A flight attendant has lifted the lid on exactly how they choose which plane passengers to give special treatment to, and it has nothing to do with how much you've paid for your ticket.
Miguel Muñoz spoke to Express.co.uk about the most effective ways to bag things like free food and drink or better seats than the ones you booked and said that most of it comes down to one simple thing - how nice you are to the cabin crew.
The flight attendant insisted you should never try lying to the crew by pretending you're feeling unwell in order to nab a free glass of water or cup of orange juice, as most of the time the staff will be able to spot your fibs from a mile away.
But if you're genuinely feeling dizzy and need to up your blood sugar, most flight attendants will be more than willing to get you the drink and the snack you need to get you back on track.
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Miguel said: "Sometimes people come to me asking for an orange juice or a snack because they say they are dizzy or have low blood sugar. We automatically think they are lying just to get something for free. And probably some people lie.
"But I always think if you're lying karma will come back for sure. But if they are not lying and I don't give them anything it's even worse.
"I have to, just in case. On the plane, the crew is in charge of helping passengers, so we have to trust them really."
The flight attendant also claimed he "officially has to say no" when people ask for a glass of water, as the water on a plane is not free and shouldn't just be handed out to passengers.
However, Miguel has been known to give water out to those who need it - but only if they ask nicely, and don't kick up a fuss when he tells them it's against policy.
He added: "Most airlines don't give anything for free, not even water, so when passengers come saying they are very thirsty, they need to take medication or they just ask for a glass of water, I officially have to say no.
"First, I always tell them that we sell bottles of water. I'd normally give it for free but it all depends on how you ask really.
"For example, if after I say we charge for water they get all upset saying things like 'but the law says you have to give me free water' or ' it's a human right', automatically I'm not going to give them any.
"Now, if you say you don't feel well or you ask very nicely then definitely I will be giving that to you."
And Miguel claims nice and honest passengers can even get themselves some extra legroom if they know how to ask, as there's a potential for them to be moved to the emergency exit seats if they're empty.
But this is definitely a situation in which you don't want to lie, because if you claim you need the legroom because of a "bad knee" or another injury, you're unlikely to get the seat you want.
The flight attendant explained: "If passengers come to me and say they need more space for some reason, I move them to the overwings. But you have to be careful with what you say!
"If you say you have a bad knee, for example, I have to be careful with these people as passengers seated by emergency exits are the ones who have to assist the crew in case of an emergency.
"If you can't operate the emergency exit because you have a bag knee I can't move you to the overwings. So it won't work."
So what should you do if you want to move seats?
Well, Miguel says the key is to be honest, and in no way dramatic.
He said: "My advice is to be honest, don't try to be dramatic. If it's true that you have a bad leg, fair enough (although you won't be seating in the overwings!). But don't lie about it because probably you don't know it but it won't benefit you.
"Just be honest. If you don't have any pain, simply say 'Hey if you guys had any seats available in the emergency exit row could you let me know?' and I will."
And the flight attendant's number one tip when it comes to flights is to "make it easy for the crew", as staff will be more likely to help you if they know you're not a nuisance.
He added: "This is the trick: make it easy for the crew.
"Maybe say 'Listen if you don't mind me seating in the overwings if there is space available, I have been sat there before, I know how it works, I'm happy sitting there', then I know that person is comfortable seating there, operating the exit, knows that everything needs to be placed in the overhead compartment, etc.
"So make it easier for the crew, basically."
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