Flight attendants can accept tips on this airline – but others can’t

While tipping may seem ubiquitous in any sector, one place you won’t find this custom is the friendly skies. That’s right, tipping flight attendants is not only unusual, it’s discouraged by aviation experts.

Why? Because the flight attendant’s prime directive is to keep everyone safe, not serve drinks and peanut packets.

“Union tipping is not part of flight attendant compensation for serving as aviation first responders,” Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), said in a statement to Travel and Leisure.

She explained that tips can give the impression that the service is based on getting extra money.

Large carriers may also expect special favors, which can interfere with flight attendants’ work and therefore endanger 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 tip us? Clearly not. But it’s not a dynamic we can entertain.â€

One of the few exceptions to the no-tipping rule is Frontier Airlines, which allows and even requires gratuities for in-flight food and beverage purchases.

Of course, 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 required to leave gratuities at self-service kiosks. service.

Fortunately, there are other ways to show crew member appreciation outside of a financial transaction.

During the holiday season, passengers can give gift cards to hosts and hostesses—best for airport vendors—as well as food (though flight attendants won’t accept anything that isn’t stamped).

Or, rather, “We’ll take it and throw it out,” explained former United Airlines flight attendant Sue Fogwell.

However, one of the best ways to show stewards that they are appreciated is with a simple verbal “thank you” or a positive comment.

Southwest Airlines even offers a “Praise an Employee” program, in which travelers can leave free messages for airline staff who went above and beyond.