Top 10 Bizarre Requests Flight Attendants Receive on Flights

There’s only so much a flight attendant can do for passengers.

When it comes to air travel, flight attendants are the keepers of the cabin. They’re not just there to bring you drinks and snacks; they’re stewards for safety, advocates for passengers, and all-around in-flight experts. Moreover, they strive to ensure comfort during the flight, but some extravagant requests are simply beyond their reach. Here are some of the most outlandish requests flight attendants have received, showcasing just how creative some passengers can be.

Parachute

According to Luke Xavier, a former flight attendant with Delta and founder of USA Rover, one of the wildest requests he received came from a passenger asking for a parachute mid-flight—just in case of an emergency. Although such a request is clearly impossible to fulfill, Xavier always aimed to make the flight comfortable and enjoyable by providing freebies to passengers whenever possible.

Fried Chicken

Susan Fogwell, a retired flight attendant with over two decades of service, recalls a time when Gary Coleman politely requested his chicken be fried ‘extra crispy.’ Unfortunately, deep frying is not an option in the limited capabilities of the onboard galley.

Cup of Water for a Falcon

Another unusual request came from a cadet from the Air Force Academy, who boarded with the school’s mascot—a falcon. The cadet politely asked for a cup of water for the bird, which certainly caught Fogwell’s attention.

Hotel Transfer

While flight attendants typically focus on in-flight service, some passengers have higher expectations. A family once asked Josephine Remo, a former flight attendant, to organize their transportation to a hotel after disembarking. It’s important to remember that flight attendants are not personal assistants.

Sushi Burritos

Alison Meacham, a former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant, frequently received requests for additional food and drinks. Passengers often sought meals beyond the standard offerings or made unusual requests, such as asking for sushi burritos. Meacham had to politely decline, explaining the challenges of preparing such a dish in-flight.

Cat and Mice

In one of the more bizarre incidents, a family requested a live cat and bag of live mice for their daughter. Unsurprisingly, Meacham was unable to fulfill this unusual request.

Space for a Snake

Carly Campbell, a former flight attendant, recounted a request that involved a pet snake. During a flight from Vancouver to Toronto, a passenger asked if he could bring his aquarium-contained snake as a carry-on. After consultation with the captain, they permitted the pet onboard but had to rearrange other passengers to accommodate the tank.

Raw Fish to Be Cooked On Board

Campbell also faced a strange request from a passenger traveling from Toronto to Phoenix, who wanted to bring a fish onboard and have it cooked in the galley. Due to safety rules and space restrictions, this request had to be declined.

A Chicken to Lay Fresh Eggs for Breakfast

On another occasion, a passenger on a flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo wanted to take a live chicken on board for fresh eggs. Again, safety concerns led to the rejection of this request, illustrating how some passengers go to great lengths in pursuit of comfort and satisfaction during their flights.

Noise Reduction

Ben Whatman, Air New Zealand’s in-flight service manager, recounted being asked whether the noise of the aircraft could be reduced so a passenger could sleep. Even though modern aircraft designs prioritize quietness, the reality is that noise from engines and airflow is prevalent while traveling at high speeds.