5 Things Flight Attendants Wish They Could Say Out Loud

As flight attendants, we spend a lot of time smiling, answering questions, and maintaining a calm demeanor, even when the inside of our brains are running on overdrive. After all, it’s our job to make sure your flight goes smoothly, and we take that seriously—no matter how tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed we might be. But let’s be real: there are times when we wish we could say what’s really on our minds. So, here are five things we wish we could say out loud—no filter, no holding back.

1. “Please, just leave your seatbelt on.”

We get it—you’re eager to settle in and relax once the seatbelt sign goes off, especially on long flights. But here’s the thing: the seatbelt sign might be off, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to unbuckle just yet. Turbulence can hit out of nowhere, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We’re not trying to be the fun police, but we’d really prefer you stay buckled in while you’re seated—just in case. It’s a small thing that could make a huge difference if something unexpected happens. So please, keep that seatbelt on, and we’ll all get through the flight a little safer and a lot less stressed.

2. “We’re not here to serve you food and drinks. We’re here to keep you safe.”

As much as we love making your flight comfortable, our first priority is, and always will be, your safety. We know some of you see us as walking, talking beverage carts, but we’re much more than that. We’re trained to handle medical emergencies, evacuate an aircraft in 90 seconds or less, and everything in between. We’re watching you, not because we’re nosey, but because we need to be aware of everything happening around us—so we can react quickly if something goes wrong.

So next time you ask us where your coffee is when we’re in the middle of a safety demonstration, please remember: we might be securing emergency equipment, preparing for turbulence, or making sure that all exits are clear. Yes, we’ll get your coffee, but safety comes first.

3. “Yes, it’s true. We are just as tired as you are.”

Flight attendants don’t just “show up” for a few hours and call it a day. We work long, grueling hours—sometimes flying across time zones multiple times a week, handling difficult passengers, and trying to maintain some semblance of personal life in between. We’re on our feet for hours at a time, often without the opportunity to sit down, eat, or even use the bathroom.

We’re tired too. So when you ask us if we’re really sure we don’t need a break or wonder why we look a little sluggish, please remember that we’ve been up since 4 AM, hopped on a red-eye, and just finished our third flight of the day. We’re doing our best to serve you with a smile, even though we’d love to take a nap in the crew rest area.

4. “Just because we are ‘flight attendants’ does not mean we are ‘attending’ to just you the entire flight. If you want to be the only passenger charter a private flight.”

Okay, this one might seem nitpicky, but hear us out. The word “attendant” implies that we’re just there to wait around for you to need something. While that’s part of the job, the reality is we’re responsible for much more than simply bringing you snacks. We’re your safety officers, first responders, and troubleshooters. When we’re “attending” to you, we’re more likely to be checking your seatbelt or making sure you’re aware of emergency procedures, not just giving you a beverage.

5. “Please don’t ask us to help you with your phone/video/seatbelt when we’re in the middle of an emergency or safety briefing.”

This one’s a biggie. You know that moment when you’re trying to pay attention to the safety briefing and someone decides they need help with their tablet or they can’t figure out how to recline their seat? Yeah, it’s awkward. It’s like trying to get everyone to focus on an important announcement while one person is shouting, “Can you help me with this?”

It’s not that we don’t want to assist—you’ll always get our help as soon as we can—but there are times when the safety of everyone on the plane is more important than explaining how the seat reclines. Please be patient and wait for us to finish our safety procedures before asking for help. Trust us, it’ll make your flight a lot smoother.

Being a flight attendant isn’t all about drinks, snacks, and good customer service (though we’re happy to provide all three). It’s about ensuring your safety, keeping things running smoothly, and doing it all while staying professional—even if we’re secretly wishing we could just vent a little. So, the next time you’re flying, maybe think twice before hitting the call button for the umpteenth time or asking about a non-urgent request during an important moment. We’re here to help, but we’re also human—and sometimes, a little understanding goes a long way.