Flight Attendants Advise How You Can Be “The Perfect Passenger” — And Does Delta Treat Crew “Like Children”?

Ever wondered what it takes to be the perfect airline passenger? (Hint: it’s not that difficult.) Curious what some crews think of certain planes? How do airlines treat their cabin crews?

Some flight attendants took to the Delta subreddit for a Q & A session. Here are a few we thought were particularly interesting.

Don’t Dilly-Dally During Boarding — And Keep Your Hands to Yourself

Redditor “Agile-Employment-881” asked, “What is the one thing passengers could do (but often don’t) that would make the flight better for you and for other passengers?”

“SaltMovie2747” (the Delta flight attendant who started the Q & A sesh) responded:

Honestly boarding is often the most stressful part of the flight. If passengers were more mindful during boarding it would help us and everyone else significantly. Being prepared for the flight and taking your seat promptly makes you just about the perfect passenger! Boarding is not the time for unnecessary requests (taking trash while we are trying to close bins or complaining about random things to us while we are trying to brief you in the exit row, etc) or to be blocking the aisle looking through your bags in the overhead:) It can be the little things!

“xphyria” (who also appears to be a flight attendant) added, “I can’t stand it when people hold up boarding to get stuff from their bags.”

Oh, and one more thing:

This comes from “Cassie_Bowden.”

(P)lease do not touch the FAs. Use your words or the call light to get our attention.

Funfetti5 says:

Pleasee do not poke me in the back to take your garbage.

717s: Not So Popular

The Boeing 717 might be a fun ride for some passengers. But some flight attendants aren’t big fans.

Cassie_Bowden (who lists the A220, A321neo, and the A339 as their favorites) flat out says:

Personally, I hate it and bid (to) avoid it even though my base doesn’t fly it.

“ilikethunderstorms” (also a fan of the A321neo) opines:

Personally I dislike it the most. I’ve worked the 717 as a ramp agent, gate agent, and flight attendant. As a ramp agent, it’s old has a really low and beaten up metal cargo bins, so without knee pads you hurt your knees easily and always need to bend over/sit. You also can’t use the nice modern loading equipment because the engine blocks the cargo door. As a gate agent you will basically always need to check bags because it runs out of bin space so fast, so you’re always making PAs and having to force check bags. As a FA is loud, old, has tiny Jumpseats, minimal galley space, no IFE (manual safety demos), weird aisle transition from first to main cabin that’s annoying for the carts, etc. Lots of us want them gone but DL outright owns them so they’re money makers.

So there you have it.

I found it interesting that the A321neo was a favorite aircraft. I spoke with some flight attendants who didn’t like the lack of galley space. I love hearing these different perspectives from people who know the planes so well!

RELATED: Our First Look Inside the Brand New Delta A321neo!

Delta Treats Flight Attendants “Like Children”

Here’s another one where I’m sure there are differing perspectives and opinions:

“FarWish7785” asks, “How is the internal (Delta) company culture at the moment? Is there a push to get back to pre-pandemic levels of service & operational reliability?”

xphyria offers this bleak take:

Among FAs, honestly it’s not so great at the moment. Management sent us an email basically treating us like children, put significantly more people on reserve, and denied half of personal time off requests for April. Morale is somewhat low right now.

That stinks.

As passengers, do what you can to boost their morale: board quickly and don’t touch the flight attendants — especially if you’re on a 717.

Thanks to all the flight attendants who keep us safe!

(You can find the rest of the Q & A here.)