Ideal flight
BTW, it is quite normal in some parts of the world for the crew to stow hand luggage for people who struggle with it or just to do it anyway as part of the service culture, so some who have experienced it may expect the same from you.
I found it quite embarrasing when a small asian female CC member insisted on loading my IATA case into the bin for me. Really dented the male ego
I found it quite embarrasing when a small asian female CC member insisted on loading my IATA case into the bin for me. Really dented the male ego
All other aspects and anything else they want to do for me is absolutely fine though! More fizz, yes please!
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Hi Gg......I'm loving this thread!!
Lots of really good replies as well re pax expectations.......I too would love a business class experience each time I fly. I would also want it for a loco price!
Just wanted to list a few of my expectations. There is some "aircrew humour" in here as am looking at things with both SLF and work hat on. Sensitive souls please take this on board:
Lots of really good replies as well re pax expectations.......I too would love a business class experience each time I fly. I would also want it for a loco price!
Just wanted to list a few of my expectations. There is some "aircrew humour" in here as am looking at things with both SLF and work hat on. Sensitive souls please take this on board:
- Pre flight everyone would have a stress free journey both to and through the airport. Preferably ensured by carrier for no or little extra charge. That way all pax boarding would be shiny happy peeps ready to enjoy their flight.
- Not only does the plane, crew, catering and bags turn up on time but so does all the SLF. Nothing more frustrating than sitting on a fully boarded flight whilst crew either try to find the last 2 remaining pax or their bags.
- That families who are given the privelidge of pre boarding actually do so in order to sit together. Really annoying to fellow pax and crew if you have been in McDonalds until the last minute and then expect this to be accomodated when you are last to board on a free seating cabin
- All pax in front of me have boarding passes at the ready and don't waste the CC's time complaining about the procedure
- All airlines carried extra seats which are put together in an instant so that nobody complains/gets offloaded re having to sit next to Mr and Mrs Tubby. Maybe an expanding fuselage as well for extra space?
- Those cute babies came with volume control on landing
- That the parent's of 8 year old seat kicker (one9iner's post) actually act as parents and take some responsibility for his behaviour
. - That the CC are consistently polite and smiling to the pax at all times.....even if they have been to Belfast 6 times that day!!
- That the toilets, boilers and oven never broke down in flight
- The "hot option" was loaded by the caterers in adequate quantities for a 6 sector day so a hungry pax on sector 6 could actually buy this. It would also be nice if it beared a passing resemblence to the magazine illustration......
- As for the loo's they can smell at any time......Please aim straight and don't add to the problem
- That the luggage allowance didn't appear to be subject to seemingly expanding gate crates which allow some pax at certain airports to bring on their home contents/furniture and then expect the CC to stow it above what could be my head
. How many of us frequent flyers have not seen an overhead locker open on take off/landing?
who expects good food on an aircraft ?
its hard enough finding it in a UK restaurant. Ask what sandwich they would like at check in then hand out the brown bags at boarding - job done and you can scrap the galleys and those lethal carts. Oh, and stop trying to flog that duty free crap in flight !
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What I really want when I fly is consistency of the product. Lufthansa is very good at this, usually. Iberia is very good at this as well, but the level certainly could be ameliorated.
I hate Air France exactly for this. One flight is great, the next one a nightmare. And, well, CDG is consitent!
Avianca amazes me every time I take them. When I started out on them they were, well, nothing very mentionable. Nowadays, there are some things larger, self declares service carriers could learn from...!
I hate Air France exactly for this. One flight is great, the next one a nightmare. And, well, CDG is consitent!
Avianca amazes me every time I take them. When I started out on them they were, well, nothing very mentionable. Nowadays, there are some things larger, self declares service carriers could learn from...!
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Completely agree with last comment ... consistency would be wonderful.
I think the original question was aimed at in-flight service, so I won't bang on about check-in and screening procedures (let's face it, life is too short for that). What I appreciate in flight is basically the following:
1. consistent service that reflects the class of cabin (I truly don't expect a J-class service if I fly economy, but I definitely don't expect economy service if I am up the front)
2. a courteous and friendly welcome by CC at the door (and to be escorted to seat if in First). Prompt collection of coat and distribution of welcome drink, newspaper, amenities etc. if in First or J.
3. a seat that functions and is not dirty, broken, collapsed, tray table knackered, audio not working etc. etc.
4. not to be bothered by perpetual nannying announcements/offers to purchase duty free/join frequent flyer clubs etc.
5. CC that is not arrogant, bullying or grumpy, i.e. with a service attitude. Ok, everyone has bad days, but you are paid not to take it out on the pax. Conversely, we should just have the manners and breeding not to take it out on you.
6. An edible selection of food (I am assuming a reasonably long flight here) that is served efficiently and courteously. A plastic tray hurled at me in economy is not pleasant, whatever the contents. Alternately, on a recent Korean Air long-haul, an economy meal was served with all the grace and courtesy of a first-class meal on United. I could taste the difference!
7. If up front, a reasonable wine list served efficiently and knowledgeably - by CC who have had at least one module of training on wine. Refills served just at the right time.
8. An entertainment system that functions and offers a reasonable selection. Sorry, but if it ain't on demand throughout all cabins, then your airline is woefully out of date.
9. A CC where at least one person is available throughout the flight, as opposed to one where they ALL go off and hide behind the curtains as soon as the light goes out and appear very disgruntled if disturbed (or the AlItalia crew a few years ago who stood around in the galley smoking (yes, you did read that correctly)).
I think that's about it. I don't think it is too much to ask. In fact, I have to say this is exactly the service I got on two flight last month (VS LHR-SFO Upper, and BA LGW-KIN J). Thoroughly professional, cheerful, efficient and pleasant crew who knew exactly how to behave to make a very frequent traveller contented. The worrying thing, as pointed out before, is that (especially with BA and AA) the consistency is lacking - one flight great, the next flight awful.
