A Virgin Australia clip has gone viral on TikTok over a “secret” switch located on the overhead locker of the aircraft.
If you’ve ever wondered how some flight attendants easily close the locker with a light push, it’s because there is something called a gas spring assist button.
In a clip shared to the Aussie airline’s official TikTok page, a cabin crew member reveals exactly where the switch is.
“The switch triggers the air-powered lever that helps the cabin crew close the locker when it’s quite heavy,” he explained.
Virgin Australia cabin manager, David Musolino, said overhead lockers can hold up to 58kg of weight so the switches make closing them a lot easier for crew and passengers.
“There are a few secret switches around the cabin, we also have seat recliner locks on the emergency exit row seats to ensure seats are locked upright for take-off and landing,” Musolino told news.com.au.
“After take-off, cabin crew will unlock the seats so those seated in the emergency exit rows can recline their seat like everyone else.”
The clip has been viewed almost 1 million times with Aussies having no idea the switch existed.
“I always wondered what those were on 777s,” one person wrote.’
Meanwhile, earlier this year the airline took out the ‘best cabin crew’ award for the sixth year in a row.
The Aussie airline was up against more than 350 carriers from around the world to take out the prestigious title in the Airline Excellence Awards for 2024.
Presented annually by leading aviation ratings website, AirlineRatings.com, the awards are judged by editors with more than 200 years of combined aviation experience.
Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka said she was thrilled to see the Virgin Australia cabin crew team recognised once again in the awards.
“This award comes as no surprise as it is a true reflection of our incredible cabin crew who work hard every day to consistently deliver the service we are known and loved for, and winning this award for an incredible sixth time in a row is wonderful recognition of our team,” Hrdlicka said.
