Most people think the window seat is the best spot on the plane. You get a view, a wall to lean on, and a little corner to call your own for a few hours. But flight attendants — the people who spend more time on planes than almost anyone else — have a very different take. It turns out there are several common habits passengers have that cabin crew members would never do themselves. Some of these might genuinely surprise you.
The airplane window is way dirtier than it looks
Think about how many flights a single plane makes in one day. Now think about how many passengers sit in that window seat each time. Every single one of those people has the same idea — lean your head against the glass and get some sleep. That means dozens of faces, foreheads, and hair press against that same small patch of plastic every single day. It sounds obvious when you put it that way, but most of us never really stop to think about it.
A flight attendant named Tommy Cimato put it bluntly in a TikTok video. He said passengers are not the only ones who have leaned on that window. He pointed out that countless people and children have wiped their hands — or worse — all over the glass. Nobody really knows how often those windows get a proper cleaning. Airlines do wipe down planes between flights, but a deep clean is not happening every time. So pressing your face against that surface is basically pressing your face against a mystery.
Planes don’t get deep-cleaned as often as expected
Here’s something that might change how you feel about your seat. Between flights, cleaning crews come on board for a quick turnaround. They pick up trash, maybe wipe down tray tables, and make things look presentable. But a real, thorough scrub-down? That only happens during overnight stops or scheduled maintenance. During busy travel days, a plane might fly four or five routes back to back. That quick tidy-up in between is not covering every surface.
One commenter on Tommy’s viral video put it well. They noted that crews wipe down the plane at stops but can’t deep-clean a 130-foot aircraft at every single one. That’s a lot of surfaces being touched by a lot of people with very little cleaning in between. Some passengers have started carrying their own disinfecting wipes and spraying down their entire row before sitting. It might seem like overkill, but knowing how little gets cleaned, it starts to make a lot of sense.
Wearing shorts on a plane is a bad idea
Most people dress for comfort when flying. Shorts, sandals, a t-shirt — it feels like the obvious choice, especially during summer travel. But Tommy shared another tip that gave a lot of people pause. He said passengers should try not to wear shorts on a flight. The reason is the same logic behind avoiding the window. Those seats have had thousands of people sitting in them. Bare skin on a surface that rarely gets deep-cleaned is not ideal.
He explained that wearing pants instead of shorts means less direct contact with whatever germs are hanging around on those fabric seats. It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being practical. Nobody wants to think about what’s been left behind on an airplane seat, but flight attendants see it every day. If the people who work on planes choose to cover up, it’s probably worth considering. Jeans, leggings, or even lightweight travel pants can do the trick without sacrificing comfort.
Never touch the bathroom flush button with bare hands
Airplane bathrooms are already tiny and not exactly pleasant. But have you ever thought about that flush button? Every single person who uses that bathroom touches it. And the bathroom on a plane gets a lot of traffic, especially on longer flights. Tommy specifically called out the flush button as one of the germiest spots on the entire aircraft. He called it “super unsanitary” and “pretty gross,” which coming from a flight attendant, carries some weight.
His advice is simple. Use a napkin or a piece of tissue to press the flush button. It takes two seconds and keeps your hands away from one of the most-touched surfaces on the plane. Most airplane bathrooms have paper towels or tissues available, so there’s no excuse. This is one of those small habits that makes a real difference. It might feel a little dramatic in the moment, but once you start thinking about how many people touch that button every flight, you’ll never go back.
Staying hydrated matters more than most passengers realize
Airplane cabins have very low humidity. The recycled air inside the cabin dries everything out — skin, throat, nasal passages, all of it. Most passengers don’t drink nearly enough water during a flight. They grab a coffee, maybe a soda from the beverage cart, and call it a day. But Tommy recommends drinking about 16 ounces of water for every flight. That’s roughly the size of a standard water bottle, which is very doable.
