The Crew Member Self Defense Training Program provides four-hours of training to prepare active crew members of all domestic scheduled carriers for potential physical altercations both on and off the aircraft.

Yes, flight attendants for major U.S. and international airlines are taught basic self-defense and de-escalation techniques as part of their mandatory safety training. While the primary focus is on "crew resource management" and verbal de-escalation, modern 2026 training programs include physical tactics for handling unruly or violent passengers. Many airlines utilize programs like the TSA’s "Crew Member Self Defense Training", which teaches flight crews how to use their body weight, common objects, and specific "restraint" techniques to neutralize a threat in the confined space of a cabin. In countries like South Korea and China, some airlines even require flight attendants to be proficient in martial arts like Taekwondo. While they are not "air marshals," they are trained to protect the flight deck at all costs and are equipped with the skills needed to restrain an individual using "flex-cuffs" if the safety of the flight is compromised.