14 Best Gifts for Flight Attendants in 2023

Flight attendants lead immensely busy lives, which have only gotten busier and more stressful following the pandemic. If you have a friend or relative in the aviation industry, why not gift them something from this list to brighten their day?

Imagine dealing with fussy travelers, impatient teenagers, noisy toddlers, and selfish idiots who won’t wear their masks in an enclosed space. Now imagine doing all of that while maintaining a composed aura and a smile on your face at all times. Oof.

Yes, flight attendants have one of the most difficult jobs in the aviation and hospitality industry. Moreover, the grueling hours and excessive traveling mean that most of them don’t have time to shop for themselves.

So, if you’re looking for flight attendant gifts to please your special someone or just thank an attendant for the job they do, you’re in the right place. Read through this comprehensive list of gifts for flight attendants to choose the ideal option.

PRO TIP; Want VIP treatment during your flight without paying for a first-class ticket? Give gifts to the flight attendant crew as you board the plane!

Best Gifts for Flight Attendants

Whether you’re going for a birthday gift, graduation gift, or just a token of appreciation, bear in mind that most flight attendants are pretty well-paid and likely have everything they need, making them a difficult bunch to shop for.

So, should you pamper them further with an expensive gift, or just go for a thoughtful token of love? That’s your call, but I have included flight attendant gifts of multiple categories and price ranges in the list below to help solve your issue.

Go through my list of aviation gifts for flight attendants and pick out options that fit your needs and please your prospect. Okay, let’s dive right in!

Hooded Travel Pillow

If there’s something flight attendants can’t get enough of, it’s comfort. Despite looking pretty sharp, most flight attendant uniforms are pretty heavy and uncomfortable.

That’s why this hooded pillow by Grand Trunk is one of the best gift ideas for flight attendants. These individuals face all kinds of weather conditions and health hazards on the job.

This ultra-comfy pillow made out of luxury micro fleece can help them get a good night’s (or day’s) sleep during their break time. Usually, flight attendants have their compartments above yours during long-haul flights where they can crash in and get some rest when their shift is over.

The best part is, the pillow is lightweight and provides the privacy they need to make most of the time they get. Similarly, if they don’t want to use the hood, they can simply stow it away inside the pillow and use it to their preference.

Most importantly, the pillow is highly portable and comes with a customized carry bag. This helps for easy transportation during rigorous travel schedules.

Get one for your flight attendant friend, and the 360-degree neck support will have them thinking of you on every flight.

Portable Food Warmer

Let’s face it, we all know about the irksome conditions in which some airlines prepare their in-flight meals. Although that’s not the case for every airline, not all of them go the extra mile to make their meals delicious, hygienic, and warm all at the same time.

In this case, a flight attendant might choose a home-cooked meal over a dubious in-flight meal. However, managing personal food items on the go can get quite tricky. But, this portable food warmer by HotLoigic can make the task a breeze.

This electrically operated device can store food and keep it warm for your friend until the next mealtime. All they have to do is simply plug in their device, and it will warm up even frozen dishes prepared at home.

Furthermore, the food warmer requires no external monitoring. Your flight attendant friend can simply customize the heating settings and get back to work. When the food is at the ideal temperature, the device will turn off automatically and retain the required warmth.

See Related: Best Tumi Travel Kits

Neutrogena Complete Self-Care Set

Self-care products are undoubtedly some of the perfect gifts for flight attendants. Remember, their skin has to face pollution from all over the world combined with overly dry, recycled air, extended make-up wear, and skin treatments to ensure their supermodel visage.

All this on top of their routine, which barely gives them time for themselves, self-care can become a luxury. So, if you’re looking for Christmas gifts for flight attendants who need a little pampering, this Neutrogena Self-Care Set is a great option.

These individually wrapped, high-quality facial cleansing wipes can help your flight attendant friends carry out their skincare routine anywhere at any time. Not only do they help remove makeup, but they also dissolve minute traces of dirt, oil, and sebum from the skin.

Besides that, they are effective at removing waterproof cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, and concealers. Furthermore, there is no need to rinse your face after using these self-care wipes.

This makes them ideal for the in-flight setting faced by most flight attendants for hours at a stretch.

Moreover, all of these self-care wipes come pre-wrapped in a handy carry bag, so they’re easy to pack into a carry-on or even a tiny purse.

See Related: Best Gifts for Travel Agents

Luggage Cup Holder

Flight attendants usually have to catch flights at odd hours which means there’s limited time to get coffee or refreshment before boarding. That’s why, if you need unique gifts for flight attendants, this luggage cup holder is a great option.

