Real reason flight attendants greet you as you board plane - it's not to be polite

A flight attendant has spilled the beans on the actual reasons behind the friendly welcome passengers get as they step onto a plane. While many seasoned flyers might think cabin crew are simply setting the scene for an enjoyable experience with their beaming smiles and seat guidance, the truth could be more about safety than service.

One TUI staff member, operating out of Stuttgart airport, took to TikTok to reveal in a viral video – that's been viewed a staggering 18.7 million times – that attendants are actually sussing out if passengers are fit to fly during the greeting.

The user, known as MrsMiva on TikTok, shared that the warm reception isn't just hospitality but also a quick assessment to determine whether individuals are "too drunk or sick" to take the journey.

She even goes as far as stating: "Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of kindness but also to check whether you are too drunk or sick to fly?"

Prompted by her candid revelation, others chimed in to confirm this is standard procedure, with some suggesting that it's also a way to identify who might be helpful in case of an emergency.

According to flight attendants, the greeting is more than just a friendly welcome - they're assessing whether passengers are sober enough to fly and identifying potential helpers in an emergency.

One attendant revealed: "We are also picking out good candidates for the event of an emergency."

Meanwhile, passengers shared their own experiences, with some joking about having "really chill" attendants who turned a blind eye to their fragile state.

One confessed: "Lol my flight attendant back from Vegas must have been really chill cause I was NOT in any condition to be on a plane."

Another recalled: "I was once severely hungover and I threw up twice mid-flight. The flight attendants were so helpful. I felt so bad."