The second a flight attendant steps into the cabin, they are being judged.
Not by their skills. Not by their training. Not by their ability to manage a full-blown crisis at 35,000 feet.
No, they’re being judged by how fast they can fetch a Diet Coke.
Some passengers respect the job. Others treat crew like human vending machines with a pulse. And a handful of self-important travellers seem genuinely offended that flight attendants exist.
So, do passengers actually respect flight attendants – or do they just tolerate them? Let’s break down the myths, the lies, and the sheer insanity of how people perceive cabin crew.
Do passengers think flight attendants are just waiters?
Most passengers think flight attendants are here for one thing: THEM.
They don’t think about safety training. They don’t think about emergency evacuations. The reality of cabin crew job perception is completely different from what most passengers assume – they see the uniform, not the responsibility.
Instead, passengers categorise flight attendants like this:
🟢 The rare passenger who gets it
- Understands that crew are first responders, not just service staff
- Knows airline rules are non-negotiable
- Doesn’t take it personally when the seatbelt sign is on
🟡 The “mildly annoying but manageable” passenger
- Asks obvious questions, like “Why can’t I change seats?”
- Complains about things the crew have no control over
- Thinks “chicken or pasta” is a personal attack
🔴 The full-blown delusional entitled nightmare
- Genuinely believes the flight revolves around them
- Assumes basic politeness should earn them a free upgrade
- Thinks rules apply to other people, not them
Reality check: Crew are not here to fluff your pillow, massage your ego, or personally adjust your climate control settings.
What passengers love and hate about crew?
The difference between a “best crew ever!” review and a one-star tantrum is usually something ridiculous. What passengers expect from flight attendants is often completely unrealistic – demanding perfection, speed, and a customised experience, even when they’re one of 200 people onboard.
✅ Passengers love:
- Instant drink service. You could have literally saved a life mid-flight, but if drinks took too long? You’re incompetent.
- Fake friendliness. Even though they hate it when it feels forced.
- Flight attendants who secretly break rules for them. (Because that’s how Karen got her second meal last time, and now she’s confused why it’s not happening again.)
❌ Passengers hate:
- Being told “no.” They refuse to believe rules apply to them.
- Being asked to follow safety instructions. What do you mean I can’t stand up during takeoff?
- Waiting. There are 200 passengers, but they expect their vodka soda in under 60 seconds.
- Crew who aren’t cheerful enough. If you’re not grinning like a theme park employee, you must be miserable and hate your life.
Translation: They want crew to be fast, friendly, and flexible – but not in a way that feels fake, unless it benefits them.
What do passengers think about flight attendants during a flight?
Passengers have zero awareness of how airline operations actually work, yet their expectations are through the roof. Here’s what goes through their minds during a flight:
🛫 Boarding:
- “Why are we still waiting? This is taking forever.”
- “Why is this overhead bin full? This must be the airline’s fault.”
- “Ugh, why is the crew telling me to store my bag? I need it at my feet.”
Reality check: The plane isn’t a magical bus. Boarding takes time. The crew aren’t delaying things just to personally annoy you.
🌤️ Mid-flight:
- “Why isn’t the drink cart here yet?”
- “Why is the WiFi slow?”
- “What do you mean I can’t walk around? I feel fine.”
Reality check: There are 200 passengers and only a handful of crew. You will survive without your drink for five extra minutes.
🛬 Landing:
- “I’ll just unbuckle now. They won’t say anything.”
- “Why aren’t the doors open yet? The flight is over.”
- “Why isn’t my checked bag out already? This is unacceptable.”
Reality check: The crew can’t teleport the plane to the gate or personally speed up baggage claim.
Passengers want instant service, instant WiFi, instant landings – but no patience.
What passengers say vs. what they really mean
Passengers love saying things they don’t actually mean. So let’s break down the real translations behind their words.
Passenger: “I travel all the time, I know how this works.”
Translation: “I flew twice last year and will now challenge every airline policy.”
Passenger: “I just have a quick question.”
