In the wake of the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on a flight from Ahmedabad to London, aviation safety procedures are back in the limelight following the public outcry. The plane with 242 on board—two pilots and 10 cabin crew—crashed minutes after taking off. The investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, but analysts are also shedding light on in-flight safety measures that go unnoticed.
These include the seemingly odd practice of flight attendants sitting upright with their hands resting under their thighs at takeoff and landing. Though the posture may look awkward or even uncomfortable, it is vital to aviation safety. This is referred to as the “brace position”—a highly trained position designed to prepare cabin crew for substantial injury prevention and enable them to remain prepared to respond rapidly in emergencies.
The Brace Position: More than a Habit
Most people might find themselves thinking that this stance is a habit or nervous twitch at first sight. However, it’s actually a conditioned safety position designed to keep the flight attendants’ limbs in control when they experience abrupt jerks or crash landings. The brace position usually involves sitting in an upright position, feet flat on the ground, back straight, and hands safely tucked between the thighs.
“They’re not doing it out of habit. It’s part of emergency preparedness to minimize injury and respond instantly after impact,” says an aviation expert familiar with crew safety training.
Why Takeoff and Landing Are the Riskiest Phases
Statistical data shows that most aviation accidents occur during the takeoff and landing phases. Despite overall improvements in global flight safety, these two moments remain the most vulnerable timeframes in the flight cycle. That’s why the crew maintains heightened awareness and adopts specific postures during these critical stages.
Cabin crew, as opposed to passengers, are charged with post-impact reaction—opening the emergency exits, deploying inflatable slides, and leading evacuations. Being in the proper brace position prevents them from being knocked out by flailing limbs, fractures, or unconsciousness resulting from head trauma.
The Science Behind the Posture
The science is undeniable: keeping your limbs restrained reduces the chance of injury to the body when there is turbulence or crash landings. Crew members keep their hands on their arms to avoid unintended arm movement that leads to sprains and impact trauma.
This position also keeps the crew’s spine in alignment, minimizing the risk of spinal trauma, and enables them to take control again rapidly if the plane suddenly halts. Their stability is even more imperative if evacuation is necessary during the first 90 seconds following impact—a timeframe usually called the “golden minute” in emergency procedures.
Beyond Service: Flight Attendants as Safety Professionals
In the minds of most travelers, flight attendants are only thought of in the context of in-flight service—serving food, drinks, and monitoring passenger comfort. Yet their work goes far beyond hospitality. All flight attendants receive extensive training in safety issues, such as fire control, first aid, water landings, and emergency evacuations.
As one safety instructor explains, “Flight attendants are not merely there to pour beverages—they are highly skilled safety professionals, always vigilant and ready to act in life-threatening situations while calming and protecting passengers.”
This observation highlights the significance of recognizing and appreciating the rule-governed behaviors of cabin crew, particularly those that may seem odd at first sight.
Brace Position for Passengers: What Should You Do?
Whereas the cabin crew adopts a special brace position designed to their job, there is also a suggested safety posture for passengers. Leaning forward in an emergency, head against the seat in front or against their knees, and covering their head with their arms is what passengers should do. Wearing the seatbelt fastened low and tight around the hips is no less important.
Also, aviation professionals emphasize that it is always necessary to adhere to the seatbelt sign, no matter if the flight is smooth. Unbuckled passengers can be thrown violently out of their seats when sudden turbulence hits.
“In the case of turbulence, passengers are asked to keep their feet flat on the floor and hold on to their seat or armrest for balance,” an expert said.
In-Flight Turbulence Gains Increased Concern
The past few years have also witnessed the rise in the number of injury-causing turbulence. Climate change and the changing jet streams are considered to be causing more volatile and unpredictable air flows. Airlines are going all out in the matter of enforcing seatbelt use and making passengers aware of the risks of refusing safety warnings.
In most instances, accidents in turbulence are not the result of crash or catastrophic system failure, but because passengers were not properly seated or strapped. This makes the simple seatbelt one of the best safety devices used in aviation.
Training Behind the Position
All the cabin crew members go through several simulations throughout their training, such as crash landings, fire incidents, and decompression. The brace position is practiced until it is second nature.
These practice exercises also focus on response time. Crew members need not just to prepare correctly but also respond within less than a minute to opening exits and leading passengers out. Their safety allows them to help others, highlighting why keeping themselves safe is a concern.
The Demonstration Isn’t Just Formality
The next time you fly and tune out the safety demo, recall: every command—to buckle up to taking the brace position—is crafted with tested science and tested data.
Several airlines have incorporated safety videos into their safety demonstrations that depict the brace position in an attempt to better retain passengers through visual prompts. Some even offer seatback cards that display illustrations of how to sit properly in a crisis.
It’s About Survival and Speed
Whether turbulence, aborted takeoff, or hard landing, preparation and positioning are the secrets to limiting harm. Bracing posture enables cabin staff to remain vigilant, safe, and prepared to assist with life-saving interventions. For passengers, easy compliance with seatbelt signs and posture rules can vastly enhance the odds of escaping injury.
Knowledge of the reason behind these safety routines enables passengers not just to admire the skills of cabin staff but also to contribute more mindfully to their safety.