Flight attendants face rising abuse, harassment and safety challenges as air rage increases after pandemic

Flight attendants are facing rising levels of abusive behaviour, sexual harassment and workplace stress as incidents of "air rage" have increased sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to union research and accounts from cabin crew.

Crew members say they are increasingly dealing with intoxicated passengers, verbal abuse, physical altercations and passengers refusing to follow safety instructions, adding to the pressures of working in the confined environment of a commercial aircraft, says the Guardian.

The number of reported air rage incidents in the United States reached a record in 2021, exceeding the total reported over the previous three decades combined, according to industry data cited in the sources. The pandemic also introduced disputes over compliance with face mask requirements, creating a new category of onboard conflict.

While pandemic-related restrictions have eased, cabin crew say tensions remain high. One of the most common causes of confrontation is passengers refusing to remain seated during take-off, landing or turbulence, when airlines are responsible for passenger safety.

Crew members also report frequent incidents involving passengers vaping in aircraft toilets despite smoke detection systems. Such incidents can escalate into verbal abuse and, in some cases, arrests after landing.

Alcohol remains a major contributor to disruptive behaviour, according to flight attendants, who say some passengers begin drinking before boarding and continue consuming alcohol throughout the flight.

"Well, drunk Brits – you know how that goes," said Thomas, a 27-year-old flight attendant.

"Anglo-Saxons love to drink. As soon as Brits get to the airport, they start drinking... They drink like they've never drunk before," said Clara, a 26-year-old flight attendant for a low-budget airline.

Female flight attendants report that abuse often extends beyond verbal confrontations. A study by the Unite union found that 34% of its female cabin crew members had experienced sexual assault while at work, while most respondents said they had faced unwanted flirting, sexual remarks or inappropriate touching from passengers, colleagues or managers.

"My job attracts sexual harassment and I'm not sure I'd fully class what I've experienced as assault, but it's very rare that anyone, especially female or female-presenting, hasn't been harassed," said Emma, a veteran flight attendant for a full-service carrier.

The harassment is not always limited to passengers. Clara described confronting a colleague over repeated unwanted physical contact.

"Patrick, we don't really touch each other between colleagues," she said, recounting her response after he repeatedly grabbed her.

Crew members also described disputes among airline staff, including conflicts that became physical.

"I needed to separate the number one [cabin manager] and number two [deputy] on the flight; they were fighting each other, biting and scratching," said Sergei, a 27-year-old budget airline attendant and trainee pilot.

Some male cabin crew members said confrontations involving female colleagues frequently de-escalate when a male attendant intervenes, which they attributed to some passengers refusing to accept the authority of female staff.

Working conditions have also become more demanding because of cost-cutting measures adopted by some airlines, according to crew members.

Budget carriers often require aircraft turnaround times of about 25 minutes, leaving limited time to clean cabins between flights. Flight attendants say they regularly encounter abandoned nappies, human waste and other unhygienic conditions left behind by passengers.

"When you're really exposed to every part of the population, you see that there are some really good people, but there are also completely filthy slobs," Thomas said.

Some crew members also raised concerns about commission-based sales of products such as perfume and alcohol, saying commercial duties can create tension among staff and, in some cases, compete with preparations for safety procedures during critical phases of flight.

"Commission honestly makes people stupid," Clara said, describing situations where cabin managers prioritised onboard sales over safety responsibilities.

Beyond passenger interactions, cabin crew say the job continues to take a physical toll because of jet lag, irregular schedules, early starts and repeated exposure to cabin pressurisation. Some attendants may complete up to four take-offs and landings during a single working day.

"When you do four take-offs and four landings in the same day, it's exhausting. It's not really something you could do for your whole life," Clara said.

Governments have begun considering tougher measures in response to the increase in abusive behaviour. In Britain, authorities have explored proposals to permanently ban abusive passengers from all airlines, rather than allowing them to book flights with another carrier following an incident.