Why you shouldn't press the call button during conflicts on board

Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, explained why you should not press the call button during a conflict on an airplane. According to her, passengers can be accidentally injured because they intervene in the situation.

Sara also noted that fights before and after a flight can distract staff from possible terrorist attacks or other serious problems. The expert told CNN what passengers should do in case of trouble on a flight.

Witnesses who have spotted conflicting behavior or loud swearing should alert flight attendants. Nelson claims that employees will be able to resolve an unpleasant situation in advance

"We are trained in deescalation, and also in how to direct other people to help. So unless there’s an imminent threat of people getting hurt, we really advise passengers not to take action on their own because they may inadvertently make the situation worse," said Sara.

The flight attendant warns that pressing the call button in the presence of an aggressive interlocutor can provoke them. It is better to attract the attention of someone from the next row so that they do it themselves.

The president of the association recommends avoiding conversations with violent neighbors and staying away from  confrontations, as there is a chance of becoming a victim.

If travelers witness a fight, they should move with their children to a safer place and wait for the flight attendants to resolve the situation.