This is why the flight attendant greets every passenger. It’s not about politeness
A short “hello” reply to a flight attendant’s greeting can say a lot. This is why cabin crew greet passengers.
Greeting travelers on board an airplane may be associated with good manners, but there is another reason why flight attendants greet travelers individually. A Wizz Air flight attendant explained this in a video that has been viewed by over 6.2 million TikTok users.
Welcoming passengers on board
“Did you know that a flight attendant greets you for more than just being polite?” – wrote Rania, a stewardess of the Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air, in the caption under the video. The first visual and verbal contact with a passenger, even a short “good morning”, allows you to quickly assess whether the people boarding the plane are under the influence of alcohol or sick. This allows you to react faster in the event of sudden incidents.
Another flight attendant also confirmed this.
“When we greet passengers at the door, it’s not just about friendliness – we also try to discreetly assess the situation,” says flight attendant Venezia Macias. “We look for signs of alcohol intoxication, suspicious behavior or people who may need additional assistance, such as elderly passengers, mothers with small children or people with disabilities,” she explained.
Passengers selected to help on the plane
It is even more important to select people who can support staff in the event of an emergency. Cabin crew quickly assess who is physically fit and able to provide assistance in times of emergency. The exact terminology may vary by airline, but these people are generally referred to as “Able-Bodied Passengers”.
Flight attendants usually pay attention to passengers sitting in emergency exit rows, and most airlines require crew to verbally check with them whether they are able and willing to assist with an evacuation.
Rachels Nichols, a former flight attendant who worked on long-haul routes for an airline based in the Middle East, says the service is also mindful of travelers with mobility problems and families with young children who would require extra care during a potential evacuation.
