Stop doing this on planes: Flight attendants are secretly fed up

Anyone who’s been on a long flight has most likely gotten a bit thirsty at some point. The question is, how do you go about getting some more water?

More and more people are choosing the wrong way and pressing the flight attendant call button above them. And not just for that but a range of other “needs” and it’s driving flight attendants bonkers.

Passengers often don’t realize that flight attendants’ primary job duty is keeping them safe on a flight, and that is the primary use for that button. But what are the other acceptable times when you can get a flight attendants attention with the call button? Here’s some tips from travel experts and flight attendants themselves.

Flight attendant call button etiquette

As mentioned, flight attendants are first and foremost on the flight as safety professionals and not there to serve at passengers’ beck and call. Niccolo Serrat, a flight attendant and travel journalist, wrote for Condé Nast Traveler a list of situations where you “should” press the call button, when it is okay, and when it’s a no-no.

Note, that the Serrat says it’s okay in the following situations to press the call button, but these come with caveats.

Jay Robert, a lead cabin crew member told AFAR that he and other flight attendants take pity on those trapped in a window seat who “find themselves barricaded by sleeping bodies, and the call bell is their only way to request resources.”

However, if you need to rehydrate and have access to the aisle, it is recommended that you stretch your legs and head back to the galley to ask. But don’t crowd up the galley or block the aisle. And DO NOT get up for any reason when the ‘fasten your seat belt’ sign is on.

Except for the last, which is just a waste of breath, in the above situations even if it’s an emergency, you will most likely have to wait as the flight crew are themselves seated and buckled in for their safety or preoccupied with other duties.

While your needs might seem to be the most important thing at the moment, remember that an airplane is a shared space that runs on safety and structure, said Jamila Musayeva, a certified etiquette coach and the author of three books on modern manners, speaking to Reader’s Digest. “When passengers forget they’re in a shared environment, it can create unnecessary tension.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.