Let’s begin with the ending first, as this is where they work the magic! Here it is, you’re into the flight for several hours. Your skin feels tight and dry, your back feels twisted and broken; you look in the lav to see the reflection of someone who just went through a rainstorm – messy hair, washed-out face, and fatigued. And, then it hits you, the holy grail of refreshment that every flight attendant swears by – brushing your teeth.
Yes, I know its hard to believe but brushing your teeth works it all. Nothing fancy and debilitating, no fancy cute serum, no fancy energy drink. Veteran cabin crew, Kris Major, who has been in the sky for over 25 years, said it best, “Brushing your teeth is the number one way to feel fresh again.” This ritual is done by every crew person immediately before they enter service again, sometimes even in the middle of the night.
A Little Pick Me Up After the Refresh Button
Once your teeth feel bright and feel great again, there is usually either a cup of hot coffee or tea waiting. This isn’t just because we feel fancy, but we know that grabbing coffee is that tiny bit of psychological lift you need when the bright cabin lights flick back on. Passengers get the same hit when they wake up in the cabin and grab their hot drink, it essentially has the same effect on their mood. It is not so much about the caffeine “hit,” (however it does help). It’s about us giving ourselves permission to wake up (tricking our brains) to feel alive again.
The Battle Before the Smile
But let’s rewind the clock a bit. Long flights, cramped seats, less than fresh air — what’s the one thing they have in common? They are exhausting. Although flight attendants seem effortlessly polished, the battle against jet lag, fatigue, and an endless amount of turbulence is very real. Yet they step onto the aircraft and greet you with a smile or say the words: “Would you like some water?” in a perfectly pressed uniform.
So what’s the reality? Within every calm “Good morning” or the words “Would you like some water” is an expedited process worked into a short 10-minute break that includes several things. Brushing teeth, splashing water on their face, reapplying makeup, straightening their uniform, and fixing their hair. Then they take a breath, share a few words with each other and re-enter the cabin as if nothing happened.
When Freshness is Mandatory in Your Job
Looking fresh isn’t a choice in their world – it is part of the act. The airplane cabin is their workshop. Every flight is a show. From London to Jakarta, the expectation is the same – when you look tired, you must still look prepared for the bombardment the world could throw at you.
This is where that little toothbrush becomes a weapon. Not just for hygiene, but also for psychological reasons. The minty fresh sensation lets your brain know that it’s time to wake up, straighten your posture, and reset your attitude. It really is like caffeine, but in mint form.
The Lessons Hidden Within for Travelers
If travelers could take away one trick from the professional experience, it would be this: take fifteen minutes to freshen up in the middle of your journey. Wash your face, brush your teeth, and take a moment to groom your hair before the next segment of your trip begins, even if it’s just a meeting that you are heading to post-flight. You will genuinely feel as if you are more awake and more confident.
And when you finish, have a reward — order a cup of tea or coffee, put your feet up, and enjoy that little victory over fatigue.
Travel takes it out of everyone, from passengers to flight attendants. But, freshness is not comfort — it is a ritual. Sometimes, it is not the eight hours of sleep, or the perfect skincare routine that gives you a glow. It is the little, consistent things: brushing your teeth at midnight, exchanging a smile before the next flight or taking that sip of hot tea when you need it the most.
Because freshness at thirty-five thousand feet is not magic — it is simply discipline in disguise.
