Air travellers will be familiar with this: flight attendants stand at the aircraft door and greet everyone as they board. An act of service and courtesy? On the one hand, yes. But on the other hand, it is also a security measure.
“During boarding, the crew pays particular attention to passengers’ behaviour,” says the Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL). It means anyone who appears suspicious is likely to be observed a bit more closely.
If passengers are visibly under the influence of alcohol, are behaving inappropriately or in a manner that poses a safety risk, they may be refused boarding. The same applies if they simply do not heed the crew’s instructions.
German flagship airline Lufthansa says the captain always has the final say in such decisions, in consultation with ground staff and the purser, who is the most senior cabin crew member.
Travellers should be particularly careful not to overdo it when consuming alcohol before departure. Cabin crew pay close attention to this – knowing that alcohol has an even stronger effect at altitude, the BDL says.
If you wish to fly, it is best not to turn up for boarding in a state of severe intoxication. Even if you are visibly under the influence of drugs or medication, you may be deemed unfit to fly. The same applies if you are showing acute symptoms of illness.
You may also encounter difficulties if you are carrying dangerous goods, such as high-capacity power banks.
Airlines follow legal requirements when they are boarding passengers, says Lufthansa. The door areas must always be manned so that staff can respond to a potential emergency. Only once all passengers are seated and the aisles are clear are cabin crew permitted to leave the door areas. That rule also ensures that they can reach the doors unhindered at any time in the event of an emergency.
However, boarding usually proceeds without a hitch. That means crew members can focus on helping passengers, whether by helping them find their seats or answering questions about hand luggage. – dpa
