Flight Attendant Call Button: When Should You Use It?

If I’m in a middle/window seat I’ll try to ask for a few things if I think I’m gonna need it later in the flight, so I don’t have to bother them again, if I’m in the aisle I won’t bother calling, I’ll just walk over and ask for whatever I want, in any case they don’t usually rush to your seat even when you do call them… I can see other seats with the light on for a while just to have the FA ask to turn it off rather than asking what they need…

I've never needed to use the call button until last fall--on two different United Airlines flights (which isn't my usual airline). 1) on a Boeing 777, HNL-LAX, my phone somehow fell off the device holder on the back of the seat in front of me (maybe from the passenger's weight shifting or...?) and knocked over my cup of apple juice that was on my tray. Juice went everywhere and soaked the blanket I had on my lap. The passenger next to me generously used her own cleaning wipe to help clean up the mess while we waited for a FA, who then provided napkins and took my wet blanket. Unfortunately, she said there were no extra blankets but said she'd check to see if there was anyone not using their blanket...I guess not, because she never came back. 2) in First Class on a Boeing 737-9, EWR- SEA, I unfolded my tray table before meal service was about to begin and found out that it was filthy--dirtiest one I'd ever seen! Used call button to inform FA, who gave me several antibacterial wipes to clean it with...so I had a clean tray by the time I received my meal!

American FAs, including AA, consider passengers as enemies. Not so at EVA and Singapore Airlines. Lufthansa is in̈ between

I can vouch for BA, EK, EY and SQ, in F&J Derek.

Anytime Britney Spears flys commercial maybe? Not sure if that includes JSX though! (;

You use the call button when you want something like an extra drink and you don't see the flight attendants. Regardless of cabin.

Except one time I was on an AA flight and got verbally threatened by a fellow pax. He said he would "f***ing crush your [my] skull." I pressed the call button, but the flight attendant never showed up. It was way after meal service. I had to find another opportunity and take a detour to go to the galley.

You press the call button whenever you require something, or if there is a problem that the crew should know about. This is standard operating procedure in every country on Earth other than the United States. The "emergencies only" diktat is nonsense. Should hospital nurses be directing patients to use refrain from using their call bells unless they're having a cardiac arrest? It's a customer service industry. Some of these FAs need to get TF over themselves.

As someone who traveled with my family in Australia very recently, I was shocked by the cultural differences in play even between two similar seeming cultures. On all 10+ economy Qantas flights we flew, it was a regular occurrence for passengers to push the button to request an additional beer, and the flight attendants not only came quickly, but did so cheerily and usually offered an extra drink in the process.

I wonder if this an example of American “exceptionalism” in play. Are any non-US based airlines as stingy with the call button norm as they are here?

"Some flight attendants at US airlines seem opposed to using the call button for service, because, you know, they’re there for your safety"

These FAs are bitter and lazy; They should be removed from service immediately. Full stop.

Not a US thing... a lazy FA thing.

Unfortunately SQ has gone downhill, they too in J.

Since when do you fly long haul economy....

I've been flying for more than 40 years and have not used the call button once. Unsure why I've abstained. I try to get what I need when the FA passes by.

I think this may have more to do with the self-service culture of the US.

" " If I get the sense that the crew takes issue with use of the call button, I of course won’t use it. " "

The should be terminated - For cause - not doing their job. If US airlines tell the flight attendants, don't bother, then remove the call button, just like Asian carriers remove the air nozzles -- US airlines have terrible service compared to most airlines....

The fact that YOU had to clean the table is indicative that US based FA don't want to do their job.

BTW - Another reason to take Asian airlines across the Pacific - the FA actually routinely clean and stock the toilets ...

I know that glorified waiters will attack me but the answer is simple - whenever you need some service.

By all accounts, substantiated by Rumour Control, on many U.S. domestic flights, the call button usage will only summon the on duty grimy. Trolly dollies are no longer available due to the adoption of the WOKE protocol which bans the use of presentable FA’s.

lol wtf dude. "coffee, tea or me?" dropped in 1967. the national airlines "fly me" ads came out in 1971. you're yearning for a long dead world

same, tho not as long. you're a knight

Never pressed the button in 25 years of premium travel. Oh wait, that one time…and they never came anyway (LX/LH). Now that I’m flying with AF, I wouldn’t DARE, as they are “safety first” and everything else after.
Especially in F and sometimes in biz, I go to the galley on purpose (on my way to the WC so it looks less threatening,) in an effort to show them they aren’t passing by with enough regularity.
Honestly, the fact the I even have to rationalize this decision is pathetic!
Would be nice if we didn’t need to think about this or even have the button, as that would mean we were all perfectly satisfied with the service.