Flight Attendant Shares Things You Should Never Do on a Plane

The life jackets under the seats are not yours and cannot be stolen

I never thought this would be a problem, but some people think a life jacket would be a nice souvenir.

Not only is this stealing, but you could also be endangering the next passenger sitting in that seat.

Don’t leave the toilet unflushed

If you are unsure about how to use the airplane toilet, don’t hesitate to ask your flight attendants.

You don’t fly every day and there are so many buttons. But don’t go out hoping no one will notice you.

The plane is a very tight space. We usually have one bathroom in the front and two in the back, so everyone can see when you haven’t flushed the toilet.

It may not be a good idea to take medications that make you sleepy during the flight.

When I started flying in 2019, I noticed that a passenger seemed unconscious. I tried to wake him up by shaking him, but he didn’t respond. So I panicked and called my colleagues for help.

I was going to ask a medical professional to come on board or provide first aid. But it turned out that one passenger was a heavy sleeper and had apparently taken sleeping pills.

You might not want to scare your crew by taking anti-drowsiness medication during a flight.

Carrying too much luggage on the plane makes life more difficult for everyone.

Some passengers are completely covered in sweat from carrying too many personal items, backpacks and carry-on luggage.

It’s so much easier to check your bags and board the plane relaxed and stress-free.

It’s not always possible to find space for all your luggage, so you may need to check your extra items. If you’re worried about paying extra, ask a gate attendant. They’ll usually be happy to check them for free if the flight is full.

Never drink personal alcohol on board

We catch people drinking mini bottles of alcohol all the time.

Even if you think there’s no flight attendant around, you’d be surprised how often other passengers let us know.

It’s illegal, and if caught you could be banned from any future flights with the airline, so it’s not worth taking the risk.

Crew members cannot assist you in placing your carry-on baggage in the overhead compartments

Sometimes passengers ask flight attendants for help with lifting their hand luggage into the overhead bins. But this is not part of the cabin crew’s responsibilities.

If the bag is too heavy, it is better to check it.

Do not go to the toilet when the flight attendants are performing a safety demonstration

It is perfectly possible to go to the bathroom before takeoff. But when you see flight attendants performing a safety demonstration, you must remain seated and wait for the seat belt signal to go off.

When passengers stand up during the safety demonstration, we have to stop, wait, and start over from the beginning when everyone is back in their seats.

If this is an emergency, call a flight attendant and we will assist you.

Using the backrest trays without wiping them is not a good idea.

You might think that people only put drinks on the trays in the back of seats, but the person in front of you could have slept on it or used it to change a baby’s diaper.

My airline hands out alcohol wipes during boarding for a reason. Just wipe down the tray table when you sit down.

Never go to the toilet without shoes

The bathroom is probably the dirtiest place on the plane. And not all the liquid you see on the floor is just water.

Plus, if you only wear socks, they will get soaked. Who wants that for an entire flight?

Don’t stay silent if you don’t feel well

I’ve had passengers who felt dizzy or had a panic attack, but were too shy to tell anyone.

You don’t have to endure pain or discomfort in silence until you land. Always tell your flight attendant. We may have the training or equipment to help you.

This story was originally published in February 2022 and most recently updated on August 23, 2024.