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Don’t be a flight knight.
While tipping might seem ubiquitous in every sector, one place you won’t find this custom is the friendly skies. That’s right, giving gratuities to flight attendants is not only uncommon but it’s discouraged by flight experts.
Why? Because flight attendant’s prime directive is keeping everyone safe, not serving drinks and peanut packs.
“Tipping is not part of a flight attendant’s compensation for serving as aviation’s first responders,” Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) international president, said in a statement to Travel and Leisure.
She explained that tips could give the impression that service is predicated on receiving extra cash.
Big tippers could also expect special favors, which could impede flight attendants’ work and therefore potentially jeopardize the safety of passengers and other crew members.
“Our jobs have historically been objectified and sexualized,” Nelson told Travel and Leisure in August. “Is it okay for someone to harass us if they hand us a tip? Obviously not. But it’s not a dynamic we can even entertain.”
One of the few exceptions to the no-tipping rule is Frontier Airlines, which permits and even solicits gratuities for onboard purchases of food and drink.
Naturally, neglecting to tip someone with so many duties — they’re essentially a first responder combined with a server at 30,000 feet — might seem unfair in a world where people are asked to leave gratuities at self-service kiosks.
Fortunately, there are other ways to show crewmembers appreciation outside of a financial transaction.
During the holiday season, passengers can give air hosts and hostesses gift cards — ones to airport vendors are best — as well as food (although flight attendants won’t accept anything that’s not sealed).
Or, rather, “We’ll accept it and throw it out,” clarified ex-United Airlines stewardess Sue Fogwell.
However, one of the best ways to show flight attendants that they’re appreciated is with a simple verbal “thank you” or positive review.
Southwest Airlines even offers a “Commend an Employee” program, in which travelers can leave complimentary messages for airline staffers who went above and beyond.
