Airplanes are one of the safest means of transportation, but there are things to keep in mind to ensure the health and safety of yourself and your fellow passengers. Airlines and airline passengers will have to comply with many regulations.
ESTA Visas
UK Nationals can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System Travel Authorization) under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA allows eligible applicants to travel to or transit through the United States without having to apply for and go through a lengthy Visa application. An approved ESTA means the passport holder can enter the US for tourism or business purposes for a total of 90 days over a 2-year period. It is recommended that eligible applicants apply for ESTA at least 72 hours prior to their departure for the US. ESTA applications can be made on this website.
Prepare before you fly
Passengers need to be aware of all prohibited items prior to boarding. This rule may vary slightly by airline or destination.
When flying long distances, neck pillows, eye patches and earplugs will help passengers rest better. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, masks will also be an important accessory.
Travel comfort is also extremely important. Sitting for a long time in one position on an airplane or moving a lot at the airport can make your feet sore, you should choose shoes that feel comfortable, it is best to avoid high heels.
A flight attendant advises passengers to wear closed-toe shoes. Slippers are comfortable, but the plane is a breeding ground for bacteria, so wearing sandals or slippers and not wearing socks will increase your risk of exposure to germs. A pair of sneakers, flats or high-top boots would be more appropriate.
During the flight
Passengers need to fasten their seat belts properly and properly during the flight. Seat belts are not fastened, lying loose on the lap has no effect. The reason is that pilots can brake hard during take-off and landing, or when experiencing turbulence, passengers will hit their heads against the front seats or the ceiling of the plane.
According to Kaspersky.com, the most dangerous place to fly through turbulence is the toilet. This area is narrow and has many hard objects inside, which can even be fatal if hit with enough force. Therefore, as soon as the “Return to Seat” indicator flashes, passengers should promptly leave the restroom and return to their seats, fully wearing their seat belts.
Another point to note is to turn off or limit the use of electronic devices when boarding. The prohibition on the use of electronic devices in flight is to eliminate the possibility of interference with the electronic systems on board the aircraft.
Using electronic devices, especially for long-term recording (like some recent videos on TikTok), can overheat the battery, posing a fire risk.
Upon detecting fire or smelling smoke, passengers should immediately notify the flight crew and quickly get a fire extinguisher or try to put out the fire. Airplane fires are rare but extremely dangerous, so passengers should also have firefighting knowledge, according to the Express.
Besides, electronic devices are relatively hard and heavy objects. In the event of sudden braking or air turbulence, they can slip out of hand and injure other passengers.
Passengers should avoid alcohol to ensure the ability to control behavior in a limited space.
Dressing well when traveling is a must. However, do not wear clothes that are tight or too tight, but should wear comfortable clothes, wear many layers, enough to keep warm, especially for long-haul flights. If you are more sophisticated, you can change into nice clothes at the airport, after landing.