeared first on UberFacts.