Buzz
Flying these days is more challenging than ever. With prices soaring, checked baggage fees on the rise, and the chaos of airport security, the entire experience can be incredibly stressful. Even boarding has become chaotic, with some passengers lining up at the gate long before their designated boarding group is called.
Once you’re finally aboard the plane, you’re greeted by a dedicated crew whose job it is to ensure your safety and comfort. Flight attendants play a crucial role in managing anxious passengers, so it’s important to be respectful. Although no one intends to be rude, there are several common mistakes passengers make that frustrate flight attendants. Check to see if you might be guilty of any of them.
One pet peeve for flight attendants is when passengers keep their headphones on while crew members are taking orders.
It’s already hard enough to hear anything on a plane, even without earphones! While you might not want to miss out on the movie playing on your screen, the courteous (and considerate) thing to do is hit pause when you see a flight attendant approaching to take your order. This way, they won’t have to repeat themselves several times, which can quickly become frustrating, especially with 35 rows of passengers.
Don’t worry about ringing the call button just to have trash collected.
The crew will come by! Flight attendants make multiple rounds during the flight to gather your wrappers and empty cups. There's no need for them to make a special trip just to pick up your trash. Just hang tight – they’ll be back around soon.
Getting upset with the crew when the overhead bins are full doesn’t help.
Flight attendants have no say in the size of the overhead bins or how many passengers bring larger carry-ons onboard. So, if you find no room left for your bag, direct your frustration elsewhere (perhaps an email to the airline) or simply take a deep breath and prepare to retrieve your luggage from the carousel upon arrival. Getting irritable with the crew won’t solve anything, but it certainly makes their jobs tougher.
Don’t poke flight attendants to get their attention.
Another common complaint related to trash: passengers sometimes poke flight attendants to grab their attention. Would you like to be poked? Instead, simply ask! If you have trash, politely request that the attendant come by your row when they have a moment.
Some passengers don’t give enough space to those in front of them to stow their luggage.
For many, the most stressful part of flying is the boarding process, where people rush to get on the plane first in their group. Even after tickets are scanned, this rush continues, and it’s common to see people crowding the aisles, pushing against the person in front of them in an attempt to load their carry-on luggage into the bins faster. Take a breath and give them space to stow their items – you’ll get to your seat, even if it’s just 10 seconds later.
Not greeting the crew with a simple hello can leave a negative impression.
It’s a simple gesture, but it goes a long way: when you board the plane, greet the crew! And don’t forget to say hello again when speaking to an attendant during the flight. It’s considered rude to approach someone and simply ask, "trash?".
Ignoring requests to stow laptops before takeoff can be frustrating for everyone.
This is one of those situations where passengers often direct their frustration at flight attendants for something that is out of their control. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all laptops be stowed away before takeoff, regardless of airline. It’s the flight crew’s responsibility to ensure that everyone complies with these regulations, so do them a favor and follow their instructions the first time they ask.
Don’t leave your bags sticking out of the overhead bin!
If you’re struggling to fit your bag into the overhead compartment and it’s clearly too large, you’re likely not the only one facing this issue. Make sure to load your bags properly so the attendants can easily close the compartment before takeoff. If your bag doesn’t fit, notify someone sooner rather than later so you can arrange to check it.
Using the bathroom while the plane is taxiing is a no-go.
We totally understand that sometimes you might need to go, but next time you hear boarding is beginning and wonder if you should use the restroom at the gate first, the answer is yes! The plane can't depart until everyone is seated with seatbelts fastened, and getting back to your seat after using the lavatory can be tricky when people are still boarding.
Don’t move into an exit row without checking first.
It can be tempting to move to an empty exit row when boarding seems over and you spot some seats with extra legroom. However, before making the switch, ask the flight attendants. They need to know exactly who is on the plane before takeoff, and sitting in someone else’s seat complicates their task. It’s always better to ask first!