Dehydration on a plane can sneak up on people quickly. It can make you feel tired, give you a headache, and generally make the whole experience worse than it needs to be. Bringing an empty reusable bottle through security and filling it up at a water fountain before boarding is a simple way to stay on top of it. Brands like Hydro Flask or Nalgene make bottles that are easy to carry and hold plenty of water. It’s a small step that makes a noticeable difference during and after any flight.
Tell flight attendants when you’re not feeling well
A lot of passengers feel embarrassed about asking for help mid-flight. Maybe they’re feeling nauseous, dizzy, or just off. The instinct is to tough it out, close your eyes, and hope it passes. But Tommy made it clear — flight attendants want to know. They’re trained to help, and they’d much rather step in early than deal with a bigger problem later. It’s literally part of their job, and they don’t mind one bit.
He said if you need food, water, or an air-sickness bag, just let them know. There’s nothing awkward about it. Flight attendants deal with sick passengers on a regular basis, and they have supplies on board for exactly these situations. Waiting too long can make things worse — for the passenger and for everyone sitting nearby. A quick press of the call button can save a lot of discomfort. Don’t sit in silence if something doesn’t feel right.
Pre-booking seats is worth the extra cost
Most airlines now charge extra for seat selection. It can feel annoying to pay more on top of an already expensive ticket. But picking your seat ahead of time has real benefits. It means you’re not stuck in the middle, separated from travel companions, or crammed into a spot that makes the flight miserable. Airlines like Delta, United, and American all let you select seats online during booking. Some budget carriers like Spirit charge for everything, but even then, the few extra dollars can be worth it.
Choosing wisely means knowing what trade-offs each spot brings. The aisle seat gives easy bathroom access. The window seat offers a view and a wall — but now you know that wall comes with a catch. The middle seat is nobody’s first choice, but at least both armrests are unofficially yours. Families traveling together should always try to book in advance. Getting separated on a plane with young kids is stressful for everyone, including the strangers sitting between them.
Bringing your own cleaning supplies is not overreacting
A few years ago, wiping down your entire row with disinfecting wipes might have gotten some funny looks. Not anymore. More and more passengers are bringing Clorox wipes or similar products on board and giving their tray table, armrests, seat belt buckle, and yes, the window, a good scrub. One commenter on Tommy’s video said people used to laugh at her family for doing exactly this. Now it’s becoming one of the most common things frequent flyers do.
Another person said they spray everything down “like they’re cleaning a bathroom” before sitting. And honestly, that’s not a bad approach. Tray tables in particular are notoriously dirty — they’ve been used as changing tables, dinner tables, and armrests all in the same day. A small pack of disinfecting wipes takes up almost no room in a carry-on and can make a real difference. It takes about 30 seconds to wipe down the main surfaces, and that’s a trade-off anyone should be willing to make.
Raw-dogging a flight is the latest bizarre travel trend
Speaking of things flight attendants have opinions about — have you heard of raw-dogging a flight? It’s a trend that’s blown up on social media, and it’s exactly as strange as it sounds. The idea is to board a long-haul flight with absolutely nothing to keep you occupied. No movies, no music, no books, no phone. Some people even skip food and water. They just sit there, stare at the flight map, and let the hours tick by. It sounds like a punishment, but people are doing it on purpose.
While some see it as a mental endurance test, flight attendants like Tommy would strongly disagree with at least part of it. Skipping water on a long flight is a bad move no matter how you look at it. Cabin air is dry, and going without water for hours isn’t impressive — it’s just uncomfortable. If the idea of sitting in silence for six hours appeals to you, more power to you. But at least bring a water bottle and keep yourself from getting dehydrated in the process.
Flying is one of those things almost everyone does but few people think critically about. The tips from cabin crew like Tommy aren’t meant to scare anyone — they’re meant to make the experience a little better and a lot less gross. A travel-size pack of wipes, a full water bottle, long pants, and a tissue for the bathroom flush button are all it takes. Small changes like these add up, and once you know what flight attendants know, it’s hard to go back to old habits.
