🛫 10 main safety rules for air travel

According to a study by The Economist magazine and sociologists from YouGov, 40% of people experience discomfort when flying, and 15% are downright afraid of flying. When sinking into a seat on board an airplane, there are no worse companions than thinking about the tragedy of 9/11 or the disappearance of the Malaysian airliner in 2014.

“Calm, just calm!” – as Mr. Carlson, a great expert in flying, said (and for the peace of mind of those who are flying for the first time, we have prepared a special guide). Right now, there are thousands of planes in the skies above us, carrying millions of people. The safest form of transport, which is airplanes, will deliver passengers to their destination safe and sound. Of course, provided that professionals are not only behind the wheel, but also on board. And now we are talking about you. Each passenger, through his behavior, contributes to flight safety, protecting not only himself, but also others. We tell and explain how.

Turn off electronic devices during takeoff and landing

Among the entire list of rules, only this is (for now) justified by theory and not by practice.

Every time the crew asks to put electronic devices into flight mode, I notice passengers nearby who think that this does not concern them. In fact, a survey by Allianz Travel Insurance showed that 17.2% of passengers never bother turning off their devices.

On the one hand, there have never been any airliner crashes in history due to interference caused by passenger electronics. And the airlines themselves are actively developing on-board Internet service (here is a list of those who do it best). But on the other hand, this does not mean that the risk is zero; potential danger, according to Boeing experts, exists.

The insistent request to turn off gadgets is due to the fact that they can interfere with the aircraft’s avionics and even airport ground services. The maximum number of programs and electronics are used during takeoff and landing of the aircraft. This is when airliners become most vulnerable. Particularly dangerous for aircraft are 5G networks, which can disrupt the operation of the radio altimeter. Pilots rely on this device when taking off and landing in poor visibility conditions. They also rely on your consciousness – that’s why we turn off the devices.

The seat backs are in the standard position, the windows are open

This requirement from flight attendants accompanies every takeoff and landing. Don't think that the stewards just want to prevent you from resting in the legal 40 centimeters of space.

First, about the backs of chairs and folding tables. In the event of an accident on board, you, as well as the passengers sitting behind you, must be able to quickly and unimpededly leave the aircraft. This gives rise to the requirement to bring the chair to its original position, lifting it from the knees of the person sitting behind.

Now about the portholes. You are offered to observe not only beautiful views of your native land, but also the condition of the airliner: the wing, the engine, the skin – there are many interesting details that should remain with the plane until the end of the flight. Mainly, of course, this is the business of the flight attendants. But the instinct of self-preservation will make you sound the alarm if you suddenly see problems with equipment.

They also ask you to open the windows so that your eyes get used to natural light. Therefore, at night, when taking off and landing on an airplane, the lights are turned off. Do you want more comfort during your flight and are wondering which seat to choose? We will tell you in our publication.

Don't get up from your chair again

And, of course, be wearing your seat belt. Pilots do not always see the turbulence zone. Sometimes it comes to us as suddenly as the end of a long-awaited vacation.

Most often, turbulence is a slight shaking. It’s worse when it doesn’t allow a person walking down the aisle to stand straight on their feet. And I don’t want anyone to get into such turbulence that shakes the plane like broccoli in a blender, forcing even the luggage compartments to open.

No, it is not dangerous for the plane. But a passenger can be injured from a fall or from luggage falling on him. In the most flying country in the world, the United States, from 2009 to 2023, 163 turbulence incidents were recorded that led to serious injuries to passengers.

By the way, a fresh reason to buckle up on board is the crash of the long-suffering Boeing 737 Max 9 of Aliaska Airlines on January 6, 2024. During the flight, part of the plane’s hull simply fell off and a woman was literally sucked into the resulting hole the size of a refrigerator. Fortunately, there was only one scare. But it is seat belts that can save you from repeating the fate of depressurization.

When checking in, review the list of acceptable items in your carry-on baggage.

