Everything you should know before boarding a flight！ 8 things to do as soon as you get on a plane

▲Airplane schematic. (Photo / Darui Images)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Most people, when boarding a plane, will first find their seat and sit down comfortably until landing. But if you skip these steps, you might be putting your safety and health at risk.SMARTER TRAVELsuggests 8 things you should do as soon as you board, so you’re prepared and aware in case of emergencies.

1. Disinfect your surrounding area
Any public space is rarely completely clean, and airplanes are no exception. According to microbiologists, the average tray table in the front section of a plane has about 2,155 bacteria per square inch. Prepare some disinfectant wipes and clean your tray table, seat backrest, the TV screen in front of you, the remote control, armrests, and seatbelt—anything you might touch.

▲According to microbiologists, the average tray table in the front section of a plane has about 2,155 bacteria per square inch. (Photo / Darui / Schematic)

2. Adjust the air vent to avoid virus infection
Airplanes are enclosed spaces. If someone nearby is carrying an infectious disease, there’s a high chance you could catch it. Viruses such as SARS have even been known to spread beyond seven rows away.

One way to help is by directing the air from the vent above your head to blow away germs. Set it to low or medium, pointing it directly downward so you can feel airflow on your legs—that’s how you know it's working.

3. Count the number of rows to the emergency exit
In the event of a rapid descent or emergency landing, you may only have about 90 seconds to evacuate a burning aircraft, possibly navigating through a dark, smoke-filled cabin to find the exit. Knowing how many rows you are from the exit can help you escape more easily and increase your chances of survival.

▲Count how many rows you are from the emergency exit so you can escape more easily in a crisis. (Photo / Darui / Schematic)

4. Check your life vest
Although flight crews check all necessary items at each seat before every flight, they sometimes don’t inspect them between tightly scheduled flights. Unfortunately, some dishonest individuals may steal life vests, so once on board, make sure your life vest is present—especially if the flight crosses oceans.

5. Flight comfort
After confirming health and safety factors, it’s time to enhance your in-flight comfort. Before stowing your carry-on in the overhead bin, take out items like an eye mask, headphones, neck pillow, and face mask, and place them under the seat in front of you for easy access when needed.

▲Once safety and health concerns are addressed, focus on improving your comfort during the flight. (Photo / Darui / Schematic)

6. Put on your headphones
Putting on headphones is essentially a signal to those around you: “Don’t disturb, I want to rest.” Even if you’re not listening to music, it communicates that you’re not in the mood to talk.

7. Chew gum
This isn’t about looking cool—it’s practical. Some people with sensitive ears experience pain during takeoff and landing. Chewing gum before boarding can help relieve ear pressure caused by altitude changes, making you feel more comfortable, and it also freshens your breath upon landing.

8. Make sure the TV in front of you is working
Especially on long-haul flights, a broken screen in front of you can be extremely frustrating. If the TV isn’t functioning, flight attendants may move you to another seat, allowing you to enjoy in-flight entertainment during the long journey.