Flight Attendant working while in flight, Photo Credit: Pexels
Flight Attendant working while in flight, Photo Credit: Pexels

“The idea is to keep the body locked in a strong, controlled pose so that if we hit turbulence or experience an unplanned emergency, the risk of injury is minimized,” Lim explained. By placing their palms upward and tucking their hands beneath their thighs, flight attendants restrict unnecessary movement of the arms, which could otherwise be injured or thrown around during a collision.

The position also involves sitting completely upright, keeping the spine aligned, and planting both feet firmly on the cabin floor — all to help stabilize the body and brace against potential shocks.

A Flight Attendant Standing in the Cabin, Photo Credit: Pexels
A Flight Attendant Standing in the Cabin, Photo Credit: Pexels

Another industry professional, flight attendant Anusha Pratima, echoed this explanation in a Quora discussion. She emphasized that during taxiing, takeoff, and landing, cabin crew must stay hyper-aware and ready to respond immediately to emergencies. She explained that the brace position helps restrict limb and spine movement, lowering the risk of serious injury during impact.

Surprisingly, passengers are advised to use a different brace method in the event of an in-flight emergency. According to aviation resource Simple Flying, passengers should “lean the upper body forward, rest the head against the seat in front, and place hands flat on either side of the head.” This forward-leaning posture offers the best protection for non-crew members.

Flight Attendants Standing in the Aisle of an Airplane, Photo Credit: Pexels
Flight Attendants Standing in the Aisle of an Airplane, Photo Credit: Pexels

So next time you’re buckled up and your flight attendant takes that curious seated position, know this — it’s not habit. It’s a life-saving technique rooted in years of safety training. And it could make all the difference when seconds count.