Nervous fliers will be acutely aware of the worry that comes with taking an aircraft, so a pleasant gesture from crew members may be beneficial. 

You may have observed that flight attendants often greet you with a ‘hello’ as you board the plane. 

While polite, flight attendants are great passengers for another reason: 

Flight attendants say “hi” to assist in identifying if a passenger is ill or inebriated. 

I mean, it’s not uncommon for fliers to have a few drinks in the airport bar before boarding, but too much liquor can get you kicked off the flight. 

Wizz Air flight attendant Iona Iachim recently took to TikTok to debate the issue, noting that the greeting as you boarded the plane was not just pleasant but also ‘to assess whether or not you are too inebriated or unwell to travel’. 

These statements were supported by a colleague flight attendant from the Hungarian budget carrier.

In a comment to the film of Rania giving an in-flight announcement, the cabin staff member wrote, “Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of politeness?” 

After a few seconds of anticipation, Rania stated that their greeting is ‘to assess whether you are too intoxicated or unwell to travel’. 
According to industry guidelines, flight attendants are looking for ‘able-bodied passengers’ (ABPs) who can assist with ‘evacuating the aircraft’. 

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So, no, the flight attendant doesn’t think you’re lovely and wants to take you out on a date just because you said ‘hello’, which has upset several TikTok users.” 

“I’ve always assumed it was my stunningly amazing appearance and wonderful attitude. “Now I’m heartbroken,” one individual stated. 

A second person continued: “I came home from Vegas drunk with my cousins, and I was so shocked they even allowed us on the plane.” 
In addition to this welcome, flight attendants aim to place specific passengers in the exit row. 

Flight attendants are unlikely to place children, the elderly, or those with physical or mental problems in the exit row, as they could complicate an evacuation.