As flight attendants, we live and breathe customer service. Day in and day out, we’re asked to bring patience, calm, and compassion to thousands of passengers—each with their own story. But in the middle of delays, long duty days, and the pressures that come with our job, it’s easy to forget one simple truth: kindness doesn’t just belong to our passengers. It belongs to each other, too.
Every Passenger Has a Story
When a passenger snaps at us, or when someone breaks down crying mid-flight, it’s natural to feel frustrated. But pause for a second—what if that person is saying goodbye to someone for the last time? What if they’ve just received difficult news, or they’re traveling under immense stress? The truth is, we never really know what someone is going through. And the same can be said for our coworkers.
We Know Each Other Better Than We Think
Most of us have been flying together for a year or more. By now, we can often tell when something is “off” with a fellow crew member—the way they’re quieter than usual, less engaged, or simply not themselves. That’s our cue.
Taking just a few seconds to ask, “How are you?” or “How’s your day going?” can make a bigger difference than you imagine. Sometimes, those small check-ins are exactly what someone needs to feel seen and supported.
My Experience with Kindness at Work
I’ve been on both ends of kindness in the crew world. I’ve been sick on a trip and had coworkers show up for me in the simplest yet most powerful ways—offering soup, vitamins, and water. And I’ve done the same for others, making sure they had what they needed to get through a tough day.
These aren’t grand gestures, but they are reminders that behind the uniforms, we’re all human beings who spend a lot of our lives together in the air. When you treat coworkers with kindness, you’ll find that they are always there for you in return.
Conflict Happens—But Growth Comes After
We’ve all had disagreements or uncomfortable moments with coworkers. Maybe it was during boarding stress, a galley misunderstanding, or just one of those days when patience ran thin. Instead of carrying that with us, let’s reflect:
- Why did this happen?
- What could I have done differently?
- What can we do to move forward?
Conflict doesn’t have to divide us—it can actually help us understand each other better, if we’re willing to learn from it.
Why Kindness Matters More Than Ever
Our company promotes “Caring” as one of its values, but kindness shouldn’t just be a corporate slogan. It should be something we live out—not only with our passengers, but with each other. Because at the end of the day, our workplace is stronger when we lift each other up.
The long days, the unexpected challenges, the emotional passengers—we can handle it all better when we know our crew has our back.
So next time you’re on a trip, take a moment. Ask your flying partner how they’re doing. Notice when someone’s energy is off. Offer a kind word, a coffee, or even just a smile.
Believe me, kindness goes a long way. And up here in the skies, we need each other more than ever!