Flight attendant says they ‘always’ give ‘special treatment’ to certain couples

Joaquin is a flight attendant based in London Gatwick Airport who has been flying the skies for years.

The crew member explained that there are many ways to get an upgrade or better treatment on the plane without paying for it.

Joaquin said that holidaymakers can easily get “a freebie” or an upgrade to First Class on their next flight if they are “respectful and polite with the cabin crew”.

He explained that “treating the crew the way they deserve is the most important thing,” however, some people have more chances than others. 

If there is a couple on the plane who are celebrating a special occasion or on their honeymoon, for example, “I always give them special treatment”.

Joaquin does this to try and make their trip “even more enjoyable”. He always tries to move them to First Class or gives them a free bottle of Prosecco.

Travel agent Addie Bell advised couples: “Always make sure it’s known it’s a honeymoon even if [companies] don’t ask for the occasion.”

She recommended “speaking with the representative at the flight desk before the flight to ask for empty seats next to you and inform them it’s your honeymoon,” or talking to the flight attendants on board.

“They do have a lot of control and it does happen!” Addie told the wedding publication Brides.

Those who are not going on their honeymoon are also encouraged to speak to the crew and explain that their trip is part of a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or graduation. 

Joaquin added that children sometimes get special treatment on the plane, especially if they are “very excited” to fly.

“Kids are normally very excited to be on a plane, some of them even draw pictures for the crew or the pilots during the flight. For those, I always have a little treat!”

If parents are travelling with children, it is always worth asking the cabin crew if they can visit the flight deck and meet the pilots before or after the flight.

By showing interest in the flight attendants’ job, children will most likely be rewarded with a sweet or chocolate. In fact, some travel experts say that flying with children “increases the chances of an upgrade”. 

On the travel blog Upgradedpoints, experts explained that families flying with children will have “more attentive crew”. They said: “This may come as a shock to some, but cabin crews tend to be more friendly to passengers flying up front. While there are of course exceptions to everything, flight attendants who only have to deal with 30 passengers (instead of 200) can often provide a more personal (and less rushed) service. This can be a huge difference-maker when flying with a baby or young children.”