Flight attendants are urging passengers to stop poking, tapping or touching them mid-flight, saying the behaviour has become far too common in cramped cabin spaces.
According to a report by The Washington Post, crew members across airlines say they are frequently physically contacted by passengers trying to get attention, often without any malicious intent. Many describe it as uncomfortable and unnecessary, insisting that verbal communication or the call button is the proper way to interact.
Flight attendant Michelle Montez noted that such incidents happen on nearly every flight, while union representatives stress that crew should be treated like any other service workers. Aviation staff say the issue reflects poor in-flight etiquette and are now using reminders, patches and social media campaigns to discourage passengers from making physical contact.

