The First 9 Things Flight Attendants Notice About You When You Board a Plane

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(Image credit: James Nord for Damsel in Dior)

Sure, opening an airline credit card or using your points can help you secure a free flight upgrade. But as Business Insider reports, making a good impression on the flight attendants can substantially increase your chances. Armed with this knowledge, a Quora user asked experienced flight attendants what they notice about passengers as they board the plane. While plenty of current and former flight attendants offered their answers, user Shreyas P., who has been a flight attendant on five different major airlines, summed up the gist of their answers nicely. This is what a flight attendant takes note of as you board a plane: 

1. What you're wearing.

2. What kind of bags you're carrying.

3. If you're travelling alone or with someone.

4. How patient you are while waiting in the long line during boarding.

5. If you're intoxicated.

6. If you're a frequent traveller.

7. What kind of book you're carrying or reading.

8. If you give a helping hand to those in need.

9. If you're carrying food with you.

Simply put, they attempt to determine whether or not you're an experienced, well-mannered traveller. User Kimberly Sullivan, a flight attendant of 24 years, echoed this sentiment, adding that she always notices dress, body language, and temperament: "We can also detect if they are experienced customers by the way they board the plane. If they are holding up the aisle and have tunnel vision, we know they are rookie travellers."

Head over to the Quora thread for more insight.

Freelance Contributor

Kelsey Clark is a freelance writer and content strategist based in Detroit. She got her start in editorial in New York City as MyDomaine's lifestyle editor and has since gone full-time freelance. She now contributes toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , THE/THIRTY, Domino, Glamour, The Zoe Report, Apartment Therapy, and more, in addition to working with brands such as Bloomscape and EyeSwoon on content strategy and copywriting. She's written about fashion, interior design, health and wellness, pop culture, food, travel, politics, and professional development, but she'd consider the first three verticals her main "beats." She's also incredibly passionate about mental health awareness and hopes to help eradicate the social stigma through storytelling and education. When she's not writing, you can find her scouring thrift stores for Levi's 501s, picking up a new vintage piece for her apartment, or exploring new restaurants and bars across Detroit.