Flying can be stressful for both passengers and flight attendants. There are 10 things you’re doing that annoy flight attendants, and you might not even realize it. From simple habits like ignoring safety instructions to pressing the call button for non-urgent matters, these actions disrupt the flight crew’s ability to do their job effectively. Understanding how your behavior can affect the crew will make the flight smoother for everyone.
Flight attendants are there to ensure safety and comfort, but they can only do their best if passengers cooperate. In this article, we’ll dive into these common behaviors and why they bother the crew. By becoming more mindful of these things, you’ll help foster a better experience for both you and the flight attendants. Let’s look at what you might be doing that creates unnecessary frustration and how to avoid it.
#1. Touching a Crew Member Without Their Consent
Flight attendants are there to ensure your safety and comfort, but just like anyone else, they deserve personal space and respect. Touching a crew member without consent can make them feel uncomfortable and disrespected. Imagine being on the job, handling numerous tasks and dealing with tight schedules, only to have someone tap or poke you to get attention.
It’s unnecessary and intrusive. Crew members are trained professionals, and they have clear guidelines on how to interact with passengers. Poking them, tapping them, or even touching their arm to grab their attention is not only rude but can also be distracting.
They’re there to help, but not to be treated like personal assistants. Simply calling out or politely using “excuse me” works much better and ensures both you and the flight attendant remain comfortable throughout the journey.
#2. Asking for Water Immediately Upon Boarding
Boarding a flight is always a chaotic experience. There are several safety procedures to follow, and the crew is busy making sure everyone is seated and buckled in. Asking for water right when you board can disrupt this process. Many passengers may not realize that the crew has limited time to ensure the plane is ready for takeoff.
They’re managing multiple tasks, from securing the cabin to making sure everyone is accounted for. If you need water, it’s best to wait until they’ve had time to settle down and start serving drinks. Also, if you’re taking medication, it’s often better to get water from the airport before boarding.
Flight attendants need a few minutes to make sure everyone is safely seated before they can start serving refreshments. Being considerate during this busy time helps them do their job better, and it ensures everyone is taken care of.
#3. Using the Bathroom at an Inopportune Time
Understandably, you may need to use the bathroom during your flight. However, timing is crucial. There are certain moments when getting up to go to the bathroom can cause more problems than you realize. For instance, if the flight attendants are serving drinks, getting up and squeezing past them can be disruptive and dangerous.
Navigating through an aisle filled with food trays and hot drinks while the attendants are balancing everything is tricky. It’s always best to plan bathroom trips during lulls, such as after the initial service or when you’re sure the aisles will be clear.
Crew members are working hard to keep the cabin running smoothly, and your movements can make their job harder. A little thoughtfulness and patience go a long way, and waiting for the right moment to use the bathroom ensures safety for everyone involved.
#4. Pressing the Call Bell Every Two Minutes
The call button above your seat is there for a reason: to get the attention of the flight attendants when there is an urgent need. However, pressing it repeatedly, especially when it’s not urgent, can be frustrating. If you can see that the flight attendants are already handling other passengers, it’s not helpful to keep calling them.
Flight attendants are trained to prioritize emergencies and critical needs. If you’ve just been served, or the crew is making announcements, pressing the call bell for non-essential things makes their job much harder. It’s best to wait a few minutes before pressing the button, allowing them to finish what they’re already doing.
In most cases, they will be with you soon enough, so there’s no need to rush them unless it’s something important. Patience is key when traveling, and your cooperation helps maintain the flow of the cabin.
#5. Asking a Crew Member to Be Your Personal Connection Concierge
Flight attendants are responsible for ensuring your safety and comfort, not for managing your travel connections. A common mistake passengers make is asking flight attendants to help with issues related to connecting flights. While they are happy to assist with in-flight concerns, they don’t have access to the detailed schedules or delays of other flights.
Crew members usually find out about delays at the same time as the passengers. Asking them to sort out connections or give updates on flight status can create confusion. Flight attendants do not have control over the operations of other flights, and they can’t make changes or hold a plane for you.
For connection concerns, it’s better to contact the gate agents directly or check the airport’s flight information screens. Flight attendants are there for your safety and in-flight needs, not as your concierge for logistics.
#6. Demanding a Meal After Service Is Complete
Once meal service is over, asking for food can be frustrating for flight attendants. They work hard to ensure that every passenger is served on time. After the service is completed, the attendants are typically focused on cleaning up, securing the cabin, and preparing for landing.
When someone asks for a meal after this, it disrupts their schedule. It’s not just a small request—it involves taking time to fetch the meal, which may be difficult due to limited food options and the needs of other passengers. If you missed the meal or didn’t feel like eating at the time, it’s best to wait until the next opportunity to request something.
Keep in mind, that flights often serve meals at set times, and disrupting that process doesn’t just inconvenience the flight attendants, but it can also affect everyone else on the plane. Being mindful of the schedule helps the crew focus on ensuring a smooth, stress-free flight.
#7. Timing Is Everything
During a flight, using the bathroom at the wrong moment can inconvenience both the crew and fellow passengers. Most crew members are busy serving meals, and beverages, or cleaning the cabin. Getting up to use the bathroom during these busy moments can create chaos in an already cramped space.
Flight attendants often have limited room to maneuver and carrying trays or hot beverages while people squeeze past them makes the job even harder. Additionally, there are times when the seatbelt sign is on for safety reasons, and it’s crucial to avoid moving around during this time. Ideally, you should plan bathroom breaks during lulls in service or when the aisle is clear.
By being mindful of when you get up, you not only make the experience smoother for the flight attendants but also for other passengers who are trying to relax or enjoy their meal. It’s a simple act of consideration that can make a big difference in the comfort and safety of everyone aboard.
