It’s not just a polite greeting, it’s checking for something more
If you’ve ever wondered why flight attendants greet you with a ‘hello’ as you board the plane, there’s a secret think they’re looking out for.
If you’re a frequent flyer, you’re likely familiar with the friendly greeting you get as you board the plane.
While it might seem like just a simple act of politeness, there’s actually a more important reason behind it. Flight attendants greet passengers with a “hello” as they enter and settle into their seats because it helps them quickly assess whether someone may be unwell or intoxicated.
It’s not uncommon for passengers to indulge in a drink or two before and during the flight, but excessive alcohol consumption can create safety risks for everyone on board. In some cases, a heavily intoxicated passenger may even be removed from the flight or, if things get out of hand, cause the plane to be diverted.
To shed more light on the reason behind the flight attendant’s greeting, Wizz Air flight attendant Iona Iachim took to TikTok to reveal that it’s not just a polite gesture but a safety measure. She explained that the greeting serves to assess whether passengers are too drunk or sick to fly.
Her claims were echoed by another flight attendant from the Hungarian budget airline. In a video captioned “Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of politeness?” fellow crew member Rania elaborated, revealing that the greeting serves a critical purpose: to determine if passengers are fit to fly and capable of handling any emergency situations.
In line with industry standards, flight attendants are also trained to identify ‘able-bodied passengers’ (ABPs), those who could assist in evacuating the aircraft in case of an emergency. So, contrary to what some TikTok users might think, a flight attendant’s ‘hello’ isn’t about flirting—it’s about ensuring safety.
This revelation led to some humorous responses on TikTok, with one person joking, “I always thought it was my devastatingly good looks and awesome personality. Now I’m heartbroken!” Another person shared a story about being shocked they were allowed to board the plane after coming home from Vegas, clearly intoxicated.
But the safety checks don’t end there. Flight attendants also ensure that children, the elderly, and passengers with physical or mental disabilities aren’t seated in exit rows, as they may be unable to assist in an evacuation.