This time you are unlikely to be able to harm flight safety even if you want to. At the security control, everything prohibited will be found and confiscated. So your preventive measures will simply save you from unnecessary expenses and losses. If you are bringing a pet with you in the cabin, read the advice of experienced travelers on how to do it correctly.

You cannot take on board piercing or cutting objects, weapons, flammable and explosive substances (including pyrotechnics), toxic and radioactive materials, peroxides, and poisonous substances.

Let’s take a special look at the traveler’s indispensable companion—the power bank. They can only be taken in hand luggage; they cannot be checked in as luggage. However, like any device with lithium batteries. They must be under the control of the passenger and flight attendants.

In addition, some chargers have no place on board: most airlines allow power banks with a capacity of up to 100 Wh (27,000 milliamps/hour) on board. Examine your device for relevant information. If its power is greater or is not indicated at all, problems may arise and the power bank will remain with the airport security service.

By the way, among the funny restrictions: some airlines flying from the Candidate countries separately warn about the inadmissibility of having a jar of surströming – rotten Swedish herring – in the cabin. Its depressurization can cause a true chemical attack.

Take your medications on board

It is a common mistake among travelers to send pills with their luggage, relying on the fact that the plane is no less than a flying pharmacy. In fact, even reputable carriers most often have an extremely meager first aid kit. In which there is hardly room for anything more serious than aspirin and iodine. Therefore, the salvation of the sick is the work of the sick themselves. Especially on long flights.

A separate problem is water. It is needed not only for people with chronic diseases, but also for any passenger. Especially on low-cost airlines, where you can’t just interrogate her. Please note that most airports only allow liquids up to 100ml. Need more? You'll have to buy it at Duty Free. Please note that this restriction does not apply to empty containers.

The good news is that airports are gradually being modernized, and in some of them new control systems allow passengers to take on larger amounts. For example, from 2023, Helsinki Airport allows you to carry up to two liters of liquid on board.

In an emergency, forget about your luggage

There is no way to avoid this most unpleasant topic. What to do if an accident occurred on your flight? The answer is simple: nothing other than what the aircraft crew clearly asks for. He knows the algorithms of behavior for various emergency situations and is trained not to panic.

The worst thing happens when the plane reaches the ground, the passengers are one step away from safety, but contrary to the demands of the crew, they save not only themselves, but also their belongings. If there is a fire or smoke on board, then every second counts. And the next passenger behind you may not have enough. So forget about hand luggage on the shelves. You can restore your passport, but your life cannot.

The story of the SSJ-100, which burned down at Sheremetyevo Airport in 2019, should sober up the zealous passenger. According to one version, the reason for the death of 41 passengers was that many tried to get their luggage from the shelves, interfering with the evacuation.

But to inspire is another story. All 379 people survived the Airbus A350 crash in Tokyo on January 2, 2024. One of the factors was that passengers showed discipline en masse, strictly followed the crew’s requirements and did not take luggage from the shelves. Let's take an example.

What if you are flying with children?

For children, a new type of transport soaring in the skies is an adventure. Children know no fear in their persistent exploration of the plane. And the parents relax: where will the child get off the airliner? In fact, airlines strongly recommend following these tips when traveling with children:

• Small children should not be allowed to roam freely around the cabin alone or run around. Explain to your child that an airplane is not a playground. A child running in the aisle not only disturbs flight attendants and other passengers, but can also be seriously injured in sudden turbulence;
• Sitting in one place for a long time is apparently difficult. Therefore, take care of the entertainment in advance. Take your child’s favorite toys, coloring books or books;
• if you are flying with an infant, ask for a special additional belt to secure the baby, so he will be safe;
• on flights where seating is in random order, it is better to pay extra for choosing a seat in order to be next to your child; no one is obliged to give way to you, and therein lies the risk of conflicts.

Book your dream flights with reliable operators. This way, you can take the unnecessary stress out of planning your trip. Have a calm flight and soft landing!