#8. Filing Your Nails
While you may find it relaxing to file your nails, doing so on a flight can be highly irritating to others. The sound of nail files can be disruptive, especially in a confined space like an airplane. It’s not just the noise; the smell of nail polish can also cause discomfort for some passengers.
Furthermore, it can seem inconsiderate to fellow passengers and flight attendants, who are working to maintain a peaceful cabin environment. Consider saving the nail grooming for when you’re on solid ground, rather than during the flight. The small space, shared by so many, makes every action feel more pronounced.
A little consideration goes a long way in making the flight more enjoyable for everyone, crew included. Try to limit personal grooming to more appropriate times when you can do so without disturbing others.
#9. Overloading Your Carry-On
Overstuffed carry-ons are a major inconvenience for flight attendants. When passengers bring large or excessively heavy bags on board, it creates problems for both the crew and fellow travelers.
Not only does it take up valuable overhead bin space, but these over-packed bags often exceed size and weight limits, making it harder for flight attendants to stow them safely. Carrying more than you need can also cause delays as flight attendants must help passengers manage their luggage.
Flight attendants are there to ensure everyone’s safety, and lifting heavy items can be a strain on them, especially when multiple passengers need assistance. It’s always best to pack lightly and follow airline guidelines on bag sizes to avoid causing unnecessary delays and added stress for the crew.
#10. Tapping the Flight Attendant for Every Small Request
Flight attendants are highly trained to handle a wide range of tasks during a flight, from managing safety to serving meals. However, passengers frequently tap them for trivial requests, which can disrupt their workflow and prevent them from managing more urgent matters.
For instance, asking for extra napkins, beverages, or information that could be easily found in the in-flight entertainment system takes the crew away from their other responsibilities.
While it’s important to feel comfortable on your flight, unnecessary interruptions can delay essential services for others. Instead of tapping a flight attendant at every opportunity, be mindful of when they are making rounds and save your requests for those moments. Patience is key when traveling, and understanding the crew’s responsibilities helps create a more harmonious atmosphere in the cabin.
#11. Ignoring the Seatbelt Sign
Flight attendants are trained to handle every aspect of the flight, from comfort to safety. When passengers ignore the seatbelt sign and stand up or move around the cabin, it complicates their job.
The seatbelt sign is in place to ensure safety during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. Disregarding it not only puts you at risk but also distracts the crew from other critical tasks.
Flight attendants must keep track of every passenger to ensure they are safely secured, and when passengers ignore this simple rule, it adds unnecessary stress to their already demanding job. It’s always best to wait for the seatbelt sign to be turned off before moving around.
#12. Ignoring Cabin Announcements
Flight attendants often make essential cabin announcements about safety, service, and important flight details. Ignoring or talking over these announcements can create confusion and disrupt the smooth flow of the flight.
These announcements contain vital information, from updates on seatbelt signs to emergency procedures, and when passengers ignore them, flight attendants are forced to repeat themselves or redirect their attention away from other important duties. It can also cause misunderstandings, especially in an emergency where every second counts.
By paying attention to announcements, passengers ensure they’re informed about safety procedures and flight updates, making it easier for the crew to maintain a calm and well-managed cabin environment. Flight attendants are trying to ensure everyone’s safety, so respecting the communication they provide helps everyone, including fellow passengers, stay informed and prepared.
#13. Disrespecting Personal Space
Flight attendants are there to serve you, but they are also entitled to their personal space. It’s frustrating when passengers feel the need to poke, tap, or physically touch a crew member to get their attention.
Flight attendants are constantly moving through crowded aisles, assisting other passengers, and managing in-flight services, and when someone unexpectedly touches them, it can be distracting, uncomfortable, and, at times, even alarming. It’s important to remember that flight attendants are not personal assistants, and their primary job is ensuring your safety.
If you need assistance, simply use polite verbal cues like “excuse me” or “please” rather than physical contact. Respecting their personal space helps foster a more professional, courteous atmosphere and allows the crew to focus on their duties efficiently.
#14. Bringing Too Many Carry-Ons
Overpacking your carry-on might seem like an efficient way to avoid checking luggage, but it creates significant challenges for flight attendants. Excessively large or heavy bags can be difficult to stow in overhead bins, especially when space is limited.
Flight attendants are responsible for ensuring that all luggage is safely secured, and large carry-ons often require them to move bags around or request passengers to check their bags at the gate. This adds unnecessary stress and delays the boarding process, affecting the flight’s timely departure.
Moreover, oversized bags can cause physical strain for attendants, particularly when lifting or maneuvering heavy items. Passengers need to adhere to airline guidelines on bag size and weight to prevent these disruptions. By packing light and within the guidelines, passengers not only ensure a smoother boarding experience for themselves but also make the cabin crew’s job more manageable.
#15. Eating Smelly Food
It’s tempting to bring your snacks or meals on board, especially for long flights, but bringing food with a strong or unpleasant odor can cause discomfort for both the flight attendants and fellow passengers. While you may enjoy the smell of your lunch or snack, it can quickly spread through the confined space of the cabin, disturbing others.
Flight attendants are responsible for maintaining a pleasant environment, and unpleasant smells can make it difficult for them to create a positive experience for everyone. Additionally, if the food spills or creates a mess, the crew must clean it up, which takes time and attention away from other duties.
Instead of bringing strong-smelling food like tuna, garlic-heavy dishes, or fast food, consider snacks that are less likely to disturb those around you. Keeping food choices respectful not only ensures a more pleasant atmosphere but also reduces the burden on flight attendants who already have plenty to manage during the flight.