Translation: “I need five minutes of your time and will ask something I could have Googled.”
Passenger: “I didn’t hear the announcement.”
Translation: “I heard it, but I didn’t like it.“
Passenger: “This is the worst airline ever.”
Translation: “I didn’t get exactly what I wanted, so now the entire airline is trash.”
Passengers don’t lie, they just… adjust the truth to fit their needs.
Why do some passengers disrespect flight attendants?
How do passengers treat cabin crew? Some with respect, some with entitlement, and some like personal assistants in the sky. Some passengers have zero respect for flight attendants because they:
- Genuinely think crew have no real skills. (”It’s not like they’re pilots.”)
- Have never worked in customer service. (”Why can’t you just break the rules for me?”)
- Are naturally self-absorbed. (”Why is this airline personally attacking me?”)
The worst offenders?
- The finger-snapper – Expects service instantly and treats crew like butlers in a mansion they don’t own.
- The persuader – Thinks if they argue enough, they’ll magically get a better seat, extra meal, or policy exception.
- The rule-breaker – Will 100% pretend they didn’t hear the seatbelt announcement, but will sue the airline if they get injured.
Passengers don’t realise that flight attendants are legally responsible for their safety. When crew enforce rules, it’s not personal – it’s because they’re literally required to.
But sure, Karen, tell me again how this is “the rudest airline ever.”
How social media warps public opinion about flight attendants
Social media has created two extreme views of cabin crew:
The villain: The flight attendant who enforces a rule = “rude” and “on a power trip.”
The fantasy: The flight attendant in first class serving champagne = “Why can’t all crew be like this?”
Meanwhile, actual cabin crew reality doesn’t go viral because no one records:
- The flight attendant stopping a drunk guy from starting a fight.
- The crew member performing CPR mid-flight.
- The 14-hour shift, the 3am wake-up call, the back-to-back delays.
Flight attendant job expectations vs. reality are completely different things. Passengers expect perfect service, patience, and flexibility – but in reality, flight attendants are dealing with back-to-back shifts, safety protocols, and unpredictable passengers.
The truth? Flight attendants are neither overly aggressive rule enforcers nor sky butlers who exist to make your flight magical.
They are professionals who know how to keep 200 strangers alive while smiling through absolute nonsense.
Where passengers & crew clash the most
These are the battlegrounds of every flight:
1️⃣ Overhead bin space
Passengers act shocked when they bring a massive suitcase and there’s no space.
Some think if they ask nicely, the crew will magically rearrange physics.
2️⃣ Rule enforcement
“Sir, the seatbelt sign is on.” Cue dramatic sigh.
“Ma’am, you can’t smoke in the lavatory.” Cue eye-roll.
3️⃣ Special requests
🤷♂️ Passenger: “Can I get a free upgrade?”
👩✈️ Flight attendant: “I’ll check.”
🤡 Translation: “I will never check.”
Aspiring cabin crew: Welcome to the madness
Thinking about becoming a flight attendant? Here’s what you need to accept:
- Some passengers will respect you. Others will treat you like a walking tray table.
- You will be blamed for turbulence, delays, crying babies, and inflight meals.
- You’ll be expected to be strict, but not too strict; friendly, but not fake; fast, but not rushed.
- No matter what you do, someone will be offended.
So, do passengers actually respect cabin crew?
If the flight is smooth? Maybe.
If their meal is late? No.
If their upgrade request is denied? Absolutely not.
But when an engine catches fire, when a passenger collapses mid-flight, when a violent drunk has to be restrained – who do they turn to?
You. Always you.
Passengers don’t have to respect flight attendants. But when things go wrong, they suddenly realize exactly why you’re there.
PA announcement for aspiring cabin crew:
📢 “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Reality Airlines. Please ensure your patience is securely fastened and your expectations are stored in the overhead bin. In the unlikely event of common sense being lost, cabin crew will be on hand to roll their eyes discreetly. Thank you for choosing this career – there is no refund policy. Enjoy your flight.”