Debate over appropriate use of flight attendant call buttons continues

The Washington Post's air travel etiquette guide states that "the flight attendant button is not a vodka tonic button," suggesting it should be reserved for emergencies rather than minor requests.

A Delta Air Lines incident highlighted this tension when a flight attendant warned a passenger against using the call button for a drink request. Sara Nelson, head of the largest flight attendants union, supports this stance and has advocated for reducing alcohol service on planes to lessen crew workload.

However, some argue that avoiding the call button could lead to congestion in the galley as passengers seek assistance directly. Emirates Airlines instructs its attendants not to ignore call buttons and monitors response times to ensure customer satisfaction.

Ultimately, while flight attendants have significant safety responsibilities, they are not constantly engaged in such duties throughout flights. Therefore, passengers can use the call button but should be prepared for potential delays or additional charges depending on the airline's policies.

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