Real reason flight attendant welcome you on planes - it's nothing to do with manners

Real reason flight attendant welcome you on planes - it's nothing to do with mannersA flight attendant has shared the little-known reason passengers are welcomed onboard planes - and it has nothing to do with mannersCommentsTravelEmma Mackenzie Features Writer14:57, 04 Apr 2026Updated 14:57, 04 Apr 2026View ImageFlight attendants have a wealth of flying knowledge(Image: Peter Bannan via Getty Images)A flight attendant has lifted the lid on a trade secret about the moment passengers board a plane. The little known fact explains why passengers are welcomed at the aircraft doors during boarding.‌Most air travellers are well acquainted with the customary warm reception at the plane doors, which typically involves broad smiles and even some direction on locating their allocated seat. The most widespread assumption is that this is simply a display of good customer service, with the flight attendants, the public face of any airline, setting the tone with courtesy and decency.‌Another presumption is that the welcome is intended to set passengers up for an enjoyable flight experience, or perhaps verify boarding passes one last time. However, one serving flight attendant claims that hospitality is not the primary driving force behind the warm greeting. The genuine reason for the friendly reception is to carry out a visual assessment of passengers from head to toe before take-off.‌READ MORE: UK passport fees to rise in April 2026 with new rule changeREAD MORE: Ryanair, TUI and easyJet ban everyday item from luggage with new rulesIn a now- viral TikTok clip, MrsMiva - who claims to work for TUI out of Stuttgart airport - has revealed that flight attendants use the boarding process to assess whether passengers are fit to fly. According to the content creator, flight attendants are checking to establish whether passengers may be "too drunk or sick to fly".In the caption accompanying the video, MrsMiva also clarifies that the greeting enables attendants to identify...