Pushing a flight attendant is a serious federal offense, considered interference with a flight crew, leading to potential arrest, hefty fines (thousands of dollars), and significant prison time (up to 20 years, potentially life if a weapon is involved), plus possible charges for assault or sexual harassment, with flight attendants trained to de-escalate or use self-defense if needed, as it's a major threat to aviation security.
What is the Penalty for Assaulting a Flight Crew Member? Assaulting a flight crew member is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If a dangerous weapon is used during the assault or intimidation, the punishment includes up to life in prison.
10 Things Passengers Do That Annoy Flight Attendants the Most
The 35-in-7 rule applies only to Reserve Flight Attendants and provides that a Reserve may not be scheduled to exceed 35 flight hours in any seven (7) consecutive 24-hour periods.
After reporting valuable information for about 20 minutes, her final words to Woodward were, “I see water. I see buildings. We're flying low, we're flying way too low.” Moments later, the aircraft crashed through the North Tower, killing all aboard.
The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center complex killed 2,753 people, according to the city's official count. Yet 40% of those victims — 1,100 people — have not had any of their remains identified by authorities.
Victims of commercial airline crashes may receive anywhere from $250,000 to several million dollars, depending on the extent of injuries and liability. In cases involving wrongful death, settlement values often increase due to loss of future earnings and emotional trauma to surviving family members.
With experience, senior flight attendants may make around $80,287 annually, and some can earn as much as $115,000 or more per year. Pay is typically hourly and starts when the aircraft door closes, meaning preflight work (like boarding and prep) is often unpaid.
While height is often associated with the ability to become a flight attendant, it's not just about physical appearance—it's about ensuring safety and accessibility for both the crew and passengers.
That's why flight instructors teach a timeless checklist known as the “Five C's” — a set of actions to help pilots remain calm, regain situational awareness, and navigate back to safety. The 5 C's are: Climb, Conserve, Call, Confess, and Comply.
5 be respectful of other passengers. 6 High heels, flip flops, and slides. 7 avoid extremely flammable synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon. 8 Over-sized coats can make economy class feel claustrophobic.
A Code 300 is the term used to convey to air traffic control that a passenger has died on board and to make the necessary arrangements at the airport. To avoid any distress among passengers, flight attendants will often inform each other in the cabin by saying, "We have an angel on board".
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Civil penalties for other acts of interference (like disobeying repeated requests or cursing at a flight attendant) range from $1,000 to $16,000 per incident. In 2022, the FAA imposed its largest fines ever against two unruly passengers—$77,272 and $81,950.
Medical & Fitness Issues
Airlines require good eyesight (with or without correction) and normal hearing. Must have stable blood pressure and no major health issues. Ability to handle long flights, jet lag, and irregular schedules. Conditions like severe asthma, skin allergies, or heart issues can be disqualifying.
So many flight attendants opt to stay at crash pads — temporary housing designed to host multiple crew members in a dorm-style setup. This guide covers every housing option for flight attendants, from crash pads to hotels to corporate housing.
The airline doesn't publicly publish specific height or weight requirements, but they have published information on uniform sizes and generally look for candidates whose height and weight is proportionate.
Flight attendants must be able to reach safety equipment that is usually stored in overhead compartments (overhead compartment). With adequate height, Flight attendants can easily reach and take the equipment when needed.
With a little advance planning, a 350-pound person can have a more enjoyable flying experience. Consider booking tickets on airlines with wider seats, such as JetBlue Airways, or booking multiple seats. Most airlines carry seatbelt extenders for passengers who need extra space.
This is not a healthy mindset. It is possible to live on this minimum wage pay, but it requires discipline, and awareness. It's not always fun, but if you are able to find a balance for yourself between spending, and saving, living independently on what a flight attendant makes, you will give yourself a gift.
To become a flight attendant, you'll generally need a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including English and Maths, at grades 9-4 (A-C), or equivalent qualifications. Most airlines require these core subjects as they're essential for communication, safety calculations, and handling passenger situations.
We have flight attendants who are 30 years old and have to move back in with their parents because they can't afford to live with this job. “Most of our passengers have no idea that we are only paid from the time the door closes until the door opens.”
The odds of a commercial airplane crashing are approximately 0.000001%. You have a 1 in 816,545,929 chance of being killed in a plane crash. To put it into perspective, you have a better chance of winning a Powerball jackpot.
At just 17 years old, Juliane Koepcke survived the impossible. On Christmas Eve 1971, her plane, LANSA Flight 508, was struck by lightning over the Amazon rainforest, breaking apart mid-air. Strapped to her seat, Juliane plummeted over 10,000 feet to the ground and 1/2.
The two largest are labor costs and fuel costs, with fuel costs being the largest short-term factor for airlines. Which Major Expenses Affect Airline Companies?