This cup holder gets fixed in the caddy between the two poles on the luggage handle. So all your friend needs to do is fasten the sturdy rubber straps to the handle and get a free hand to store their coffee.

I know what you’re thinking; hanging your coffee cup on your luggage sounds like a perfect recipe for mess and spillage, but, hold on! This product is integrated with a spill-proof technology that allows the device to self-level whenever needed.

So, even if your friend is dragging their bag at full speed to catch a flight, the device will keep the cup upright with this wizardry! Also, the device can fit onto any type of carry-on or suitcase!

All-Purpose Tote Bag

If you need a gift option for a female (or particularly chic male) flight attendant, think about high-quality tote bags. This all-purpose tote bag by TUMI is a practical and stylish carry-on bag for busy flight attendants.

The lightweight nylon bag has a unique feature that lets you fold it into a smaller pouch when not needed. This means your flight attendant friend can keep it as a small pouch in their carry-on during flights and open it up to carry their essentials during layovers.

Besides that, the tote comes with an accessible matching back sleeve that lets you connect your luggage handles. Flight attendants can carry multiple bags on their trolley bags using this feature, avoiding having to lug the extra weight on their free arm.

Additionally, this tote bag has multiple external and internal pockets with sturdy zip fittings to ensure the safety of their belongings.

See Related: Layover vs Stopover: What’s The Difference?

Cruising Attitude – Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet

During long flights, service usually lasts an hour or two. Meaning, flight attendants have up to 4-5 hours of free time on every long-haul flight.

If your friend is an avid reader, some engaging reading material can make cool gifts for flight attendants.

While you can choose any book that matches your friends’ personalities, this title particularly caught my eye. Cruising Attitude is written by a former flight attendant, Heather Poole, providing a fun and witty narration of her time in the skies.

The author depicts a delightful account of her fifteen-year experience as a flight attendant, which will surely inspire your newly-recruited friend, or give the experienced one a knowing chuckle.

The book includes stories and tips regarding incidents like in-flight emergencies and mishaps that could provide helpful insight for new flight attendants, as well as funny anecdotes and passenger stories that’ll make any reader laugh out loud.

In a nutshell, for those looking for gifts for new or old flight attendants, this is an affordable and appealing option.

See Related: Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) Review

Collapsible Travel Water Bottle

If you’re searching for good gifts for flight attendants, this high-quality collapsible water bottle is one of the coolest practical options.

Flight attendants need to stay hydrated at all times as their job requires them to stay on their feet most of the time. However, they usually don’t have the space to carry huge personal water bottles. This makes it quite challenging to track their daily water intake.

That’s why your flight attendant friend or relative will surely appreciate this stylish and durably-designed space-saving water bottle.

Constructed out of BPA-free plastic and silicone, the bottle does not accumulate a gross odor over time. Also, it has an FDA certification that ensures food-grade materials and anti-bacterial properties to keep your friend healthy on the job.

Unlike other collapsible bottles, this one is relatively easy to clean and prevents leakage as well. This means your friends can be concern-free whether they carry it in their hands or their carry-ons.

Besides that, it retains its shape and integrity even when squeezed or subjected to impacts. This makes it ideal for long-term use during travel. Also being made of silicone, there’s the option for storing hot beverages in there too!

See Related: Ways to Book the Cheapest First Class Flights

Universal Travel Adapter

Nowadays, our devices help us keep track of everything from our personal to professional commitments, to our pet’s Instagrams and which Thai restaurant we’ll be ordering from at 2 am.

But, this can get worse if you’re a flight attendant. Going off-grid for even a few minutes might have you lagging on updates and crucial info.

Moreover, you’ll be staying at hotels in multiple countries worldwide which means keeping your devices charged can get quite tricky. For example, an ill-fitting power socket in a foreign country can leave your phone dead in no time.

That’s why there can’t be better gifts for flight attendants than a universal power adapter. This International Power Adapter by Newvanga comes with all the features your friend will need to stay connected throughout his rigorous travel schedule.

The adapter can accept plugs from more than 150 countries globally, including (but not limited to) the US, the UK, Thailand, New Zealand, Israel, Italy, France, Spain, Canada, China, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Argentina, Peru, and Korea. Also, this product is integrated with safety shutters that let you use it safely on live socket parts.

Moreover, it comes with dual USB charging ports to facilitate devices from companies such as Apple, Blackberry, and Samsung.

