10 Things Flight Attendants Aren’t Allowed to Do
Updated: Jan. 20, 2020
Their job description is more unusual than most—and so are the rules they have to follow.
The (job) rules of the sky
There are always rules and regulations to follow at various companies, and flight attendants are no exception. However, since being a flight attendant is no ordinary job, it makes sense that they have some more interesting rules they need to abide by. From not having tongue piercings and tattoos to not gambling in uniform, read on to find out the unusual rules flight attendants need to follow on the job.
They can’t sleep when working on a flight
It’s tempting for passengers to get some sleep when on a flight, but unfortunately, flight attendants don’t always have that option. “Flight attendants cannot ever sleep while working a flight unless it is a flight of a certain time duration,” says Kiki Ward, an airline flight attendant and author of The Essential Guide to Becoming a Flight Attendant. However, there are some exceptions, like on international or long haul flights when flight attendants can go to a designated area and have a set amount of time to take a rest break. Check out more fascinating airplane trivia.
They can’t have tongue piercings
Many women get their ears pierced at a young age. However, piercings can’t extend to other parts of the body, especially the tongue. According to the British Airways website, “Our uniform standards require a simple, elegant look. A single ear piercing is allowed no more than 10mm in diameter, only one set of round shaped ear-rings must be worn. No other visible body piercings including tongue, tongue retainer, and nose studs are allowed.”
Check out these life-changing airplane hacks you’ll wish you knew sooner.
They can’t have tattoos on most airlines
British Airways has an extensive checklist regarding tattoos, including a colour-coded illustration of where on the body tattoos must be fully covered, and in some spots, you can’t cover tattoos with “plasters, jewellery, or watches.” However, Air New Zealand’s tattoo policy changed on September 1, 2019, and “employees will be able to have Tā Moko and non-offensive tattoos visible when wearing our uniform or normal business attire.” Find out how flight attendants never get sick.
They can’t talk loudly in the cabin
In a confined space like a cabin, one conversation can be heard by people rows away. “There are personal behavioural guidelines that FAs are asked to follow,” says Ward. “For example, not to talk to one another loudly in the cabin, the galleys, or on jumpseats about personal lives, work, etc., (voices carry on airplanes!)” There isn’t a lot of privacy on an airplane, so everyone should be courteous to those around them and follow these etiquette rules for flying on an airplane.
They can’t accept tips from passengers
Even though passengers might want to tip flight attendants for their services, like restaurant servers or bartenders, would flight attendants be able to receive tips? “Absolutely not,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, founder and CEO, the Protocol School of Palm Beach. “Flight attendants are encouraged not to carry or exchange cash on an airplane for security reasons.”
Here’s what you should never wear when travelling on a plane, according to flight attendants.
On some airlines, they can’t be more than a certain weight
In September 2019, Air India sent out a memo to cabin crew containing details on a new menu for in-flight crew based on a “low-fat diet.” Three years earlier in 2015, Air India instructed 125 members of their cabin crew to lose weight or else face the risk of not having a job. The airline also grounded about 130 flight attendants for being overweight. The airline cited safety concerns and various issues as an explanation for shedding the weight.
Find out some of the biggest pet peeves flight attendants share.
They can’t eat in front of passengers
Flight attendants serve snacks and drinks on flights, but when was the last time you actually saw a flight attendant eat something? Jeremy Thompson shares his experience working as a flight attendant on Quora, revealing a rule pertaining to flight attendants and eating. “When I worked, we were always told to be discreet when eating and drinking,” says Thompson. “We couldn’t be seen by passengers walking down the aisle eating food or drinking. However, we could hide in the galley out of passenger view to eat and drink.” Learn the one word you need to say to get your flight attendant to like you.
They can’t wear earplugs for safety reasons
When the people around you are having a loud conversation or a baby starts crying, you can pop in your earplugs or flip through the channels to watch a movie. Not so for flight attendants. Former cabin crew safety trainer Sebastien Bouevier wrote on Quora that “crying babies are annoying and draining, however, you still need to be able to hear all the various aural signals as they will notify you of passenger call bells, lavatory call bells, fires, depressurization, etc.” Find out more secrets flight attendants wish you knew.
They can’t drink when wearing their uniform
While some passengers crave ginger ale on flights, others prefer something a bit stronger. However, drinking alcohol doesn’t apply to flight attendants on duty. “Flight attendants can’t publicly consume alcohol in uniform,” says Ward. This is the one drink you should always order on a plane.
Flight attendants can’t gamble when in uniform
There are many things to do in Las Vegas besides gambling. While passengers may try their luck at the slots, the same can’t be said for everyone arriving in Sin City. Ward says that flight attendants can’t “gamble while in uniform, so taking a quick spin on a slot machine in the Vegas airport is prohibited when working!” Next, read through these things you should never say to flight attendants.
