Chapter 3: What the Hands-Under-Thighs Position May Mean
The image accompanying this article highlights a flight attendant with her hands positioned beneath her thighs. Such a posture may be used as part of a specific safety routine, but the image alone cannot confirm the airline’s exact procedure.
There is no universal rule requiring all flight attendants worldwide to use this precise hand position. Aviation procedures depend on the operator, aircraft, equipment, and applicable regulations.
The broader principle is straightforward: crew members must sit securely, use their restraints correctly, and follow the trained posture for their assigned jump seat. They should not improvise a position based only on something seen in a photograph or online video.
The hands may be kept still to help maintain the required posture, but the restraint system—not the placement of the hands alone—is a key part of keeping the crew member secured.