Flight Attendants Share Why First/Business Class Passengers Are Worse Than Economy

by Adam

According to several anonymous flight attendants, first and business class passengers are far worse than those at the back of the plane. The article notes what I think a lot of us realize (with regards to US and European carriers anyway), most flight attendants prefer to work in economy – it’s less work and the passengers are less needy. Some do select first / business as the lead flight attendant gets paid more, but is also typically assigned to the front of the plane.

The attendants say that domestically New York is home to some of the worst passengers, especially on JFK-LAX, JFK-PAP, and any flight to Florida.

So how bad is it up front? Flight attendants shared their complaints with The Independenta few are below, but check out all their stories in the full article here:

“The worst was an obese man who needed to pee but couldn’t fit in the lavatory and threatened to pee on his seat. The crew had to hold up blankets in the galley, and he took his trousers off and peed into a cup.”

“Everyone thinks they’re the most important person in the world. I once had a fortysomething male passenger who said he was a picky eater and asked me to remove the almonds from his mixed nuts, the shaved parmesan from his salad and the cilantro from his tabouleh.”

“There are too many times to count where people get on board and just hand me coats and say, ‘Seat 3E and I’ll take a vodka cranberry’,”sometimes passengers tell me I am not to talk to them, just give them the meal of their choice and keep their glass filled any time it gets low.”

AA flight attendants

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12 comments

Cj March 17, 2017 - 5:17 pm

So, if the fat man were a coach passager the flight attendants would just have declared him a flight threat and have him handcuffed to the seat?…

Conclusion is that flight attendants don’t like first class passengers because they still have to treat them with some respect?

What the nerve, don’t passengers know only flight attendants are supposed to be rude and say “chicken or beef” before tossing whichever they want at you?

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Rufus T.Firefly March 18, 2017 - 3:54 pm

Fu. Flight attendants are there to save your ass, not kiss it.

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Levy Flight March 17, 2017 - 7:31 pm

Just because someone is traveling in first class does not mean they are a first class person.

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B agarwal March 17, 2017 - 10:33 pm

Though, first class travellers expect much attention but still their behaviour and demanded must be human and justified as bless after all flight attendants are also human being and expect respectable behaviour from passengers

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Shannon March 18, 2017 - 1:34 am

these flight attendants doesn’t seem to understand these are part of their jobs..that why U.S carriers service are so bad

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Prasanth March 18, 2017 - 2:54 am

Fat man peeing in a cup!!!
That’s funny right there! !!!!!!
Buhahaha!

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Jay March 18, 2017 - 4:18 am

I don’t see anything wrong with these requests.

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USAJerry March 18, 2017 - 7:38 am

Sounds like these flight attendants have encountered people with high post counts on FlyerTalk.

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H k maheshwari March 18, 2017 - 2:22 pm

Fools does not have to show horns on their head

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Udaya kiran March 19, 2017 - 12:43 am

Please give respect to each human being…Treat them in good manner…

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Dean Pereira March 20, 2017 - 6:34 am

I feel for flight attendants. Ive met some truly friendly, amiable, kindhearted flight attendants over the years. Ive met fewer fussy, crude, unempathetic, or rude flight attendants. Once in a while, you meet the no nonsense, service without a smile, business at hand type flight attendant. You know, everybody has their sh*tty days. So I give them the benefit of the doubt!

I say Thank You every single time… on an airplane, at a restaurant, at a coffee shop, wherever. And I MEAN it.

Try giving a compliment. Giving someone a compliment is like pouring water on a plant and watching it flower or grow. Please, try it! Tell the clerk at your convenience store, “I like your sweater”.

I dunno people… my job s*cks, I hate it, and I know flight attendants aren’t making F-You money by any stretch. So be nice. Just bc you have $200 and a pair of sweats to cozy up on an airplane -it doesn’t give anyone the right to speak down. If you’re in F or J class (company dime or miles -you’re no better).

Lol, I had to laugh though, NY, MIA, and LAX. Hah!

Peace & Love, Peace & Love,
Ringo

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Sab December 10, 2017 - 1:48 am

I’m not surprised. I used to work as a welcome agent in a Parisian airport and God, at least 85-90% of business and first class passengers were disrespectful, arrogant and rude. You could actually guess they were travelling in business/first class from afar, not due to their classy appearance (also proving you can’t buy elegance, class and/or good looks) but due to their attitude. I would greet them with a smile “Hello Sir/Madam” and they would just reply “Business!”. To which I couldn’t help replying “That’s what I thought. “. Before I quit, I had come to the point that those people are a massive waste of space (and I still believe so).
However, they were still exceptions of course. You definitely CAN be a pleasant first class passenger. But those were rare…

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