Things People Expect Flight Attendants To Do That Aren’t Their Jobs
Jul 06, 2023 By Sean William

It's no secret that flight attendants have a difficult job. They are expected to ensure passengers stay comfortable and comply with safety regulations while in flight, maintaining professionalism and composure.

But most people need to realize that flight attendants are often tasked with performing tasks and providing services outside of those required by their job description - from carrying passenger luggage to accommodating special requests.

In this blog post, we take a look at some of the things people expect Flight Attendants to do that aren't actually part of their job responsibilities - so you can get an inside look into what Airline Professionals deal with daily, as well as how best to interact with them in-flight!

20 Things People Expect Flight Attendants To Do That Aren’t Their Jobs

1. Carrying passenger luggage

Although it may be tempting to ask the Flight Attendant to take your bag up or down the aisle, this is not their responsibility. The Flight Attendants are responsible for ensuring the safety of all passengers in-flight and maintaining a comfortable environment.

2. Accommodating special requests

While it’s understandable why you would like something different than what is on offer, unfortunately, Flight Attendants cannot always accommodate these requests. Each airline has policies and regulations regarding what can and cannot be offered on board flights.

3. Acting as tour guides

Flight Attendants have extensive knowledge of airplane travel and safety procedures, but they are not expected to act as tour guides when in the air. This is not part of their job description and will take away from duties that must be performed for safe travel.

4. Providing medical assistance

No matter how minor, Flight Attendants cannot provide medical help during a flight. All situations requiring medical attention should be reported to the pilots, who can contact ground support.

5. Playing music for passengers

As much as everyone would appreciate some tunes while on board, Flight Attendants do not have the authority to play music or run audio entertainment on the plane – only designated personnel have this authority.

6. Entertaining passengers with stories

Although many Flight Attendants are charismatic and eager to please customers, they cannot entertain passengers with stories or jokes during the flight.

7. Walking a passenger through passport control

Flight Attendants cannot assist a passenger in passing through passport control, as only authorized personnel can do this.

8. Helping with visa issues

In cases of visa issues, such as forgotten documents or an expired visa, Flight Attendants cannot assist a passenger in resolving the problem. The advice here is to ensure that your paperwork is up-to-date before travel and contact the relevant authorities if any issues arise during travel.

9. Escorting customers off the plane upon arrival

Unless an emergency requires it, Flight Attendants are not responsible for escorting customers off the plane upon arrival.

10. Serving food and drinks beyond what is provided on board

Flight Attendants are expected to serve what is offered on board, such as beverages and snacks, but can only provide additional food or drinks inside of what is stocked in the galley.

11. Making hotel or restaurant reservations

Although Flight Attendants may have some recommendations for hotels and restaurants in the destination city, they are not allowed to make these reservations on behalf of passengers.

12. Taking passport photos

Flight Attendants cannot take passport photos of passengers to ensure authenticity and accuracy.

13. Helping with immigration paperwork

Immigration paperwork is complex and highly regulated; therefore, only authorized personnel can assist with this process – Flight Attendants do not have the authority to help here.

14. Acting as translators

Flight Attendants are expected to remain professional at all times – they cannot act as translators between passengers who speak different languages.

15. Assisting with luggage at the airport

While Flight Attendants may be able to help carry a bag from the plane to baggage claim, they are not responsible for helping passengers move or check in their bags at the airport.

16. Helping people find their seats

If you are still looking for your seat, Flight Attendants will be happy to assist with this task; however, they are not obligated to guide each passenger through the boarding process.

17. Calling taxis and providing transportation information

Although Flight Attendants can provide recommendations for local taxi services, they are not expected to call one for you nor act as a travel agent in any capacity.

18. Offering advice on what to do during layovers

Flight Attendants are not expected to advise on what to do during layovers, as this is highly personal and will depend on the individual’s preferences.

19. Helping passengers with legal documents

Legal documents can be complicated, and Flight Attendants cannot assist in understanding or filling out these forms. Instead, it is best to seek help from a qualified professional.

20. Providing financial advice

Financial matters should always be discussed with an expert – Flight Attendants have no authority or expertise regarding financial advice and recommendations.

These are just some things that people expect flight attendants to do but aren’t their job responsibilities. It’s important to remember that although Flight.

Attendants are dedicated to passenger satisfaction, and they must prioritize safety first. As such, it’s best to appreciate their hard work and respect the boundaries of their job roles.

Unique Things About Flight Attendants

1. They are multilingual: Most flight attendants can speak multiple languages, making them great communicators.

2. They have extensive knowledge of airline safety procedures: Flight Attendants are trained in emergencies and are prepared to act quickly if necessary.

3. They work long hours: Most Flight Attendants spend 12+ hours daily, with no days off for weeks.

4. They work in challenging conditions: From turbulence and poor air quality to tight spaces and loud noises, Flight Attendants must remain professional despite their numerous challenges on board flights.

5. They handle customer service issues: From dealing with disgruntled passengers to assisting those with special needs, Flight Attendants must be prepared to handle various customer service issues.

6. They are experts in customer care: Flight Attendants must be able to put customers first and maintain their composure under pressure.

7. They can de-escalate conflict: Flight Attendants are trained to diffuse tense situations and ensure passengers remain safe during flights.

8. They provide entertaining stories: Experience has taught Flight Attendants many humorous anecdotes, which they often share with passengers for entertainment value.

9. They cultivate relationships with co-workers: Building strong relationships among the crew is key to providing a pleasant in-flight experience for all passengers.

10. Their job is fun and rewarding: Despite the long hours and difficult conditions, most Flight Attendants enjoy their jobs and find them extremely rewarding.

Flight Attendants are essential to providing a safe and comfortable flight experience, and we should all show appreciation for their hard work.

FAQs

What are the things flight attendants have to do?

Flight Attendants are responsible for ensuring the safety of all passengers in-flight and maintaining a comfortable environment.

This includes performing pre-flight checks, briefing passengers on safety procedures, preparing the cabin for departure and arrival, attending to any passenger requests or needs during the flight, and monitoring cabin conditions throughout the journey.

Are Flight Attendants expected to provide medical assistance?

No matter how minor, Flight Attendants cannot provide medical help during a flight. All situations requiring medical attention should be reported to the pilots, who can contact ground support.

Can Flight Attendants make hotel or restaurant reservations?

Although Flight Attendants may have some recommendations for hotels and restaurants in the destination city, they are not allowed to make these reservations on behalf of passengers.

Conclusion

This blog post has helped you understand the role of Flight Attendants and what services they can and cannot provide. It is important to remember that although Flight Attendants are dedicated to passenger satisfaction, safety always comes first, and respecting their boundaries is best.

With this knowledge, you can appreciate all the hard work they do for you while traveling!

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