There’s a wealth of travel advice constantly shared online from tips on packing to queue skipping strategies all aimed at making holiday preparations smoother.
Social media platform, TikTok, is often a source of such advice and one tip that gained traction is boarding a plane last. The idea purports that by doing so, travellers can identify vacant seats and ensure more space.
However, this is a myth according to Gareth Llewellyn, a travel and luxury golf holiday expert at Chaka Travel. Gareth outlined two primary reasons why late boarding isn’t advisable: limitation in overhead space as others would have already placed their luggage and important announcements might be missed.
Elaborating the issue with storage, Gareth stated: “One of the biggest risks of boarding at the last minute is that overhead baggage space can be limited. Most passengers will have already stowed their carry-on luggage away, and late boarders will be forced to find space wherever they can – often away from their seat.”
He added the graver situation where: “In worse case scenarios, individuals may have to gate check-in their carry-on baggage, which means it is stored with larger pieces of luggage, and adds to the inconvenience of luggage retrieval when you land.
“Another risk of boarding late is that passengers may be asked to move to accommodate other passengers including families who need to sit together. Airlines reserve the right to reassign seats at their discretion so if you board late you might have to switch seats – which can be frustrating.”
He also pointed out it’s not uncommon for cabin crew to make announcements during boarding, leaving latecomers potentially without vital information. This lack of awareness could affect their readiness for both the flight itself and onward journeys.
Instead of depending on a TikTok trick, he suggests there are numerous ways to improve your flight experience. From partnerships between airlines and credit card companies, to loyalty schemes offered by airlines themselves, many offer early boarding free of charge and all the benefits it brings.
Just as customers are allowed to choose their ideal seat while booking, exit rows or front-row seats often provide more legroom.
In addition, online tools can help individuals pick the best seat depending on flight duration and aircraft type. By carefully packing a hand-luggage bag adequately, travellers can make sure it fits beneath the seat in front of them.
That way, they wouldn’t need to gate check-in their luggage due to limited overhead locker space.
Gareth concluded: “While TikTok hacks can be useful, it’s important to consider the practicality of them. Boarding at the last minute might seem clever but the downsides often outweigh the benefits.
“Instead, planning in advance and using the tips mentioned above will ensure a smoother and more enjoyable flight.”