See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GRACE BANNISTER FOR YOU MAGAZINE Updated: 14:48 BST, 5 August 2026
It’s Gatwick’s busiest month of the year and the summer holidays are in full swing, with as much as half of the UK planning on flying abroad this summer.And yet often the last thing getting in the way of a relaxing holiday is the stress of an airport. From over-sized luggage to uncomfortable airplane seats, it can feel tempting to sack off going abroad and stick to a staycation.But, before you do, we asked Lola Hillier, a Ryanair flight attendant who's probably seen the inside of an airport more times than you've been to your local Tesco, to reveal her insider tips and tricks for flying abroad this summer. As Ryanair cabin crew, Lola Hillier has loads of insider tips and tricks for flying abroad.Take the stress out of carry-on baggageThose metal baggage measurement monsters often feel like the last hurdle I have to overcome before I can truly relax and get on with my holiday. But, according to Hillier, Primark has actually come out with a carry-on bag with the exact measurements needed to board your flight.‘I actually bought one as my crew, carry-on bag because I know it will definitely be the right size,' she says. 'They’re strict with crew about how big our bags can be too.’Invest in compression packing cubesCompression packing cubes mean you can over-pack to your heart's content. After all, they're Ryanair flight attendant approved. Hillier says: 'It's what I use if I have an overnight or I'm operating from another base, you can fit so much more in your bag than you would if you didn’t use them.’Remember liquids rules can change per airportIt seems that rules on what sized liquids you can bring through the airport are constantly changing, so Hillier says she opts for bringing mini toiletry sized products. ‘I normally go to Boots and buy travel-sized toiletries that you’ll be able to take through,' she says. 'But I do know people who fill up empty containers using the products they already have which is more cost effective.’Feel rubbish on flights? Try electrolytesUnsurprisingly, flying at over 38,000ft can have an impact on your body. This can often result in feeling dehydrated after a flight. Hillier recommends buying flavoured, electrolyte tablets that you can pop into your water bottle on flight. She says: ‘Drinking an electrolyte throughout the flight will make you feel so much better, especially if you struggle with air sickness.’ Lola Hillier says choosing a seat on row 17 means that you're guaranteed to get extra leg room.Choose seats wisely While there's no point kidding yourself that a Ryanair flight could be made luxe, there are some tips to having a more comfortable flight. Hillier says: ‘I always tell passengers to book row 17 because no matter which Ryanair aircraft you’re flying on, you’re always going to get extra leg room.'If sitting in the emergency exit row isn’t for you, Hillier recommends choosing seats D, E and F on row two as it’s got the perks of extra leg room without being on an emergency exit row.Pay attention to passenger announcementsMaking sure you listen in to on-craft passenger announcements is a great way to stay in the loop for deals when it comes to both food, drink and duty free products. 'A lot of people don’t realise how many deals we actually have,’ Hillier says.Download Flightradar24Flightradar24 is a free mobile app that lets you check departure times and delays sometimes even before the airport gets the chance to update departure boards.‘I use it all the time as cabin crew to see where my flight is or how delayed I’m going to be,' says Hillier. 'Passengers can also use the app to check updated departure times, staying in the loop on any news about delays.'
