A Flight Attendant Warns About the In-Flight Habit Passengers Should Avoid: “It’s Dangerous”

With the summer travel season just around the corner, more experts and aviation insiders are speaking up about how to make flying a safer and more comfortable experience. One habit in particular has been flagged as something passengers do without a second thought, yet it can carry real health consequences. Flight attendant Barbiebac La Azafata has been making waves online with her straightforward warnings about what not to do at 30,000 feet. Her advice is simple, practical, and honestly a little surprising for those who have never considered the risks.

The main thing Barbiebac urges passengers to stop doing is keeping their legs crossed for extended periods during a flight. According to her, sitting this way for too long can restrict blood flow in the legs, which becomes especially concerning on longer routes. This restricted circulation raises the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. DVT is a serious medical issue that can have life-threatening complications if a clot travels to the lungs or heart.

Beyond the crossed-legs warning, Barbiebac also touched on some habits that affect not just personal health but the comfort of fellow passengers. She pointed out that resting your feet on the seat in front of you is both unhygienic and disrespectful to others sharing the cabin. She also advised against sleeping with your head leaning directly against the airplane window, explaining that the glass tends to be covered in residue from previous passengers’ faces. On top of that, the constant vibrations from the aircraft can transfer through the window and trigger headaches, so bringing a travel pillow is a much better option. She also reminded travelers to think twice before reclining their seat for the entire journey, since it can make the space behind them feel genuinely cramped.

Another experienced voice in the conversation is Sherry Peters, a flight attendant with 27 years in the industry, who has her own set of recommendations for passengers hoping to catch some rest mid-flight. Her top pick for the best seat to sleep in is the window seat, and she has a pretty convincing case for it. A window seat gives you far more control over your immediate environment, which she says is the key ingredient for actually falling asleep while flying. You can pull the shade down, block out the light, and rest your head against the cabin wall rather than risking someone’s elbow in your side every time a person walks through the aisle.

Sherry also noted that even a short nap of an hour or two can make a meaningful difference in how you feel upon landing, especially on transcontinental or overnight flights. One thing she stressed is being strategic about which seat you choose in the first place. Seats near the galley kitchen or restrooms might seem convenient, but they are actually the worst spots for rest because of the constant foot traffic from both passengers and crew throughout the flight. The noise and movement never really let up in those areas, so if sleep is a priority, she recommends booking as far from those zones as possible.

Taken together, the advice from both Barbiebac and Sherry paints a pretty clear picture of how a few small decisions before and during a flight can significantly affect your wellbeing when you land. Uncrossing your legs, choosing the right seat, and being mindful of those around you are all low-effort changes that go a long way. Flying is already tiring enough without adding avoidable aches, clots, or a groggy arrival into the mix. A little awareness before you board can honestly change the entire experience.

If you have your own tips or habits that make flying more comfortable or you have tried any of these suggestions yourself, share your thoughts in the comments.