Do Flight Attendants LOVE or HATE This Viral Passenger Trend?

Flight attendants are all about making your travel as comfortable as possible, making it hard to get a read on them sometimes. With that said, we’re here to provide some clarity.

The internet has a way of making just about anything a trend, and one that’s been making the rounds for some time now is passengers bringing small gifts for flight attendants. We’re talkin’ small stuff like lip balm, chocolates, Starbucks gift cards, and even mini goodie bags. The idea is to show appreciation for the crew — but how do flight attendants actually feel about it? We checked with our resident flight attendant friends and found out!

The Verdict: Greatly Appreciated, But Not Expected

Overall, the consensus from flight attendants is that these small gifts are a kind and thoughtful gesture! Attendants certainly don’t expect them, however, so no hard feelings if you aren’t showering your attendants with goodies.

One of our flight attendant friends said, “I always think it’s a very kind gesture and am very appreciative. No one has to do anything, but it’s nice that someone thought of us as a part of their trip and went out of their way to plan ahead and get something for us. Love is a very strong word — as of course I’d love something every flight, who wouldn’t? But I would say it’s definitely greatly appreciated!”

Another flight attendant echoed this sentiment, saying, “Greatly appreciated! Not expected, but grateful!” These kinds of gifts are always a pleasant surprise, and they can put a smile on your flight attendant’s face.

Do Flight Attendants Feel Pressured to Give Special Treatment?

One of the concerns with this trend is whether passengers expect something in return — kind of like the $20 at a Las Vegas hotel. Some folks feel that giving gifts to your flight attendant may result in an upgrade, free drinks, or extra snacks. Of course, upgrades are incredibly limited to begin with, since time and spatial limitations are ever-present on a flight. But that hasn’t discouraged the idea that gift-giving is a form of bribery.

“Unfortunately, I’m sure some flight attendants probably think that of the guests as well,” one flight attendant admitted.

That said, most flight attendants we spoke to don’t feel like passengers are angling for perks. In fact, one flight attendant shared, “I’ve never felt like anyone has ever expected anything from me. I always do whatever I can to make their flight more enjoyable if I can, though! Whether that be some extra snacks we may have leftover from a long-haul flight or just having a nice conversation with them and seeing if there’s anything I can do for them — but that’s my choice, and I’m happy to do so!”

What Kinds of Gifts Do Flight Attendants Love?

If you’re thinking about getting in on this trend, small, thoughtful items seem to be the way to go.

“I’ve gotten things like boxes of chocolates, candy bars, Starbucks gift cards, donuts, and goodie bags with little flashlights, pens, gum, and candies in them. It more often than not makes my day a little better, and every little moment of happiness helps,” one flight attendant shared.

Another flight attendant said, “My husband is (a flight attendant), and he loves small things like candy, trinkets, or small gift cards!”

Should You Bring a Gift for Your Flight Attendant?

At the end of the day, bringing a small gift for your flight attendants isn’t necessary, but if you feel like doing it, they’ll most likely appreciate it. The key is to keep expectations low — give because you want to, not because you’re hoping to score an extra snack or a better seat.

As one flight attendant put it, “I’d like to give an extra snack or something IF I remember and have the time — which isn’t always. But the least I try to do is give a personal thank you.”

So, will this trend stick around? Who knows! But for now, it’s safe to say that if you choose to participate, your flight attendants will likely be smiling behind those beverage carts.

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What do you think about this trend? Would you bring a small gift for your flight attendants? Let us know in the comments!

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