Top 10 most common questions in flight, answered by a flight attendant

Have you ever been curious about what happens inside the cabin? As a flight attendant, you get the same questions every single day. Some are practical, others surprisingly funny, and honestly? Some are a bit unexpected too. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on board an aircraft.

“Can I have a look inside the cockpit?”

In the past, this happened much more often, but nowadays cockpit security regulations are extremely strict. During the flight, passengers aren’t allowed to enter. Sometimes, after landing, children might get a quick look when the situation allows it, but during the flight it’s simply ‘not done’.

“Are you flying back to Belgium later?”

A question that is almost always asked right before landing. The answer? In 97% of cases, yes. But it depends on the schedule. Sometimes the crew stays overnight at the destination, but most of the time we depart again about an hour later.

“Can I change seats?”

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions right after boarding. Sometimes it’s possible, but certain seats need to remain free due to balance, safety, or because other passengers have paid for them. That’s why we usually ask to wait until after take-off before approving any seat changes.

“Where is the black box?”

Many passengers think the black box is actually black, but it’s in fact bright orange so it can be found more easily after an accident. On most aircraft, the flight recorders are located at the very back of the plane, as that is statistically the safest area in case of impact.

Discover here everything you need to know about the black box.

“How many passengers can this aircraft carry?”

This question comes up surprisingly often. The exact number obviously depends on the aircraft type. On a Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8, there are 189 passenger seats on board, along with 4 cabin crew members in the cabin and 2 pilots in the cockpit.

“Can I buy that?”

(while someone is pointing at my meal while eating)

Crew meals often look a bit better than standard passenger meals, so we completely understand this question. Unfortunately, these meals are specially provided for crew and are not available for sale on board. Did you know pilots are never allowed to eat the same meal? Why? Find out in: “Flight attendant reveals 4 aviation secrets”.

“Can you heat this up in the microwave?”

Bad news: aircraft do not have microwaves on board. Meals are heated in special ovens designed for in-flight use. So reheating your own pasta or burger? Unfortunately, that’s not possible.

“Are these bumps normal?”

Turbulence is still something many passengers find unsettling, but in most cases it is completely normal. Aircraft are built to handle even severe turbulence without any issue. For the crew, it usually just means being extra careful with the drink trolley. 

Discover here 6 tips for dealing with turbulence.

“Are you afraid during turbulence?”

A surprisingly honest question. Of course, crew members can sometimes feel tension during strong turbulence, but thanks to training and experience, we know exactly what is normal and what is not. A calm crew is usually also a good sign for passengers.

“What time will we land exactly?”

What many passengers don’t know is that arrival times are usually calculated with some margin compared to the actual flight time. That means a flight that departs a bit too late can still arrive on time. Pilots take wind, air traffic, and the most efficient route into account during the flight. And if the wind is in our favor? We sometimes even make up time in the air.

In short

Behind every flight are hundreds of small questions and curious passengers. And honestly? That’s what makes the job so enjoyable. So next time you’re on board and want to ask the crew something: just do it. Chances are you’re not the first one to ask. 😉

Safe flight!

By: Rico Valkenborgh | May 18, 2026