Former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Skye Taylor recently revealed that influencers are the most irritating passengers to deal with on flights. Taylor, who worked in the airline industry for 16 years, shared her experiences in an interview, noting that the behavior of these social media personalities, particularly on routes to destinations like Dubai and Las Vegas, can be quite difficult. She explained that these passengers often haven’t paid full price for their tickets and can be more demanding and less respectful compared to other travelers. In contrast, she mentioned that true superstars and wealthy individuals are usually polite and respectful.
Taylor also highlighted that alcohol consumption and the use of sleeping pills, like Valium, can exacerbate difficult situations on flights. She noted that passengers, particularly those from places like Los Angeles, would often take sleeping tablets before boarding and then drink alcohol during the flight. This combination frequently leads to passengers acting out of character, making them more challenging to manage. Taylor emphasized the importance of vigilance among the crew in monitoring these changes in behavior to prevent potential issues.
Maintaining order and ensuring smooth operations in the aircraft cabin can be exhausting for the flight crew, according to Taylor. She praised Virgin Atlantic for providing substantial support to its crew in dealing with passenger incidents, including security-related issues. However, she expressed concern for flight attendants working on budget airlines, who, she believes, do not receive the same level of support. Taylor pointed out the increasing number of incidents involving alcohol on flights, suggesting that the current environment might even encourage such behavior, which she views as dangerous.
In addition to dealing with unruly passengers, Taylor also discussed the challenges of managing emergency situations on board. She mentioned that while the crew must handle these situations effectively, they also need to avoid alarming other passengers, which adds an additional layer of difficulty to their job. Taylor’s insights shed light on the often unseen challenges flight attendants face, particularly when dealing with challenging passengers like influencers and those affected by alcohol and sleeping pills.
