It’s not a widespread practice, but some travelers bring gifts to distribute to flight attendants as they board an aircraft. And while you can expect the hard-working flight attendants on the receiving end to appreciate the thoughtful gesture, cynics might argue that those handing out gifts are just attempting to curry favor and must want something in return. So, should you bring your flight attendants gifts? If so, what can you give? Let’s take a look at this practice and what airlines have to say about it.

The Pros and Cons of Gift Giving

Many of those in favor of giving gifts to cabin crew say they do so without any expectation of special treatment. Some argue that, because passengers can sometimes be unreasonable and display challenging behaviors, it’s simply a friendly gesture and a way of expressing gratitude and showing their appreciation for those who perform such a demanding job. Flight attendants also point out that airport prices can be expensive, and being gifted items helps their salary stretch further. 

Others disagree with the practice, claiming that passengers who bring gifts to distribute on board often hope for an upgrade — or at least preferential treatment. However, flight attendants who have chimed in on these online discussions say that rarely, if ever, happens.

What Airlines Say

When I asked United Airlines’ virtual assistant about the practice, the airline confirmed that passengers are “welcome to show appreciation to your flight attendant with a small, thoughtful gift like a thank-you note, snack, or treat. However, cash tips or expensive items aren’t allowed. If you’d like to give something, keep it simple and heartfelt — flight attendants really appreciate the gesture!”

A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines echoes that sentiment, telling me via email: “We don’t have a policy prohibiting gifts for crew members. It happens fairly regularly and it’s a good boost to the crew.”

Frontier Airlines also relayed that gifts were usually well received, stating, “In general, passengers are allowed to give small, appropriate gifts to cabin crew, and many crew members truly appreciate the gesture.” Similarly, American Airlines says passengers are welcome to offer cabin crew small gifts as they board.  

What Gifts Might Be Appropriate?

I also asked on Threads what my fellow travelers think. And if they do give gifts to flight attendants, what are some good ideas? As it turns out, gift cards for coffee chains that have branches at many U.S. airports are a popular option. One flight attendant even chimed in to suggest that passengers could buy cabin crew scratch-off lottery tickets but to be sure they’d be valid for the route flown.

Wellness products such as facial moisturizers, lip balms, and hand creams that help with rehydration after a long spell in the air were also mentioned, and with dry cabin air and long travel days, it’s easy to see why those would be welcome. Candy, chocolate, and mints can make suitable gifts, too. Plus, a large bag can be shared, which is useful if you’re unsure about how many flight attendants will be staffing your flight.

What Shouldn’t You Bring?

One item that isn’t wise to give as a gift is alcohol, especially if you’re traveling to parts of the world that might have a more conservative attitude toward its consumption. And while a bag of homemade cookies might seem like a thoughtful idea, commercially packaged items can be received with more confidence as they’re sealed and thus tamper-proof. 

As suggested by United’s virtual assistant, airlines also usually frown upon cash tips, and depending on the carrier, any money may be handed straight back to you. When outlier Frontier Airlines announced a change in their policy to allow passengers to add a tip for in-flight food and beverage purchases, the Association of Flight Attendants responded by issuing a press release that expressed a clear objection to the practice.

When Gifting Goes Wrong: A Cautionary Tale

On one recent British Airways flight from London’s Heathrow Airport to Los Angeles, a gift allegedly given by a passenger to the cabin crew had unexpected consequences. During the February 2026 flight, three flight attendants became unwell after consuming what they thought was normal candy. In fact, they’d eaten marijuana gummies.

The so-called candy was thought to have contained 300 milligrams of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. The airline became aware of the issue when those affected reported unusual symptoms, and a replacement crew had to be drafted in to staff the return flight to London.

While that’s surely an unusual case, at the end of the day — no matter which side of the gift-giving debate you fall on — you don’t have to overthink it. A simple “thank you” (even in the form of a handwritten note) or a smile and a greeting when boarding can go a long way — and it’s completely free.

Flight attendants we spoke to said the most meaningful thanks come from making their jobs easier by following instructions and being patient. And if you enjoyed the flight, consider writing a compliment letter to the airline in recognition of the service you received.