Should you tip your flight attendant? This question has come to many people’s minds, and one airline in particular has made headlines over their answer to the question. In theory, it is a very sensible question to ask. Throughout North and South America, it is typical, and in many cases expected, that you tip workers in the service industries when they serve you. Flight attendant is certainly a service position, so why should it be any different than tipping your waiter?
There are varying opinions within the airlines industry regarding tips and gratuities. Frontier Airlines made news for adding a tipping option when passengers order in-flight food and beverages. Flight attendants just became eligible for tips on individual sales on the first day of this year.
On the flip-side, many airlines are against tipping altogether. Allegiant Air has an official policy against tipping under any circumstances. Southwestern Airlines and American Airlines have instead opted to create rewards programs where passengers recognize the crew. Other airlines offer different ways to indirectly tip or different reasons to not accept tips at all, while some seem indifferent on tips.
The topic of flight attendants being tipped is also controversial in part due to the fact that cabin crew positions are primarily safety roles. Cabin crew are all trained in safety and security, as well as service. Some in the industry have argued that base pay cannot be variable in positions where safety is part of the job description. So in future, feel free to tip where it is allowed or encouraged, but don’t feel obliged to do so elsewhere. Also don’t be surprised if flight attendants on certain airlines refuse your tips.
