A flight attendant has dished the dirt on what the secret phrase asking if 'Tom Cruise is on the plane' really means - and it's not about the A-list celebrity.

Cabin crew can often be heard asking if the actor is on board at the start of the meal service, but sadly it's nothing glamorous.

Ben McFarlane, a flying doctor and author, told MailOnline that he's spent months asking flight attendants to explain different mysterious phrases used while in the air.

He revealed what the code phrase 'Tom Cruise' means - and it's actually to do with tea and coffee.

The flying doctor explained flight attendants use 'Tom' as a code word for tea, while 'Cruise' is for coffee to avoid any accidental mix-ups.

"It's cabin crew code to work out which of the identical pots on the trolley contains coffee and which contains tea," he explained.

"If 'Tom Cruise is on board' then crew are following T&C positions that day. Tea, Tom, is in the pot on the left of the cart.

"Coffee, Cruise, is in the identical pot on the right. Simples."

So, next time you're flying and hear Tom Cruise getting called from the aisle, don't get too excited.

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