10 things you should never do on a flight, according to a former flight attendant

• I was a flight attendant for two years, and I wish passengers would stop doing certain things. 
• It’s pretty gross to go to the bathroom without shoes on or leave the toilet unflushed. 
• You make everyone’s life harder when you bring too much luggage, and we can’t help you lift it. 

I worked as a flight attendant on domestic and international routes for two years, and I saw all kinds of behavior on planes. 

Here are the top things you should never do on a flight.

The life vests under the seats aren’t yours to steal 

I never thought this would be a problem, but some people think a life vest would be a nice souvenir.

Not only is it stealing, but you could also be putting the next passenger sitting in that seat in danger.

Do not leave the toilet unflushed

Some passengers are completely covered with sweat from carrying too many personal items, backpacks, and carry-ons. 

It’s so much easier to check your luggage and walk on the plane relaxed and stress-free.

Finding a space for everyone’s bag is also not always possible, so your extra items may need to be checked regardless. If you’re worried about paying extra, ask an attendant at the gate. They’re usually happy to check it for free if the flight is full.

Never drink any personal alcohol on board

We catch people drinking mini bottles of alcohol all the time.

Even if you think there isn’t a flight attendant around, you’d be surprised how often other passengers let us know.

It’s prohibited, and if you’re caught, you could be banned from future flights with the airline, so it’s not worth the risk. 

Crew members can’t help you place your carry-on into the overhead bins

You may think that people only place drinks on seat-back trays, but the person before you could’ve slept on it or used it to change a baby’s diaper.

My airline hands out little alcohol wipes during boarding for a reason. Just give the tray a quick wipe when you sit down. 

Never go to the restroom without shoes

The bathroom is probably the dirtiest place on the plane. And all the liquid you see on the floor isn’t just water. 

Plus, if you’re just wearing socks, they’ll be soaked. Who wants that for a whole flight?

Don’t stay silent if you aren’t feeling well

I’ve had passengers feeling lightheaded or having a panic attack, but they were too shy to tell anyone. 

You don’t have to quietly deal with pain or discomfort on your own until landing. Always tell your flight attendant. We might have the training or equipment that can help. 

This story was originally published in February 2022 and most recently updated on August 23, 2024.