There’s nothing wrong with asking your flight attendants questions or making requests during your flight, but we can’t expect them to address every single one of your concerns. Some of the questions you may have may be so far beyond their scope of work or concern that they must be answered by another department. There may also be some questions you have that they will gladly answer in full.
Here, I list the questions and requests that flight attendants would answer or grant if they could. Included here are those they may not answer nor grant.
Questions and requests that are acceptable:
- “Around what time would it be when we land at our destination?” – Yes, cabin crew members have access to this information; however, they will most likely give you an estimate due to factors such as air traffic and runway conditions at the destination. In most cases, the captain of the flight would provide passengers with updates on the flight’s estimated arrival time.
- “What are some great tourists spots you would recommend me to visit at [destination]?” – Cabin crew members can also go on tours during layovers or even go on an adventure at a specific location. They are the best people to ask if you want to know the best tourist spots at your destination, unless it is the cabin crew’s first flight to that destination, especially if he or she is a new recruit. Nonetheless, if it is their first time, they can always consult with their more senior colleagues.
- “Where would it be good to go bargain shopping at [destination]?” – Cabin crew members are “experts” in this field. Of course, everything is still dependent on the item that you need to buy.
- “I’m not feeling well. Do you have any medicines here?” – Most, if not all, airlines do not carry medicines on board, but a medical emergency immediately becomes a concern for all cabin crew on board. Cabin crew members will do their best to address your medical concern first, but if your situation is serious, they will request a doctor on board. At times, they would also call the captain and report the incident so that the pilots on board could determine whether they needed to divert to the nearest airport, especially if the situation was life threatening. First-aid training is provided to cabin crew members. In fact, there are many registered nurses among the cabin crew.
- “Is it okay if I may move seat please?” – In general, you may move seats only after the aircraft has taken off and if there are still available seats, subject to airline regulations. Moving seats on widebody jets does not affect weight distribution as much because they usually have a 500kg buffer, but even then, it’s best to ask your cabin crew first, and please ask only after take-off, when the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off.
- “My right arm is injured and my luggage can’t fit under the seat. Is it okay if I may request assistance in lifting my luggage unto the overhead bin?” – Cabin crew members are encouraged to help injured people, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly with luggage lifting. Assist means that two of you will lift your luggage. However, if at all possible, we recommend simply checking them in. Make certain that your hand-carried items are less than the maximum allowable stowage weight inside the aircraft.
- “Sorry I do not have a ballpen with me. May I borrow yours please?” – Whatever you do, if you borrow something, please return it, even if it is a 20 Peso ballpen. Please remember to return any ballpens borrowed from a flight attendant to fill out your immigration card.
- “How to be you po Miss F/A?” – They’d love to tell you their cabin crew stories, but only after meal service is finished and the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off.
- “Where are we flying above now?” – Yes, the cabin crew could always ask the captain for this information if they were unable to provide you with a direct answer on the spot. Oh, and if the cabin crew does not respond immediately, please do not be upset; unlike pilots, they do not have access to radars and air traffic controls.
- “Sorry but I am flying alone and I am bored. Is it okay if I may enjoy a conversation with you?” – Yes, by all means. Just make sure they aren’t doing anything during the flight. Of course, please keep in mind that they may serve other passengers during your conversation, but it is nice to have a good conversation with your flight attendant as well.
- “May I take your picture and have a picture with you?” – Without a doubt! This is a complete show of respect for your flight attendant, as opposed to secretly filming them without their knowledge. Just respect their choice. Because of company rules and policies, some may be uncomfortable with it. As a result, always ask permission first.
Avoid asking the following questions and requests:
- “Do you have any chicken ala kiev (or anything not found in the menu)?” – The plane isn’t a flying restaurant. Meals are prepared on the ground and loaded onto the aircraft prior to takeoff. Unless you made or specified specific meals when booking your ticket, the food on board is pre-made in the ground and simply heated on board. So, if the flight attendant in business class hands you a menu card or asks if you want beef, chicken, or fish, please do not ask for anything other than what you see or hear. If you require special meals, such as a vegetarian meal, please indicate this when booking your ticket. The aircraft is not a flying restaurant with every ingredient available at all times.
- “What’s the zipcode at [city]?” – In a given city, county, or town, there are numerous zipcodes. However, cabin crew members are not required to memorize all of them because doing so would simply clutter their minds. It’s nice if they know the zipcode, especially if you’re asking for the zipcode of a city they live in, but don’t tell them “you’re an F/A, you don’t know the zipcode?” Even postmen don’t know all the zipcodes.
- “Please put my bag on the bin.” – There is a distinction to be made between requesting assistance and having the flight attendant stow your luggage. If you are a PWD, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, or otherwise physically challenged, you may always request assistance in stowing your luggage, which means you and the cabin crew will both lift it. Please do not suddenly let go of the luggage as it may fall on the cabin crew, causing an injury. If, on the other hand, you are a physically fit passenger, please lift your luggage into the overhead bin by yourself. Cabin crew members are not required to lift every passenger’s luggage into the overhead bin.
- “May I get your mobile number?” – Cabin crew members are discouraged from providing any personal information and have the right to privacy.
- “This flight is delayed and I have an appointment to catch. Can we fly already?” – Cabin crew members dislike delays as well, but they have no control over them. Please understand that if a flight is delayed, no matter how much you chastise your cabin crew, there is nothing they can do and nothing will be resolved. Delays are caused by a variety of factors, some of which are unavoidable, especially when the safety of all passengers is at stake.
- “Can we please get off this aircraft?” – When flights are diverted, many passengers ask this question. Flight attendants have no control over this situation because they must rely on information from the captain, airport security, and ground control to determine whether it is acceptable to force passengers to exit an aircraft. So, please, don’t be too hard on your cabin crew if they refuse to let you off the plane when the flight is diverted. They are simply following orders.
- “Ma’am F/A, you are so beautiful. May I know if you are taken?” – Please see #4 on the “questions to avoid.
- “What are the directions to my hotel from the airport?” – You could always use Google Maps or Waze to find an answer to this question. Is there no signal? Please look for the airport’s tourist information desk. Cabin crew members have their own shuttle services from the airport to their hotels and may not be able to provide you with the information you require.
- “I do not want to follow you like opening my window shades during take-off, etc. Whatcha gonna do?” – Cabin crew members have the authority to arrest you if they believe you are a threat to their duties or the safety and security of other passengers on board, especially if safety and security is a major concern.
So, there you have it! Don’t get me wrong: you can always ask your cabin crew anything, but don’t expect them to answer or oblige to everything because some things are beyond their control and knowledge. There are also things they are and are not allowed to do based on what their airlines have told them.
How does this make you feel?
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First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
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