Ever noticed how flight attendants sit upright, hands tucked under their thighs, during takeoff or landing? It’s not just a habit—it’s actually a crucial safety procedure known as the brace position.
This posture is designed to minimize injury in the event of a sudden impact, hard landing, or emergency. By sitting on their hands, with feet flat on the floor and backs straight, flight attendants anchor themselves to the seat. This prevents their arms from flailing and keeps them secure and stable during the most critical phases of flight.
Beyond personal safety, this position also helps them stay alert and ready to spring into action if something goes wrong. While passengers might be relaxing or distracted, the cabin crew is in “ready mode,” fully focused and trained to respond instantly if needed.
It’s not optional either—aviation safety regulations require flight attendants to adopt this brace position, making it part of their official emergency preparedness routine.
So next time you fly, and see them sitting that way—know that they’re not just resting. They’re protecting themselves and staying ready to protect you.