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Home » United Airlines » A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant
Flight AttendantUnited AirlinesVideos

A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 3, 2018November 14, 2023 9 Comments

a woman working on an airplane

United Airlines has created a video which recounts a “typical” day in the life of four FAs.

It is highly choreographed, but I still enjoyed watching it. As much as we passengers love to complain, it has been a long time since I have encountered on grumpy FA (on United or any airline). While I often do not sense the enthusiasm posited in the video, most FAs display a positive attitude before passengers.

One thing that struck me in the video is at that three FAs were asked what makes a great FA. Their answers:

Kimberly:

The quality that a great flight attendant possesses is having the natural spirit of service. When I’m on the aircraft, I treat all passengers as though they were guests at my home.

Dana:

A great flight attendant possess qualities such as being gracious, being friendly, being patient, being kind, an also in being professional, in taking pride in your appearance and putting on the uniform every morning.

Danielle:

The thing I would tell new hire flight attendants is really to come to work ready to work in your full uniform. When I put it on every day, it kind of feels like a little special event. It brings pride to my job so I love wearing the uniform.

Oh Kimberly, if that were always the case, United would be the best airline in the world.

CONCLUSION

Again, a very corporate video, yet still worth watching. I still cringe when I hear FAs say, “We are here primarily for your safety,” but let’s not forget we often overlook good service.

Another great profile: Business Insider did a story on Denver-based FA Robert “Bingo” Bingochea who I have had the pleasure of flying with before. This story brings out his love for his job, something that is infectious.

(H/T: Point Me to the Plane)

Edited to add: As a reader reminded me, SWISS sets the standard for FA videos:

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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9 Comments

  1. Jack Reply
    April 3, 2018 at 10:00 am

    Flew Economy SIN-SFO in February. I go back to the galley to get a Diet Coke. All the FAs are sitting around talking. One looks up at me and says “what do you want”. Pretty grumpy to me.

  2. rjb Reply
    April 3, 2018 at 10:57 am

    They should have included the flight attendants sitting round for most of the flight, complaining about management, bad-mouthing the passengers and chowing don on the business class meals. Then there would have been some resemblance to the United reality of highly unionized worked who actually don’t give a hoot who think the company exists solely to serve their needs.

  3. Ben Reply
    April 3, 2018 at 11:32 am

    You will NEVER guess which airline uses that exact song as their boarding music!! I bet United wouldn’t have picked it if they realised!

  4. Roland Scheckter Reply
    April 3, 2018 at 2:11 pm

    Compared to the SWISS-video from a year or two back, this was unsatisfyingly bland and extremely superficial (at best).

    • Matthew Reply
      April 3, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      It’s true…that SWISS video was amazing:

      http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/02/16/you-must-watch-this-swiss-video/

  5. JoEllen Reply
    April 3, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    United needs to videotape FA’s at random, not people who have been made up like models and probably choreographed for the video weeks or months in advance. Seems the most emphasis was on how they can travel and see the world – a great perk indeed. Go film the overweight, sloppily dressed flight attendants with nary a smile or kind word – everyone onboard is treated like an interruption to their day…..unthankful when all they cry about is a lousy salary – as they make their $50,000 – $100,000 a year (with overtime). Not impressed. Ever.

  6. JoeMart Reply
    April 3, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    This article reminded me a scene from the sitcom “The middle”. Sue was trying hard to engage her distant roommate in conversation when she replied understanding Sue wanting to be close. But all she wanted was to graduate from nursing school as soon as possible because she hated dealing with people.

  7. emercycrite Reply
    April 4, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    ““We are here primarily for your safety.”

    That is just something you would never hear on an Australian, Asian or Middle Eastern airline.

  8. Paolo Reply
    April 6, 2018 at 8:39 am

    Within 10 years this job won’t exist, having been replaced by robots …with the consequent lower fares and better service.

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