🌩️ “Is this normal?”
That’s the question I hear the most, usually mid-air, while someone grips their armrest and looks my way for reassurance.

As a flight attendant, I’ve spent many hours in the sky. And yes, I’ve felt my fair share of bumps, unexpected dips, shaky climbs, and those familiar “fasten seatbelt” chimes.

Here’s the truth: turbulence is way more common (and way more harmless) than most people think.

💭 So, what is turbulence really?

In simple terms: it’s just air movement. It happens when the plane flies through pockets of air that are rising, falling, or shifting because of things like:

• Jet streams
• Storms or weather changes
• Air pressure differences
• Mountains or terrain below

Think of it as the sky’s version of driving over a bumpy road, a little rough, but not dangerous.

We usually get briefed by pilots about when and how bad turbulence will be. But honestly, with today’s changing climate (yep, it has an impact), you’ll probably experience some bumps on most flights. Especially in Asia these days.

🛫 What passengers feel vs. what we feel

For passengers, turbulence can feel like:

• Sudden drops
• Loss of control
• Danger

For us as crew, it’s more like:

• “Oh, this again.”
• A pause in the coffee pouring
• Just another routine part of the job

We’re trained to recognize different types of turbulence, and we know when it’s minor and when it’s worth extra caution. Spoiler alert: 90% of the time it’s just light or moderate — annoying, not alarming.

😌 How flight attendants stay calm (and how you can too)

We stay calm because we understand it. We also trust the aircraft — they’re built to handle way more than turbulence could ever throw at them.

You can do the same:
✅ Keep your seatbelt fastened, even when the sign is off
✅ Distract yourself with music, a podcast, or a movie
✅ Look at the crew — if we’re not worried, you don’t need to be
✅ Skip caffeine or alcohol if you’re a nervous flyer

💡 Fun fact

Turbulence almost never causes injuries — unless someone isn’t wearing their seatbelt. That’s why we keep reminding you (over and over!) to buckle up. We’re not nagging — we’re protecting you. Because at the end of the day, even though we’re here to serve you with a smile, safety is always the number one priority.

✈️ Final thoughts from the jumpseat

Turbulence might make you anxious, but it shouldn’t ruin your journey. Think of it as a reminder that you’re flying thousands of meters above the earth, faster than a sports car, through some of nature’s most powerful elements — and still completely safe.

So next time the seatbelt sign dings, take a deep breath. Trust the process.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.

Stay Calm & Safe Travels 🧡