Recently, someone told me of an airport experience in a West African airport. The flight had arrived from America, and this woman and her son were walking all round the airport. They then approached the customer service desk. She was looking for her brother, who had boarded that flight with her. On disembarkation, she could not find him.
The customer service officer first went to aviation security with her. Then they went to the airline. There, they were informed that the aircraft had made an emergency landing in a nearby West African state. There had been a medical emergency. While this was happening, the woman and her son had been asleep. Unfortunately, the passenger did not make it alive to be taken on the flight.
That passenger was her brother.
The experience is a painful reminder that emergencies can happen at any time during air travel, and that flight attendants are not merely on board to serve meals, attend to passengers’ comfort or make announcements. They are trained aviation professionals whose primary responsibility is passenger safety.
Air hostesses, now known as flight attendants, began in 1930 when registered nurse Ellen Church was hired by Boeing Air Transport, now United Airlines, to reassure nervous passengers and provide medical care. Ellen Church convinced airlines that nurses on board would help ease passengers’ fears about flying.
In those early years, air hostesses had to meet strict requirements. They had to be registered nurses, weigh under 115 pounds, stand under 5 feet 4 inches tall and remain single. Their uniforms also reflected the nature of the profession at the time, often resembling military or nurse outfits made of durable, heavy materials.
Over the years, however, the profession changed. After World War II, airlines stopped requiring nursing degrees and increasingly focused on hospitality and glamour. Stewardesses were expected to be young, attractive, slim and unmarried. Some were forced to retire when they reached the age of 30 or got married.
There were also racial barriers. Ruth Carol Taylor broke an important racial barrier in 1958 by becoming the first African American flight attendant.
By the late 1960s, airlines had taken the glamour aspect even further. Stylish, form-fitting outfits and miniskirts were used in provocative marketing campaigns aimed at male business travellers.
The 1970s brought significant changes. Anti-discrimination laws and feminist movements helped to end discriminatory hiring practices such as weight restrictions and marriage bans. More men also entered the profession, while the gender-neutral title “flight attendant” gradually replaced “stewardess” or “air hostess.”
Today, cabin crew are trained aviation professionals responsible for passenger safety, emergency evacuations, firefighting and security. Their training also prepares them to respond to medical emergencies that may occur thousands of feet above the ground.
During a medical emergency on a flight, the most important thing a passenger should do is notify a flight attendant immediately. Cabin crew are trained to handle medical emergencies and can access onboard medical supplies. Passengers should follow crew instructions and, if they are doctors, nurses, paramedics or have relevant medical training, identify themselves to the crew.
Passengers should also stay calm and avoid crowding the affected person. They should offer help only if qualified and assist if requested. A passenger may be asked to fetch a medical kit, locate medication or help communicate with the affected person.
If instructed by the crew and properly trained, a passenger may also assist with CPR or use an automated external defibrillator, if one is available.
If the passenger is travelling with the affected person, useful information such as known medical conditions, allergies and medications should be provided to the crew. Flight attendants can coordinate medical assistance, communicate with ground-based medical experts and arrange emergency services upon landing.
Passengers can also take steps to help prevent medical emergencies during a flight. They should stay hydrated by drinking water before and during the flight and avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, which can contribute to dehydration.
On longer flights, passengers should move around periodically or do simple seated exercises to promote circulation. They should wear comfortable clothing and avoid anything that restricts blood flow. Passengers should also eat appropriately before and during the flight, especially if they have conditions such as diabetes.
Those with significant medical conditions or those who may need special assistance should inform the airline in advance. Prescribed medications should be taken as directed and kept in carry-on baggage.
Passengers should follow crew instructions regarding seat belts, safety procedures and health advisories. They should also get adequate rest before travelling, particularly on long-haul flights.
For passengers with existing medical conditions, it is also a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before flying, especially for long trips or recent illnesses.
The story of the woman who searched the airport for her brother shows why passengers must understand that an emergency on board is a serious matter. Sometimes, the people around us may not even know that something has happened until the aircraft lands.
Air travel has become safer and more professional over the years, but emergencies remain possible. Knowing what to do, remaining calm and alerting the flight attendants immediately can make a significant difference when every second matters.
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Ekelem Airhihen, an accredited mediator, has an MBA from the Lagos Business School. He is a member, ACI Airport Non-aeronautical Revenue Activities Committee; his interests are in market research, customer experience and performance measurement, negotiation, strategy and data and business analytics. He can be reached on ekyair@yahoo.com and +2348023125396 (WhatsApp only).
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