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For many air passengers, the moments before takeoff and after touchdown are spent distracted - scrolling on phones, watching the cabin crew demonstration with half an eye, or simply waiting for the flight to settle into cruise. But for cabin crew, these moments represent the most safety-critical phases of any journey, requiring intense focus, strict procedures and a carefully trained physical posture that many travellers notice but rarely understand.

During these phases, flight attendants are actively monitoring the cabin to ensure everything is secure. Passengers must be seated, seatbelts fastened, tray tables stowed and seats upright, allowing the crew to concentrate fully on safety. According to aviation professionals, this heightened state of readiness is essential because the majority of incidents occur during takeoff and landing.

Speaking to Travel + Leisure, Katherine Drossos, a trained flight attendant and in-flight supervisor at Cirrus Aviation Services, explained the significance of this period. "During the critical phases of flight, specifically takeoff and landing, cabin hosts ensure the cabin is fully secure and passengers are seated, briefed, and prepared. This allows full focus on safety during the most sensitive portions of the flight," she says.

One aspect of that preparation is the safety briefing, which covers seatbelt use, oxygen masks and life vests. However, once the demonstration is complete and the aircraft begins its ascent or descent, passengers may notice something else: flight attendants sitting upright in their jump seats with their hands placed firmly on their thighs or tucked beneath their legs.

While it is often assumed they are simply "sitting on their hands", Drossos says the posture is intentional. "What passengers often interpret as cabin hosts 'sitting on their hands' is actually a deliberate brace-ready position. Cabin hosts sit upright in the jump seat with feet flat on the floor and hands secured on their thighs or beneath the legs," she explains.

"This posture stabilizes the body, minimizes the risk of injury during sudden movement or turbulence, and ensures hands are immediately available to respond if an evacuation or safety action is required."

Although exact hand placement can vary depending on airline policy or aircraft type, the purpose remains consistent. Drossos notes that the position is designed to maintain "stability, alertness, and immediate readiness during the most critical phases of flight".

The physical posture is only one part of the process. While seated, cabin crew also carry out a silent mental review of emergency procedures. "While seated, cabin hosts also conduct a silent safety review, mentally walking through emergency procedures, identifying exits, and confirming evacuation commands and responsibilities," Drossos explains. This ensures they are fully prepared to act instantly if something goes wrong.

The practice gained widespread attention after a flight attendant known as @_hennylim went viral on TikTok for explaining the procedure. In her video, she showed two crew members boarding the aircraft, settling into their jump seats, fastening their seatbelts and placing their hands beneath their legs.

She described the position as the "bracing position", explaining that it involves sitting upright with palms facing up, thumbs tucked, arms relaxed and feet flat on the floor. The aim, she said, is to restrict movement and reduce injury in the event of an unplanned impact.

Passengers are not required to adopt the same brace position, but experts advise remaining attentive during safety briefings, reading the safety card, keeping seatbelts fastened and ensuring seats are upright during takeoff and landing. While it may look simple, the way flight attendants sit reflects extensive training and constant vigilance - a quiet but vital part of keeping everyone on board safe.