If you’re an experienced traveller, you probably know how limited the airline’s on-board services can be. But if you know what to ask for, you’ll soon learn that what you can ask for is not as restricted as it may seem. In fact, there are plenty of useful things that you can get for free on a flight.

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Cockpit tours

It may seem strange, but many pilots do allow children (and not only them) to visit the cockpit after landing.

Second helpings

If the airline you’re travelling with provides an in-flight meal, you can ask for seconds. If there’s anything uneaten after all customers have been served, there is a good chance you’ll get an extra snack. In fact, a lot depends on the time of your trip. For example, on late night flights, passengers often pass on their meals or snacks.
And here’s one more bonus: if you don’t feel like drinking tea or coffee, keep in mind that most airlines also offer hot chocolate, soda or juice.

Basic medicines and bandages

Medical kits containing the most basic medicines and supplies (e.g. painkillers, antacids, adhesive bandages for minor cuts, etc.) are available on all flights. Flight attendants are also trained to make ice packs for injuries.

Help finding a doctor

If a passenger experiences a serious health issue on a plane, a flight attendant will try to find a doctor on board. Most often, that means the flight attendant will make an announcement over the loudspeaker. But some airlines also give medical professionals free air miles if they identify themselves before they board.

Help switching seats

Flight attendants often help passengers negotiate seat switches. So if you want to sit next to your travel companion on a plane, you can ask for help immediately after boarding. They may ask you to wait until all other passengers have taken their seats or until the plane has reached its cruising speed.

Sanitizing wipes

Airplane arm rests, tray tables, and various buttons are the dirtiest surfaces on a plane, harbouring lots of deadly germs. If you want to clean the surfaces you’re going to have to touch, ask a flight attendant for a few sanitizing wipes. They usually have them on hand.

Alcohol drinks

A lot of airlines actually serve free alcoholic drinks on international flights — provided you ask them.

Useful things

Many airlines offer free amenity kits for long-haul flights. For example, you can ask for a free eye mask, a set of earplugs, playing cards, writing kits, an individual toothbrush, toothpaste and even socks. No matter what class you are travelling, flight attendants are often willing to provide the passengers with these useful things. Besides, some airlines also offer activity packs for young children. These packs usually contain items such as crayons, coloring books, stickers, puzzles, and so on.
Children under the age of two can travel without a seat. If you’re traveling with a baby, you can ask a flight attendant for a cradle.

Water bottle refills

All passengers who carry their own water bottles have to empty them before going through security at the airport. But don’t throw your empty container away. If you like to keep hydrated during your flight, don’t be too timid to ask for water bottle refills. In fact, cabin crews are happy to keep refilling your bottle.