Why Flight Attendants Sit On Their Hands During Takeoff And Landing, According To Experts

Regular travelers might have seen this posture before. As soon as flight attendants finish checking the cabin and buckle themselves in, they often place their hands underneath them.

They tend to sit this way not just during takeoff but also while taxiing and when the plane is landing.

Part of their safety routine involves taking the brace position during takeoff and landing, and that includes placing their hands under their thighs.

Henny Lim, a flight attendant for Cebu Pacific in the Philippines, shared what this position involves: the seatbelt must be fastened tightly, the back should be straight, hands should be placed palms-up under the thighs, arms should stay relaxed, and feet must be flat on the floor.

Cabin crew have to sit in a certain position for taxi, takeoff and landingGetty Stock

“This keeps body movement restricted so that there is less chance of injury if there was an impact.”

Another cabin crew member, Anusha Pratima, shared similar thoughts in a discussion on Quora.

Crew are typically advised to sit on their hands as part of a brace positionGetty Stock

However, Anusha also pointed out that safety guidelines have changed in recent years. These days, some airlines recommend crew members rest their hands on their laps instead of sitting on them.

Even so, she personally sticks with sitting on her hands — and not just for safety. There’s also a comfort factor involved.

Flight attendants have to ensure their own safety, as well as passengers’Getty Stock

For passengers, though, the brace position is slightly different in case of an emergency.

According to Simple Flying, passengers are instructed to ‘bend the upper torso well forward and place your head against the backrest of the seat in front’, which contrasts the more upright position flight attendants maintain.