I’m a flight attendant and we say one word to passengers we think are good looking

A has revealed a subtle trick use when they secretly find a passenger attractive – and it’s all hidden in one simple word. Paula Gahan has been in the business for over a decade and according to the , crew members sometimes say “cheerio” instead of “goodbye” to passengers they secretly think are good-looking. 

The playful habit, known among as the “Cheerio Game,” is used during disembarkation as passengers leave the . Writing for , Paula explained that while most farewells are standard, a well-placed “cheerio” is a discreet way for crew members to signal their admiration without passengers ever realising. The game is said to have been passed down among over the years, with some staff using it frequently and others being more selective.

Paula herself admitted she has only used the term twice last year, saving it for a celebrity she found particularly attractive.

She said: “It’s simply saying ‘cheerio’ instead of ‘goodbye’ to any passengers you think are hot. 

“The first person who taught me the cheerio game was a flamboyant gay guy, and every half-decent-looking man received an exuberant ‘Cheerio, sir!’ without any clue as to what it meant. 

“He probably thought the crew was just a super-friendly bunch. I’m far more selective with my cheerios – I think I’ve only given out two in the last year, and they were both for Ashton Kutcher.”

Another giveaway that someone has caught the attention of the crew is if multiple flight attendants keep glancing at their seat number or walking past their row.

Some staff apparently point out passengers they find attractive to their colleagues, who then take a casual stroll through the cabin to see for themselves.

Flight attendants spend long hours in the air and often have inside jokes or little traditions to make their shifts more entertaining. 

Cabin crew have previously shared other lighthearted games they play during flights, including spotting passengers wearing funny slogans on their T-shirts and exchanging comments about quirky travel habits.

However, not all in-flight behaviour is met with approval. Some flight attendants have warned that passengers who drink too much on board and try to order alcohol from different crew members are always caught out. 

Others have spoken about the frustrations of dealing with difficult customers mid-flight.

But for those who suspect they might have received a well-placed “cheerio” from a flight attendant, it seems they’ve left a lasting impression – without even knowing it.