Quick Answer
Yes, you can and should give a flight attendant a tip if they provide exceptional service during your flight. While tipping flight attendants is not expected or required, it is a nice way to show your appreciation for their hard work and excellent customer service. A tip of $5-$20 per flight attendant is considered appropriate.
What are the typical ways to tip a flight attendant?
Here are some common methods for tipping flight attendants:
- Cash – Hand the flight attendant cash as you are deplaning and thank them for their service.
- Onboard credit card – Some airlines allow you to charge a tip to your in-flight purchase credit card.
- Gift cards – Give flight attendants a gift card with a monetary value as a thank you.
- Snacks – You can also offer attendants snacks, food, or beverages as a gesture of appreciation.
Cash is often the easiest and most direct way to tip. For credit card or gift card tips, be sure to hand it directly to the flight attendant you want to thank, not just generally to the crew.
Are flight attendants allowed to accept tips?
Yes, flight attendants are permitted to accept tips. While not required or expected, tipping is not prohibited by most airlines and can be a nice way to show your satisfaction with an attendant’s excellent service.
According to American Airlines’ employee manual, attendants may accept tips up to $50 per flight segment. United Airlines also allows tipping crew members up to $50. Policies can vary by airline, but tipping is generally allowed within reasonable amounts.
When is it appropriate to tip a flight attendant?
Here are some situations when it would be appropriate to tip your flight attendant:
- They go above and beyond with customer service, such as being exceptionally friendly, patient, and accommodating.
- They help resolve an issue for you cheerfully and efficiently.
- They take exceptional care of your children or elderly relatives when traveling.
- They provide special assistance due to a disability or impairment.
- They make your flight more enjoyable with their positive attitude and hard work.
Essentially, if a flight attendant notably exceeds your expectations and provides individualized, outstanding service, a tip is a great way to show your gratitude.
How much should you tip a flight attendant?
Most sources recommend tipping flight attendants $5-$20 per crew member, depending on the length of the flight and level of service. For shorter flights, $5 per attendant is considered a generous tip. For longer international or cross-country flights, $10-$20 per flight attendant is more appropriate.
First class passengers typically tip at the higher end of that spectrum, as attendants in premium cabins generally provide more personalized service. However, tipping is ultimately at your discretion, based on your satisfaction and budget. Even a small cash tip of $2-$5 is a kind gesture.
Are there other ways to show appreciation besides money?
If you prefer not to tip with money, there are other thoughtful ways to recognize great service from your flight crew:
- Write a positive comment card or online review and mention the excellent flight attendant by name.
- Send a thank you note to the airline and highlight specific crew members.
- Bring a gift basket or tray of snacks to share with the entire cabin crew.
- Offer sincere verbal appreciation to the flight attendant and their supervisor.
- Use airline mileage points to upgrade or provide a future flight voucher for stand-out attendants.
Simple verbal or written thanks are always appreciated by airline crews and can help reward attendants for jobs well done.
Do flight attendants share their tips?
Most airlines have policies requiring flight attendants to pool any tips received and share them evenly among the entire cabin crew. Individual attendants who were tipped cannot keep the money for themselves.
Sharing ensures fairness, prevents jealousy, and recognizes that quality service is a team effort. The tips are divided up based on criteria like seniority or hours worked. This system lets all attendants benefit from passengers motivated to tip for great service.
Some airlines may allow separate tips to be given to individual attendants, but pooling is the standard practice. If you want to reward just one attendant, compliment cards, gift cards, or other non-cash tips are better options.
Are tips taxable for flight attendants?
Yes, pooled tips given to flight attendants are considered taxable income by the IRS. The tips must be reported by the airline to the government and attendants must pay applicable taxes on the additional income when they file their tax returns.
Individual attendants are not responsible for reporting tips directly to the IRS, as the airline submits tipped income documentation and provides attendants with their Form W-2 wage statements. Proper taxation of tips requires airlines to track and include those payments in flight attendants’ total earnings statements.
Do airlines have tipping guidelines for flight crews?
Many major airlines provide tipping guidance for flight attendants in their company policies or training materials. Some examples:
- American Airlines allows tips up to $50 per segment and requires pooling.
- United Airlines permits tips up to $50 per flight. Flight attendants can suggestively remind passengers to tip.
- Delta Air Lines caps tips at $250 per flight for domestic trips and $500 for international. Must be split evenly.
- Southwest Airlines instructs crews to split tips evenly between entire working crew for flight.
- Alaska Airlines allows tips up to $20 per flight segment and requires pooling among cabin crew.
While details vary between airlines, all have established tipping policies addressing appropriate amounts, pooling, taxes, and procedures. This protects attendants and provides guidance for passengers on gratuity practices.
Are there cultural differences in tipping flight crews?
Tipping customs can vary significantly across different cultures and countries. In some Asian and European countries, tipping flight attendants is uncommon or even considered inappropriate. In Japan specifically, attendants have historically been prohibited from accepting tips.
However, tipping onboard flights in the United States is fairly common and acceptable. Domestically, 15-20% is considered a standard tip amount in the service industry. While tipping flight crews 10-15% would be unusually high, Americans are accustomed to tipping for good service.
On international routes, crew members understand cultural differences in gratuities. Tipping is appreciated, but is not necessarily expected from passengers of all nationalities.
Do you have to tip for special service requests?
Making reasonable special requests for blankets, beverages, or other amenities should not necessarily warrant a tip to your flight attendant. These are common requests that are considered part of an attendant’s normal duties.
However, if you make unusual or complicated demands that require significant extra effort from crew members, a tip is a thoughtful way to thank them for going above and beyond to accommodate you.
Likewise, if attendants provide additional special assistance due to age, health issues, or disabilities without prompting, a tip is a great way to show your appreciation for their initative and care.
Conclusion
While not obligatory, tipping thoughtful flight attendants for excellent service is an increasingly common practice. Cash tips from $5-$20 per crew member are typical, depending on flight length and quality of service.
If attendants notably exceed expectations, a gratuity is a terrific way to recognize their efforts. Be aware cultural tipping customs vary worldwide. Tips must be pooled and are taxable income for attendants.
Simple verbal thanks are always appreciated as well. With attentive, friendly service helping create a enjoyable trip, crew members often deserve extra appreciation from satisfied passengers.