In aviation , flight attendants â '' also known as cabin crew , stewards , air hosts\/hostesses , or stewardesses , â '' are members of a cabin crew employed by airlines to ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers aboard commercial flights as well as on select business jet aircraft . Flight attendants or cabin crew ( also known as stewards\/stewardesses or air hosts\/hostesses ) are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights , on select business jet aircraft , and on some military aircraft .