Polite

A flight attendant has revealed the real reason they greet you as you board the plane – and it’s not just to make sure you have a pleasant experience while in the air

A flight attendant has spilled the beans on the actual reasons behind the friendly welcome passengers get as they step onto a plane. While many seasoned flyers might think cabin crew are simply setting the scene for an enjoyable experience with their beaming smiles and seat guidance, the truth could be more about safety than service.

One TUI staff member, operating out of Stuttgart airport, took to TikTok to reveal in a viral video – that’s been viewed a staggering 18.7 million times – that attendants are actually sussing out if passengers are fit to fly during the greeting.

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The user, known as MrsMiva on TikTok, shared that the warm reception isn’t just hospitality but also a quick assessment to determine whether individuals are “too drunk or sick” to take the journey.

She even goes as far as stating: “Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of kindness but also to check whether you are too drunk or sick to fly?”

Prompted by her candid revelation, others chimed in to confirm this is standard procedure, with some suggesting that it’s also a way to identify who might be helpful in case of an emergency.

According to flight attendants, the greeting is more than just a friendly welcome – they’re assessing whether passengers are sober enough to fly and identifying potential helpers in an emergency.

One attendant revealed: “We are also picking out good candidates for the event of an emergency.”

Meanwhile, passengers shared their own experiences, with some joking about having “really chill” attendants who turned a blind eye to their fragile state.

One confessed: “Lol my flight attendant back from Vegas must have been really chill cause I was NOT in any condition to be on a plane.”

Another recalled: “I was once severely hungover and I threw up twice mid-flight. The flight attendants were so helpful. I felt so bad.”

A flight attendant has revealed the secret reason why cabin crew will greet passengers on the plane – and it’s not just because they’re being polite

If you’ve ever taken a flight, you’ll know that the cabin crew greet passengers upon their entry into the aircraft.

While it may have seemed like nothing more than a polite gesture up until now, a flight attendant has revealed the real reason behind the friendly greeting. Ioana Iachim, a flight attendant working for Wizz Air has confessed there’s a hidden meaning behind a cabin crew member’s affable hello during boarding.

Taking to TikTok to share some of her insider secrets, Ioana revealed: “Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of politeness but also, to check whether or not you are too drunk or sick to fly.”

Presumably, cabin crew then keep an eye on passengers they believe could stir up trouble or may not be fit to fly, and might even prevent them from boarding. Ioana’s video currently has over 3.5 million views and over 190k likes.

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Several travellers were shocked at Ioana’s revelation, with one writing: “And I thought they fancied me.” Another TikTok user commented on the video: “I never greet them back because I am an introvert.” One added: “So why do I always sit next to people hacking up a lung and nobody does anything.” Ioana’s hack isn’t the only flight attendant secret that has been revealed in recent times.

As a flight attendant for the past 22 years, Sue Fogwell has warned fliers against ordering a Bloody Mary while in the skies. While speaking to Travel + Leisure, Sue shared that giving the Bloody Mary a miss is probably wise. The cabin crew member said: “Due to the very high sodium content, I always avoid drinking Mr&Mrs T/bloody mary mix and tomato juice.”

This is because drinks and foods that have a high sodium content can dehydrate passengers fairly quickly, especially on long-haul flights. What’s more, the vodka in a classic Bloody Mary has also been identified as a dehydrator, with the NHS advising fliers to limit their alcohol consumption while on an aircraft.

In another instance, ex-flight attendant and viral TikTok sensation, Kat Kamalani, shared some unnerving truths about the state of an aircraft’s water tanks. She warned: “Don’t you ever, ever, ever consume these products from an airplane, from a flight attendant! Rule number one never consume any liquid that is not in a can or a bottle.”

She went on to claim that “those water tanks are never cleaned and they are disgusting”. In fact, cabin crew themselves won’t touch hot drinks. She explained: “We rarely rarely drink the coffee or tea. They come from the same water tank. And so when you’re drinking that coffee and tea come from that hot water and it’s absolutely disgusting.”

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One flight attendant has taken to social media to shed light on why crews always greet passengers at the plane doors prior to take-off – and it goes beyond just simple politeness

A flight attendant has shared insider information about why passengers are welcomed at the doors of a plane during boarding. Frequent flyers will be familiar with the standard boarding protocol that includes a warm welcome at the plane doors – usually consisting of big smiles and gentle direction to the correct aisle to find your seat.

Naturally, this is assumed by many to be a show of basic politeness, considering flight attendants are the face of any airline. Another common assumption is that the greeting is meant to lay the groundwork for a pleasant flight experience or even, to simply check boarding passes for one final time.

However, one working flight attendant alleges that hospitality is not the primary motivation for the warm reception. The real reason for the greeting is to give flight attendants the opportunity to conduct a visual assessment of passengers before take-off.

In a now-viral TikTok video, MrsMiva – who claims to work for TUI out of Stuttgart airport – has explained flight attendants use the boarding process to check if passengers are able fliers. According to the creator, flight attendants need to determine if passengers are “too drunk or sick to fly”.

In the caption for the video, MrsMiva explains that the pause at the door helps attendants see who might be able to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency. The video – which has been viewed over 18 million times – started a lively conversation in the comments section, with many seconding MrsMiva’s claim.

Many commenters confirmed they’ve certainly experienced the attendant greeting and that the reason behind it is valid and logical. One commenter who also claimed to be a long-time attendant confirmed the policy, writing: “FA (flight attendant) of eight years – or to check if they could be an ABA (able-bodied assistant).”

The comments took a turn as users began to explain the different types of flight attendants they had encountered in their travels. Some said they had “really chill” attendants, while others added theirs were helpful when they were in poor condition to travel.

Being able-bodied and physically fit is a requirement of passengers wishing to sit next to emergency exit doors, which may be why attendants double-check this at the door. Emergency exit seats are often coveted for their extra legroom, though they can cost extra.

Passengers that sit near the emergency exit doors must be willing and able to assist flight attendants in the unlikely event of an emergency. For this reason, Ryanair’s terms and conditions state that it “can change your allocated seats at any time, even if you had reserved it, if we need to do this for operational, safety or security reasons.”

The airline’s guidelines stipulate that passengers who wish to sit in rows 1, 16, or 17 where emergency exits are located must meet certain criteria, including being over 16 years old, capable of assisting in an emergency, travelling without an infant, not requiring airport special assistance of any kind, not requiring a seat belt extender, and not having an extra comfort seat booked.

Many flight attendants have begun sharing trade secrets on social media, letting passengers in on the reason for many common behaviours or practices. Another TikTok account recently revealed why flight attendants sit on their hands while they’re in jumpseats.

Another cabin crew members also shared when it is – and isn’t – acceptable to recline your seat on an plane. And how you can ensure you have a more enjoyable flight and be a considerate passenger.