Gifts for cabin crew

[Snowman_ROK]

Hi all - random question maybe!

I flew Melbourne to Dubai last night, and noticed a really nice thing a family did for the crew.

When they boarded they gave the cabin crew in our section a gift - I've no idea what it was, but it had a big impact on the crew who really appreciated it. I gathered that one of the family was cabin crew with Virgin Aus, so would probably have had an idea of suitable gifts!

So, it got me thinking - what would a nice gift be on a long haul? It seems a really nice gesture and I'd quite like to do the same on my next long haul!

Cheers!

 

[Anna]

I sometimes give the crew a box of chocolates.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, chokkies usually go down well. They can be shared around the crew.

Personally I'm uncomfortable giving them up-front, as it would feel like I'm asking for special treatment later. Mid-flight as a thank-you when I do it.

 

[jlzrbm]

Just make sure it's commercial and sealed. Baking crew a bunch of muffins is lovely, but some airlines have released guidelines instructing crew not to consume anything that's clearly homemade (lest this be a pretty sneaky way of getting rid of a bunch of the crew at once).

 

[milehighclub]

Can't go wrong with chocolates and sweets. Some airlines don't allow crew to take things off the aircraft, including from passengers, so chocolates can be consumed during the flight.

 

[jb747]

A bit of bribery never goes astray. As a thank you at the end of the flight, it's reasonable. Not too sure about the start though.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I always give SQ Crew Members bags of chocolate - if you plan ahead you can always get specials at WW / Coles / Big W so cost can be cheap - and they always get them at start of flt - if there is bribery / pref treatment to be shared then I am going to be in the thick of it.

Current go to item is a bag of Italian Pralines 64pcs for about $8 from Big W - that’s at least 2ea for 26 Cabin Crew + Flight Crew on SQ 380 - if 777 or 350 they get more each



Crew on 222 and 322 tomorrow will get to share a bag each Always get multiple Crew Members come and thank me during flt -Crew down in Y most times have thankless flts so they live any little expression of appreciation

 

[robinsparkles]

and they always get them at start of flt - if there is bribery / pref treatment to be shared then I am going to be in the thick of it.

Haha I love this bit

 

[GaryLG]

It's interesting thinking about the reasons people have for doing this.

I was recently on a RJ flight where the guy next to me gave the crew a box of chocolates at the start of the flight. They were very appreciative though not sure it made any difference to how each of us were treated. I stuck to my usual of approach of good eye contact, plenty of thanks and appreciation and treating them well and not being demanding.

 

[Daver6]

Lovely gesture. I'm the kind of person who finds tipping people in America extremely awkward at the best of times (as in the when and how to physically go about it restaurant situation is easy enough).

So how are you folks doing it? When you step onboard to the person checking the tickets? Do you just grab someone who happens to be walking past your seat?

 

[parsonstrish]

on international I advise crew n my cabin at start or csm when I enter flt. There have been different responses, multiple crew thanking me, including pilots, to minimal response. one of my flts to dfw, crew in my cabin on my arrival, called my name, welcomed me back. don’t do it for any other reason then it’s my thanks to them. I prefer when there’s minimum response. I’ve been told I’m on passenger Info as qantas ambassador. days of international travel are over for me now.
i always took bags of chocolate.

 

[RooFlyer]

A bit of bribery never goes astray. As a thank you at the end of the flight, it's reasonable. Not too sure about the start though.

Any of your crew ever share the chokkies with up the front?

 

[waswab]

I go with Chocs or similar that are seasonally appropriate (Christmas fudge, Easter eggs etc ) when travelling on public holidays. When crew are working rather then spending time with their families, this is my acknowledgment.
Do not go with lottery or similar type tickets that have or might generate conflict over money. Most organisation have guidelines that prohibit acceptance.
I always present as I board so the items can be enjoyed during the flight if they desire.
Always well accepted by staff. I love the joy it brings to them.

 

[JessicaTam]

I give chocolates to whoever is checking the BP as I board. It's nice to get a thank you, and if I happen to walk off with a bottle of wine - who am I to say no!

 

[blackcat20]

I popped a Santa hat on and handed out chocolates when we were flying to the US for Christmas, it’s an acknowledgment that they give up time with their families so we can be with ours. I’ve also done it when flying long haul Y, it usually earns me a glass of J bubbles which I won’t say no to.

 

[Quickstatus]

What about gift cards?

I once gave the cabin crew on a US bound QF A380 for a Boxing day flight, some Sephora brushes for the girls and Apple charge cables for the boys. I think I had 12 sephora and 10 apple charge cables. Gave it to the CSM to distribute.

For unknown reasons I didn't get the onboard operational upgrade to F

 

[offshore171]

Surely I'm not the only one who has never heard of this custom?

Is it something that originated in the US, maybe as an offshoot of their tipping culture?

 

[RooFlyer]

Is it something that originated in the US, maybe as an offshoot of their tipping culture?

Not for me. I do it sometimes Trans-Pac but never on a US airline (where it would seem like a tip aka bribe for better service) but it seems more appropriate to me with Asian/Middle Eastern airlines where you know the (mainly female) crew work hard, are always very pleasant and probably have to put up with more than, say your average QF cabin crew member.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I would also give MEL SQ SKL staff a block of chocolate each (4 or 5 staff in total) when I was travelling J - they would then always direct me LEFT at entry - still do it now every time - b4 Covid I knew everyone on first name basis and invariably they would cook / prepare / serve any concoction I wanted provided ingredients on hand.

A bit of good old fashioned ‘kindness’ can yield amazing results

 

[Denali]

We've often gifted boxes of chocs or if in the US Starbuck cards to the flight crew. Especially Christmas flights and dont forget the pilots, gate and lounge agents. Ive had pilots come out and say its the first time in ##yrs theyve received a pax gift.

Was thinking of doing it next week for our 1st domestic flight in 2.5yrs.