Surprising Items and Help You Can Actually Ask Flight Attendants For

Flight attendants can provide passengers with surprising items and assistance during a flight, ranging from ice packs and band-aids to help with tight connecting flights, according to veteran flight attendant Sille Rydell.

Rydell, who has worked in the aviation industry for six years and shares travel tips online under the handle Travel with SilleRydell, encourages passengers not to hesitate to ask crew members for what they need. Speaking in a viral video, she noted that flight crews are often prepared with unexpected solutions for common travel discomforts.

Practical Items and Medical Relief

Among the lesser-known items passengers can request are ice packs for swollen feet or headaches, as well as adhesive bandages for blisters caused by long walks between terminal gates. Rydell also highlighted that some airlines stock over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol, to help passengers dealing with sudden aches.

Passengers needing assistance navigating a busy airport to reach a tight connecting gate can also turn to the cabin crew. While it is best to arrange airport mobility assistance in advance, flight attendants can coordinate with ground staff to help passengers make their connections if they face mobility challenges or extreme distances.

Hygiene and Comfort Essentials

Regarding personal hygiene products, Rydell dispelled the misconception that pads or tampons are routinely stocked inside lavatory drawers for passengers to find independently. Instead, travelers should ask the crew directly, as staff members may be able to assist or provide supplies from their own stock.

The list of available items also includes hot water for personal tea bags or instant meals, empty bags for motion sickness requested proactively, earplugs for added quiet, extra drinking water, water bottle refills, and disinfecting wipes.