Inside the wild lifetime of flight attendants − from rowdy passengers to secret outfits
Flight attendants have seen it all − and been through it all. With more and more people jetting off on holiday, those travelling are asking more from the cabin crew as they serve passengers on their way to their destination.
Stewards and air hostesses have to deal with their fair share of drama and chaos on board. From dramatic brawls that cause flights to be diverted to health emergencies, and even deaths on the plane, attendants are responsible for everything the passenger sees.
And with many holidaymakers stepping into the airport bar for a cheeky pint or two before the flight gets off the ground, some can be rather difficult. Here is just some of the ways that flight attendants make your − and their lives – a little better.
Rowdy passengers
Skye Taylor admitted she was subjected to torrents of abuse(Image: Jam Press/@skye_taylor_xx)
Former flight attendant Skye Taylor was a loyal air hostess for Virgin Atlantic for nearly two decades. However, she was forced to quit after she developed insomnia on her shift patterns.
But she previously told Daily Star that she was subjected to horrific abuse from drunk passengers “all the time”. She hit back at the assumption the holiday begins once the plane is off the ground, saying it is anything but.
“It is horrible up there, sometimes it feels like it is going to get out of control and it is not a nice feeling,” she admitted. “When do you become the police up there and still be the friendly, helpful person they can still go to? It is very, very hard.”
Positive attitude
Cabin crew like use a ‘kill them with kindness’ approach when dealing with passengers (stock)(Image: Getty)
When dealing with angry passengers, air hostess Faye Lane revealed killing them with kindness is often an effective approach. Lane, who was in the industry for over 25 years, told PBS that by sympathising with the customer, it often disarms them.
“If someone’s very frustrated or annoyed, I will go there with them,” she explained. “Like, ‘Oh my gosh, I know, right? It’s so frustrating. It’s so annoying. Oh, I wish I could fix it.’ And then I can calm down and they’ll generally come with me.”
But while she says the positive approach does work, even she gets irritated by long delays, but uses it as a way to make friends with guests. “We all bonded on this common nightmare of an experience,” she explained, “as physically exhausting and emotionally difficult as it was, it’s one of my favourite flight memories because I just got to see how people actually are.”
Secret uniforms
Emirates staff have revealed they have a secret second uniform that is never seen(Image: Getty Images)
In April 2023, former Emirates flight attendant Danielle revealed there was a secret second uniform that is provided for staff to wear. However, she revealed that passengers never see the crew wear them.
Revealing all in a TikTok, Danielle told her followers about special pyjamas that are available to staff on longer flights. “During long-haul flights, cabin crew will change into pyjamas and take their break,” she explained.
“If an emergency should occur while crew are on their break and they don’t have time to change into their normal uniform, they can be easily identified to customers,” she added. Fans praised Emirates for the move, saying it was good of the company to provide comfort for staff.
Raunchy antics
Those looking to get raunchy in the airplane bathroom could be duped into security (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
While everyone often fantasises about getting hot and heavy in an airplane bathroom, one former steward revealed it is extremely common. Revealing all in a Reddit post, the user RomanAirLad admitted it was an “embarrassing situation to be in” when they are caught.
When asked about what happens after you’re found, he revealed the consequences can vary. Most of the time, if passengers immediately stop and leave, they usually get away scot-free − but sometimes it can be escalated so that the captain can alert security at the airport to escort the racy couple off.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
