These eleven minutes are the most terrifying
The three minutes before takeoff and the eight minutes before landing are the most critical. It’s best to stay alert during these times, as studies show that 80% of plane crashes occur within these eleven minutes. Recommendation: Always follow the instructions and guidance of the flight crew.
Holding a child on your lap during a flight poses fatal risks
Sure, no one wants to spend extra money on a separate ticket for a child, especially since kids under two can fly for free. But life is not something you can put a price on. Would you hold your child on your lap while driving? The same logic applies on a plane.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration: “The safest way for a child to fly is in a government-approved child safety restraint system or device, not on an adult’s lap. Our arms cannot securely hold a child, especially during sudden turbulence.” In an emergency, a child can easily be thrown from your lap, injuring themselves and endangering other passengers. Recommendation: Prioritize safety and buy an extra seat.
Turbulence encounters may be getting worse
Feel like the plane is shaking violently? It’s not your imagination. Scientists say that by the Middle Ages, flights crossing the Atlantic will see a 10% to 40% increase in moderate to severe turbulence due to rising CO₂ levels. Recommendation: Keep your seatbelt fastened.
Planes are dirtier than you think
With increasingly tight flight schedules, there’s often not enough time to thoroughly clean the cabin before the next batch of passengers boards. Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces for days, turning planes into breeding grounds for bacteria. Watch out for the seatback pocket (where used tissues are often stored), the tray table (studies show 60% of tested tray tables carry the “superbug” MRSA), and the carpet (according to The Wall Street Journal, carpets are cleaned only every 5 to 30 days). Recommendation: Carry antibacterial wipes.
Pilots have fallen asleep during flights
Here’s a shocking statistic: studies show that between 43% and 54% of pilots in the U.S., Norway, and Switzerland have admitted to falling asleep during flights. Even more astonishing, one-third of those pilots woke up to find their co-pilot also asleep.
Some pilots earn barely enough to get by
We all hope that doctors, surgeons, and pilots are well-paid and happy, as they hold the lives of countless people in their hands. Unfortunately, many pilots earn very low salaries, especially those on regional flights. Pilots are paid based on flight hours (from takeoff to landing) and do not get compensated for airport arrival/departure time, pre-flight preparation, or delays.
Airlines overly skimp on fuel
To cut costs, airlines go to extreme lengths. According to Spanish safety researchers, some airlines intentionally carry less fuel than required to save money. This report primarily targets Ryanair’s cost-cutting measure of instructing pilots to slow down in order to conserve fuel.
In case of onboard fire, you only have 90 seconds to escape
It’s wise to know where the emergency exits are when flying. The FAA requires all planes to evacuate all passengers within 90 seconds because a fire can engulf the entire aircraft in a minute and a half. Recommendation: Wear cotton or non-synthetic clothing, as synthetic materials are flammable and can cause burns.
Sitting more than five rows from an exit puts you at risk
If a crash occurs, you’ll want to be within five rows of an exit. Data shows that passengers seated more than five rows from an exit have a significantly lower chance of surviving an emergency. One way to improve your odds: count how many rows you are from the nearest exit when boarding, so even if visibility is poor during an evacuation, you’ll know where to go.
You’re more likely to get injured during turbulence
Even if there’s no turbulence warning, it’s best to keep your seatbelt fastened. Here's why: turbulence is the leading cause of non-fatal aviation accidents. Most injuries happen when passengers aren’t wearing their seatbelts. Recommendation: Don’t leave your seat when the seatbelt sign is on, and always keep your seatbelt fastened while seated.