I'm very pro-gratuity but I've never tipped flight attendants because I've always been under the impression that it is not appropriate. I have on occasion given them "Above & Beyond" certificates, written letters of praise and/or discreetly offered a box of chocolates or a souvenir to a few exceptional flight attendants.

My first job was a "Boxboys and Carry-out Personnel Receive No Pay Except Your Tips" remuneration. I'll never forget the exact wording of those signs, even though nearly forty years (four decades) have come and gone. However, I feel that a "Gratuities Gladly Accepted" policy in the air would not be feasible, especially at a time when service and amenities are perceived to have decreased. Would we tip for all drinks, only alcoholic beverages, meal service, snack service or a glass of water? Or what about requests such as a blanket, pillow or headset? And if not, why not? Or assistance with carry-on luggage or those special requests??? To tip or not to tip, that is the question.

Where would it begin, where would it end? I just don't know!

There would be animosity from both the passengers and the flight attendants. The passengers for being expected to tip and the flight attendants that didn't receive the expected gratuities from the passengers they serve and protect. Would the flight attendants have to share a portion of their gratuities with ground service personnel that stocked these items or with the purser? Restaurant wait staff typically have to share their tips with the bus staff and sometimes even with the chefs or the owner! It would just invite an attitude problem for everyone involved in this equation. And it may take much more than an attitude adjustment to remedy.


I believe strongly in doing the right thing for the situation I am in. I always try to follow the behavior and culturally accepted values of the country, location or area, at that given moment, regardless of what the norm is in my home country.

Flight attendants deserve to be better compensated. Tipping is not the solution.