The Ultimate Guide To Finding Gifts For Flight Attendants
Flight attendants have one of the toughest jobs in the world - not only do they have to deal with demanding passengers on a daily basis, but they also spend most of their time away from home.
Often, they could be working all day every day so your kind gesture will be highly appreciated and remembered for years to come.
We know you want a list of the best gifts for flight attendants, so we've picked out some fun gift ideas that will put a smile on any cabin crew member's face. Plus there are plenty of ways to show you care without breaking the bank too - just scroll down and find something that suits your budget!
How We Choose
We know how hard it is to decide what gifts to choose for flight attendants, (especially if this is the first flight attendant you have known) so we have read hundreds and hundreds of online reviews and came up with this list of the best. We made our decision based on customer satisfaction, price, and uniqueness.
Passport and Vaccine Card Holder
ACdream Passport and Vaccine Card Holder Combo
Have all the essentials in one fancy case
Why it's on the list:
The aviation industry has changed so much over the last few decades. In addition to passports, some requirements include vaccine cards, so this is such a useful gift.
This passport and vaccine card holder combo is a stylish, durable, and convenient travel companion.
It's also designed with quality materials that ensure it will stand up to daily wear and tear without any issues.
The Best Part: This product comes in several different colors making it easy to find one that would fit their tastes.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Took it all over the world with no issues
- Great quality materials and vaccine card and passport fit perfectly
- Excellent customer service from the seller
Cons:
- Didn't fit UK Passport
- I wish it had a way to be put around your neck
- They are bulky and don't fit in pants pockets
Compression Socks for Women & Men Circulation (8 Pairs)
Why it's on the list:
Your flight attendant friend won't actually be able to rock these if she's wearing a dress or skirt, but if a pants day or she's traveling for fun, this gift will be useful and appreciated for all those ready-to-sprout varicose veins that are an occupational side effect.
They feature strategically placed zones of high-compression fabric that provide additional support where needed, without restricting movement or causing discomfort. They also boast an innovative color design that adds a touch of style to any outfit, making them a must-have fashion accessory for both men and women.
The Best Part: The variety of patterns and colors
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Help a lot with swelling after injury on my ankle
- I've worn them for 15 hours and my legs still feel comfortable
- I love the prints
Cons:
- They won't last long term if you wear them often
- The compression didn't seem good at all
- The inside has a lot of loose threads and my toes get caught in them
Portable Utensils
Why it's on the list:
Flight attendants are in so many places, on so many flights, and sometimes have to be extremely resourceful in finding something to eat, which makes this portable silverware set a great choice as a gift for flight attendants.
The silverware comes with eight pieces, including chopsticks and a straw cleaner. The knife is particularly sharp, which makes it ideal for cutting meats and vegetables. The set is also dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.
It's not the fanciest silverware out there but it does the job well and at an affordable price point too! It's made of high-quality food-grade stainless steel, so you can be sure it'll last.
The Best Part: Chopsticks AND a brush to clean the straw.
Please note: Knives are not allowed on carry-on luggage, so let your friend know either to leave it at home or check it in their bag. They are a flight attendant so they probably already know this, just let them know you aren't trying to get them banned from flying or arrested.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Very nice and look good too
- love the big spoon
- These are great to take in my lunch to work
Cons:
- There were loose strings in the case
- The spoon is huge
- The zipper didn't work on the case
Starbucks Gift Card
Why it's on the list:
Starbucks gift cards of the best gifts you can give to a flight attendant. (or anyone really) Even if they don't like coffee, they can grab a quick muffin, tea, or even a fresh bottle of water for their next flight.
New flight attendants will be especially happy with this gift idea, as their pay scale starts on the low side.
Plus, most flight attendants will make a Starbucks run if they have the time. You can't go wrong with this gift idea.
The Best Part: This could be the only access to food all day!
