Are red-eye flights more prone to delays? Airline ground staff share "6 things to do before your flight"

▲ Boarding procedures at Taoyuan International Airport. (Illustration / Photo by reporter Ji Xiangru)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When it comes to flying, besides pilots and flight attendants, ground staff know the airline's internal operations best, have access to passenger information, and can even decide which passengers get upgraded.Foreign mediarecently interviewed airline ticket agents and airport customer service departments, compiling a list of 6 things you can do before an international flight to help make your next journey smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Be humble and sweet-talked
They say you catch more flies with honey—and the same goes for dealing with ground staff. When you encounter an issue and need help, approaching them with a humble and polite attitude makes it harder for them to say no. If you're lucky, they might even upgrade you for free.

2. Red-eye flights are more prone to delays
Former customer service ground agent Travis O'Neal says that the later the flight, the more likely it is to be delayed.

3. Join an airline co-branded credit card membership
Signing up for an airline co-branded credit card gives you free access to airport VIP lounges and often earns you extra miles.

4. Volunteer to take the next flight when needed
If your flight is overbooked and you're not in a rush, consider volunteering to take the next one. Airlines usually offer compensation in the form of meal vouchers, hotel stays, and if you're lucky, you might even get bumped up to first class.

▲ Bringing your own bottle is the way to go—refill it in the waiting area after clearing customs. (Illustration / Photo by reporter Ji Xiangru)

5. Carry an empty water bottle
For environmental and cost-saving reasons, bringing your own bottle is the best option. Refill it in the waiting area after clearing customs.

6. Join a frequent flyer program
A retired ground staff member with 17 years of experience says there are almost no free or discounted upgrades—the best approach is to join an airline’s frequent flyer program.