Reasons Flight Attendants Are Prohibited from Accepting Tips
A more pertinent question might be, "What reasons are there not to tip flight attendants?"
The discussion surrounding tipping practices continues to be a hot topic, but there’s one situation where tipping is unnecessary: on airplanes. While you might feel inclined to offer a tip to your flight attendant for providing food and beverages, we recommend against doing so. The reason? The primary responsibility of a flight attendant is to ensure your safety, rather than just serving refreshments.
"Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), stated that tipping is not included in a flight attendant’s pay for their role as the first responders in aviation."
She emphasizes that taking tips might give the impression that the quality of service depends on receiving additional money, which could compromise a flight attendant’s role as a safety professional. By refusing tips, flight attendants can uphold neutrality and concentrate on the safety and well-being of every passenger.
Can flight attendants receive tips? The answer varies by airline; while most airlines typically advise against flight attendants accepting gratuities, they don’t outright prohibit it. Alternatively, you can show appreciation to your flight attendants with small tokens, such as individually wrapped candies or a modest Starbucks gift card.
If a flight attendant provides exceptional service, you can express your appreciation by leaving feedback with their airline. Be sure to include their name, your flight number, the date of your journey, and a kind remark.
One of the simplest things you can do is to show courtesy. A representative from United Airlines shared with Travel + Leisure, "We really value it when our passengers recognize the effort our flight attendants put in daily, and a simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way."