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Very well-loved by most
- Arrived fast
- I get these all the time
Cons:
- Arrived looking dirty
- Not eco-friendly came way overpacked
- Doesn't fit in my wallet- weird size
Travel Cable Organizer Bag Pouch
Why it's on the list:
This Organizer Bag is a great choice for anyone who wants to keep their electronic accessories organized and easy to find, and when you're a flight attendant you don't have time to be rummaging through the black hole of a bag looking for a cord!
The bag comes with two layers of storage so it holds all their cords, cables, and USB drives, and keeps them organized.
And, the hand strap makes it easy to carry around so they can take it with them wherever they go.
The Best Part: It comes in so many different colors
From Reviews:
Pros:
- 'This was the perfect answer to never being able to find a charger.
- Now everything is in one place even fits my charging bank
- Perfect for my OCD where everything needs a home. I can always find what I need
Cons:
- I got the light gray and it's not pretty
- The zipper didn't close
- After adding all my charging cords it was bulky
Shower Steamers Aromatherapy
Why it's on the list:
After a long day of travel and putting up with passengers s#$@ a nice hot shower is just what a flight attendant needs and the Shower Steamers are the cherry on top!
These are perfect for anyone looking to relax and unwind after a busy day, as they contain essential oils that provide a relaxing aroma, while also helping to relieve stress and boost mood.
The set comes in six different scents, so there is one for whatever mood they are feeling.
Best Part: Cruelty-Free and adored by Allure, Purewow, Women's Health, Today, and others
From Reviews:
Pros:
- The packaging is so beautiful and chic
- Could have stayed in the hot steamy delicious smelling shower forever
- I am going to purchase 3 more as gifts
Cons:
- They are in one box together and the eucalyptus was overpowering all the other scents
- It lasts too long to use up in one shower and I ended up throwing it away
- It only came with 5 not 6
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Singles
Why it's on the list:
Flight attendants can go long hours without access to grooming facilities other than an airplane bathroom. These are so handy for long flights and also convenient for carry-on bags for the hotel.
These Towelette Singles are a great option for anyone looking to remove makeup quickly and easily. They're pre-moistened, so even with no access to water, they are ready to go. They're handy to just grab a handful and throw in a cosmetic bag.
The Best Part: They're made with plant-based fibers, which means they biodegrade in 35 days in home compost and are formulated without phthalates, parabens, sulfates, or dyes, so even flight attendants with sensitive skin will be able to use them.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Takes off makeup quickly with no redness after
- They even work great on mascara
- Individually wrapped so they don't dry out
Cons:
- Sometimes they are hard to open
- I only received 18 instead of 20
- My face felt sticky after
Luggage Travel Cup Holder
Why it's on the list:
Holy Cow! What an invention! Of course, flight attendants have to have their coffee and now they can be hands-free. This is not for their wine glass.
This travel Cup Holder is an ideal accessory for any traveler making it the perfect gift for flight attendants. It fits onto the handle of a suitcase and has three pockets to hold a phone, passport, or small items.
It can even be adjusted to fit different types of suitcase handles.
The Best Part: Machine Washable so after each trip get rid of all those airplane germs
From Reviews:
Pros:
- So perfect to be able to walk around hands-free with my Starbucks and phone attached
- This is a great gift for any frequent travelers
- Only get this if you want to make life easier
Cons
- Don't have your drink all the way to the top or it will spill
- It didn't fit as tightly as I would have liked
- Only works on handles that are narrow
Apple Watch and Phone Charger
Why it's on the list:
A power bank is an excellent gift for a flight attendant because even though they might not be using their phone a lot, the battery still can get drained, and having a charged phone is a must when traveling.
This charger is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable power bank. It has over 9000mAh of capacity, making it ideal for charging multiple devices at the same time.
It's not the lightest option on our list but considering how much juice it packs in, we think that's worth sacrificing some weight.
The Best Part: Charge multiple devices at the same time-yes!
