Flight attendants may place their hands under their thighs during takeoff and landing because it is part of a brace position used during safety demonstrations or emergency preparation.
The idea is that, if there were a sudden impact, the brace position helps reduce injury by:
- Keeping the body stable and secured
- Reducing flailing movements that can cause injuries
- Helping protect the arms and hands
- Keeping the body in a compact position
The hands-under-thighs position is sometimes taught to crew because it helps keep the arms close to the body and prevents them from being thrown forward during a sudden deceleration. Flight attendants also use this time to perform a silent review of emergency procedures, checking things like exits, equipment, and their assigned duties.
They are not doing it because takeoff or landing is especially dangerous—those phases simply have the highest workload and are when crews are most prepared for possible emergencies. Routine flights remain very safe.