Scratch-Off World Map

If you want fun, interactive gifts for flight attendants that’ll put a smile on their faces, this scratch-off world map is a great option. One of the main reasons anyone aspires to become a flight attendant and accept the grueling schedule is to cruise the skies and explore the world.

As a record of fulfilling their dreams, your flight attendant friends can hang this scratch-off world map at home and scratch off every country they have visited.

Built out of high-quality materials, the board comes with efficient scratch tools and attractive memory stickers. These will help your friend customize the board to their preference.

Additionally, it includes a handy magnifying strip so your friends can mark even the tiniest places they’ve been to without straining their eyes. The best part is, this is an affordable gift option for that buying on a budget.

Vintage Airlines Poster

Another wall decor option for flight attendants who like to customize their living space with their passion. This Vintage United Airlines Poster is one of the coolest gifts for flight attendants who love the history of commercial aviation.

Printed on eco-friendly paper, this chlorine-free poster is printed under alkaline conditions. This helps it retain its true colors for years at a stretch without any signs of fading and weathering.

Moreover, if you wish to customize your gift, you can tweak your order and request the materials and printing inks of your choice. The options range from premium bamboo fiber to natural fabrics like silk and hemp. Most importantly, this gift is a bargain and can help you make your flight attendant friend happy without stretching your budget.

Travel Shoe Bags

Let’s face it, hardly anyone invests in high-quality travel shoe bags, but there’s one industry I can think of that requires its workers to wear high-quality, shiny shoes.

Yep, you guessed it; flight attendants. Typically between flights, attendants will ditch their immaculate work shoes and go for something comfier. But where to store their shinies when wearing their comfies?

This travel shoe bag set by Tuff Guy includes four separate durable nylon bags to carry on any foreign trip. The ballistic nylon material resists water and other contaminants from damaging your footwear.

Similarly, the neat stitching with robust European zippers ensures that the bags last you long, even after rugged use.

Another aspect I loved about these shoe bags is the small identifiers on each piece. So your flight attendant friends can easily label each bag to avoid picking out the wrong shoes from their luggage. Besides that, each piece has a durable handle that you can carry or fasten to your backpack.

See Related: Best Cheap Flight Alert Websites

Skincare Products’ Travel Set

Working as a flight attendant can seem like a glamorous, attractive, and high-paying job. However, it can get quite exhausting, and many workers end up neglecting self-care.

If you have a flight attendant in your life whose self-care you’re worried about, I have the ideal gift idea for you. This compact yet comprehensive Skincare Products’ Travel Set by Burt’s Bees lets your friend pamper and take care of themselves regardless of their location.

This affordable set includes a cleanser, hydrating lotion, body lotion, foot cream, and hand repair cream. Using these products at the end of the day ensures your friend a relaxed night’s sleep with replenished skin.

Furthermore, it is ideal for people with allergies and specific skin requirements. That’s because all its products are formulated with natural ingredients.

Most importantly, the products come wrapped in an exquisite giftable box. This means all you have to do is order online and hand the gift over to your friend without the extra hassle of wrapping.

See Related: Best GoPro Accessories for Travel

Classy Flight Attendant Wine Glass

Flight attendant or not, who doesn’t like to indulge in a rewarding glass of wine at the end of the day? Give your flight attendant friend a personalized drinking experience, by getting them this cheeky wine glass as a token of appreciation.

This 21oz stemless wine glass clearly depicts the feelings of flight attendants who get barely a few hours a week for themselves after providing for fussy passengers.

This vessel is made out of high-quality vinyl rather than glass, so there’s minimal chance of breakage even if your friends carry it with them on their trips.

However, make sure to remind them that it is not dishwasher or microwave friendly.

See Related: Delta Airlines Review

Airplane Stud Earrings

Flight attendants are allowed minimal jewelry when working onboard. So if your friend loves to wear jewelry to style their attire, these appropriate airplane stud earrings are a great gift option.

Made out of hypoallergenic sterling silver, these earrings won’t tarnish or rust easily. This means they’ll retain their shine for long intervals, and your friend can use them for years to come.

Besides that, the materials are completely free of harmful elements such as nickel, lead, and cadmium. Meaning, they won’t cause any itching or discomfort to the wearer even if they keep them all day.

Most importantly, the earrings come in a dainty gift box with a personalized polishing cloth. So you don’t have to put in any extra effort to pack or present the gift to your friend or relative.

Related Resources

• 23 Best Travel Gifts
• 18 Best Gifts for Couples Who Love to Travel
• 10 Best Travel Gifts for Backpackers