A flight attendant has revealed the real reason why they greet passengers with a “hello” when boarding a flight.
Ever wonder why flight attendants flash that big smile when you step on the plane? Spoiler: it’s not just to make you feel welcome while you wrestle your carry-on down the aisle.
It might seem like a simple gesture to make you feel welcome before takeoff, but according to the cabin crew, there’s much more to it than just customer courtesy.
Rania, a flight attendant who frequently flies across Europe, took to TikTok to reveal what is actually happening during that brief moment of eye contact.
In a video that has amassed more than 11.8 million views, Rania - who goes by the handle @itsmekikooooo - explained: “Your flight attendant greets you, not only out of politeness, but also to check whether you are too drunk or sick to fly.”
That's right, as passengers rush to find their seats, cabin crew are quietly assessing each person’s fitness to fly, checking for signs of intoxication or illness that could pose a risk mid-flight.
But that’s not all, as Rania revealed that they are also sizing up passengers to identify who might be capable of helping out in case of an emergency.
The TikToker isn’t alone in confirming this behind-the-scenes assessment, as Shrey P - a flight attendant who claims to have worked for five different airlines - shared on Quora that this quick scan covers a surprising number of details - all in a matter of seconds.
Shrey explained that crew members take note of:
- What kind of clothes you’re wearing
- Whether you’re traveling alone or with someone
- How patient you are while waiting in line
- Whether you appear intoxicated
- What kind of book you’re reading (medical journals can signal a potential helper)
- Whether you might be an able-bodied passenger who could assist in an emergency
“The list can go on, which usually happens in a few minutes of boarding time,” Shrey added.
TikTok user Kat Kamalani, also a former flight attendant, echoed these insights, explaining in a video: “When you walk on the plane and see our happy, smiley face, we're actually looking you up and down and trying to find our able-bodied people. So these are people who are going to help us in an emergency.”
She noted that flight attendants are on the lookout for military personnel, firefighters, nurses, and doctors who might step in to assist during a medical emergency or evacuation.
Myriam Frafar, who works as a flight attendant for German airline Condor, also shared why the crew asks for your boarding pass during boarding. She confirmed that it’s more than about directing you to your seat.
“I check if they are drunk, drugged, sick, angry, or afraid. That is extremely important, as if I have the possibility to avoid any kind of troubles over the Atlantic, then I address it on ground. I say ‘Hello, welcome on board,’ and I listen to how they respond,” Frafar explained.
So, the next time you’re greeted with a warm “hello” as you board, know that it’s not just about making you feel welcome - it’s a safety protocol in action, ensuring that everyone on board is fit to fly.