Someone once asked me, What’s the deal with the terms ‘cabin crew’ and ‘flight attendant’? So here’s what I said. ‘Cabin crew’ is a catch-all phrase for anyone who works in the airplane cabin. ‘Flight attendants,’ on the other hand, are the folks who take care of passengers. In the Philippines, we usually call female cabin crew ‘flight attendants’ and the guys ‘flight stewards.’ But times are changing, and these days, most people just use ‘flight attendant’ for anyone in the cabin. But is that technically correct? It turns out, not really.
Just a heads-up: I’m writing this article to share some information with you. In my view, whether it’s a flight attendant or a flight steward, they’re both part of the cabin crew, so they’re pretty much the same deal.
Cabin Crew vs Flight Attendant
Cabin crew is a broad term that includes everyone working inside the aircraft to ensure your flight is smooth and safe. This team is not just limited to flight attendants. It also includes senior flight attendants, pursers, and even onboard chefs in some cases. They’re the ones who make sure you’re well taken care of from the moment you step on the plane until you disembark.
Flight attendants are the most visible members of the crew. They’re the ones you’ll interact with the most during your flight. They guide you in emergencies, serve your meals, and generally look out for your well-being. But they’re not the only ones in charge. Senior flight attendants, or pursers, are like the supervisors of the cabin. They have more experience and oversee all the operations that involve passengers.
Onboard Chefs
Some airlines go the extra mile and have onboard chefs. No, they don’t have a full kitchen to whip up a five-course meal, but they do make your in-flight dining a bit more special. Airlines like Emirates include chefs to elevate the passenger experience, making you feel like you’re not just on a plane, but in a flying restaurant.
So technically speaking, all flight attendants are part of the cabin crew, but not all crew are flight attendants. Each has a specific role to play to make sure your flight is as comfortable and safe as possible.
Is it incorrect to call a male member of the cabin crew a “flight attendant”? For me, nope, it’s all good. Sometimes, you’ll even find female crew members taking on the role of “steward” when they’re working in the galley. So go ahead and use “cabin crew,” “flight attendant,” or “flight steward.” No one’s gonna give you a hard time for it.
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!