From Reviews
Pros:
- I use this for all my devices and it's the coolest thing I've had in a long time
- Charges quickly
- got a new apple watch and couldn't charge it because it had the new c connector, luckily I already had this so I was able to use my watch right away
Cons:
- The watch took a long time to charge
- It's bulky and awkward to carry around
- The watch is hard to keep in place
Portable Luggage Scale
Why it's on the list:
Chances are while on a trip they have bought some cool items along the way and don't want to get charged for extra weight.
Not only is this a practical gift but it comes in a variety of colors so you can find their favorite color.
Plus, it's small and ultra-convenient which makes it perfect for on-the-go travelers. It's even lightweight enough to pack inside any suitcase and small enough to fit in their pocket.
The best part: It doubles as a produce scale at the grocery store, or even weighs packages at home to save some time at the post office
From Reviews:
Pros:
- Easy to use
- A Must have for frequent travelers
- So lightweight and easy to carry
Cons:
- Battery came low
- The display is hard to read in the dark
Scratch off World Map (s)
Why it's on the list:
Let's be real: most flight attendants are on the job for the travel and not the money, which makes this one of the most cool gifts for flight attendants.
Plus, it will keep on giving with every new destination.
They can look forward to scratching off France or Argentina from their map after receiving each dirty diaper and being called "honey".
The Best Part: We chose this one because it actually comes with 2! One large with the world, and one small with The United States.
From Reviews:
Pros:
- This is a forever gift and keeps them dreaming about their next trip
- Even comes with write-on stickers for notes about places
- The packaging is lovely
Cons:
- It's hard to keep it from rolling
- Hard to scratch off neatly
- Don't use the plastic scratcher, a penny works better
Gifts For Flight Attendants FAQs
There's nothing worse than getting a gift and realizing it's the wrong one. Whether you're shopping for a coworker, friend, or family member, it can be tough to know which gift is right for them.
Below we've curated a list of Frequently Asked Questions about gifts for flight attendants. With this information, you'll be able to confidently choose the perfect present for your loved ones!
Are Flight Attendants Required To Carry Vaccine Cards?
No, but it is a good idea to have one with you just in case there's an emergency and you're incapacitated. Not all doctors keep up with the FAA's requirements so, again, having your vaccine card on hand could be a lifesaver
Are flight attendants allowed to accept gifts from passengers?
The short answer is yes. Most carriers won't allow them to accept tips or cash, but just a token of appreciation like a duty-free candy bar, or a gift card would be so appreciated. Make sure it doesn't come across as flirtatious, because that can be creepy and offensive. Some frequent flyers even pack little gift bags with snacks for the crew.
Do flight attendants get free food?
Even when flights used to serve meals domestically, flight attendants didn't automatically get a meal, unless there was something left. And, if there were extra meals the flight crew(pilots) had first dibs. After all, they need to stay nourished. On international flights, typically there are crew meals boarded, due to it being a long-haul flight. The crew meals are the same ones served to the passengers. So, unless they fly internationally they are on their own in the food department or scrounging for extra pretzels and peanuts.
Do Compression Socks Help On Long Flights Or In Compressed Cabins?
Compression socks help your legs by increasing blood flow, and thus oxygen, to the muscles. This can decrease any muscle pain that you experience while flying. It's worth noting that compression socks don't really help with circulation of the blood below your knees – although they can still provide some relief from cramping if you wear them throughout a long flight.
How many hours do flight attendants work in 1 day?
The hour flight attendants are at work does not equal their pay. There are FAA regulations in place that require them to have a certain amount of rest depending on the route, being domestic or international. They are paid only for "flight" hours, meaning they could be on duty for 12 hours and only get paid for 6 flight hours, making for long and potentially exhausting days.
Conclusion
There you have it! When selecting a gift, keep in mind their job requirements (such as safety regulations) as well as their personal preferences, and your personal budget. Make sure to check the price on Amazon and get your perfect gift today! Thanks for reading and
Happy Shopping!
Stacy