Final thought: I think we all understand that the glory days of the 80s are over in terms of business travel. Corners are being cut, frills are trimmed. I can't yet say that the business class of today is the economy class of the 1980s, but it is getting that way. On the other hand, there are vast improvements in terms of e.g. in flight entertainment, flat beds etc., that make life better. The whole exercise of air travel is vile and vicious, and this affects everyone, SLF and CC alike. I fully agree that SLF should treat CC with respect and courtesy, rude and arrogant pax (which I am not) are thoroughly obnoxious. On the other hand, CC, whilst there are many things you can't do anything about, such as your airlines' policy on meals, wine choices, etc. etc., a pleasant demeanour and cheerful disposition, and doing the best you can with the tools at your disposal, can make all the difference between a pax coming back for more and choosing a different carrier next time.
Hope this makes sense!
I think the original question was aimed at in-flight service, so I won't bang on about check-in and screening procedures (let's face it, life is too short for that). What I appreciate in flight is basically the following:
1. consistent service that reflects the class of cabin (I truly don't expect a J-class service if I fly economy, but I definitely don't expect economy service if I am up the front)
2. a courteous and friendly welcome by CC at the door (and to be escorted to seat if in First). Prompt collection of coat and distribution of welcome drink, newspaper, amenities etc. if in First or J.
3. a seat that functions and is not dirty, broken, collapsed, tray table knackered, audio not working etc. etc.
4. not to be bothered by perpetual nannying announcements/offers to purchase duty free/join frequent flyer clubs etc.
5. CC that is not arrogant, bullying or grumpy, i.e. with a service attitude. Ok, everyone has bad days, but you are paid not to take it out on the pax. Conversely, we should just have the manners and breeding not to take it out on you.
6. An edible selection of food (I am assuming a reasonably long flight here) that is served efficiently and courteously. A plastic tray hurled at me in economy is not pleasant, whatever the contents. Alternately, on a recent Korean Air long-haul, an economy meal was served with all the grace and courtesy of a first-class meal on United. I could taste the difference!
7. If up front, a reasonable wine list served efficiently and knowledgeably - by CC who have had at least one module of training on wine. Refills served just at the right time.
8. An entertainment system that functions and offers a reasonable selection. Sorry, but if it ain't on demand throughout all cabins, then your airline is woefully out of date.
9. A CC where at least one person is available throughout the flight, as opposed to one where they ALL go off and hide behind the curtains as soon as the light goes out and appear very disgruntled if disturbed (or the AlItalia crew a few years ago who stood around in the galley smoking (yes, you did read that correctly)).
I think that's about it. I don't think it is too much to ask. In fact, I have to say this is exactly the service I got on two flight last month (VS LHR-SFO Upper, and BA LGW-KIN J). Thoroughly professional, cheerful, efficient and pleasant crew who knew exactly how to behave to make a very frequent traveller contented. The worrying thing, as pointed out before, is that (especially with BA and AA) the consistency is lacking - one flight great, the next flight awful.
Final thought: I think we all understand that the glory days of the 80s are over in terms of business travel. Corners are being cut, frills are trimmed. I can't yet say that the business class of today is the economy class of the 1980s, but it is getting that way. On the other hand, there are vast improvements in terms of e.g. in flight entertainment, flat beds etc., that make life better. The whole exercise of air travel is vile and vicious, and this affects everyone, SLF and CC alike. I fully agree that SLF should treat CC with respect and courtesy, rude and arrogant pax (which I am not) are thoroughly obnoxious. On the other hand, CC, whilst there are many things you can't do anything about, such as your airlines' policy on meals, wine choices, etc. etc., a pleasant demeanour and cheerful disposition, and doing the best you can with the tools at your disposal, can make all the difference between a pax coming back for more and choosing a different carrier next time.
Hope this makes sense!
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what expectations do you have from a flight?
-Arriving on time and safely
I don't ask too much, do I?
As I travel only with hand-luggage, no need to go to the check-in counter. I use small airports, no chance of huge security lines. I take my own food, no chance to be poisoned by plastic aircraft food. I don't use aircraft toilets, as I don't need that for 1 or 2 hours, so I don't have to risk a dirty/smelly one to make me noseous or anything.
For me this is the best and the most stress-free way to fly
And luckily all my 2 expectations have been reached everytime I took a flight so far, so no complains whatsoever
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LPFR,
You have won my very own "BEST PAX" award!
I would love you to be in my fights. Mind you, you probably have been in one of my flights. I tend to get 99.9% amazing pax, with common sense and manners.
Shame there's always that 0.01% that could ruin the day...
I agree with everything people on here want from a flight; except:
Yes it is very unreasonable. We try, we really do try to keep the toilets tidy, but you have to bare in mind it's not the crew who does all that mess and is responsable for the "smell". It's fellow pax, so you might want to take it up with them. Failing that, you could always write to all airlines and ask them to recruit, train and employ "cabin/toilet crew cleaners" for the flight. It'll be like having an extra crew member, like having a sky chef, or a sky nanny on board... (not comparing these jobs to a cleaner's job, just an example or idea to the job title)
Your statement above is one of the reasons why i'd REALLY love to have a badge on my jacket collar that says:
"Flight Attendant (Cabin Crew on the other side of the pond). Here to save your a$$, not kiss it"
You have won my very own "BEST PAX" award!
I would love you to be in my fights. Mind you, you probably have been in one of my flights. I tend to get 99.9% amazing pax, with common sense and manners.
Shame there's always that 0.01% that could ruin the day...
I agree with everything people on here want from a flight; except:
And do you think it is unreasonable for a customer to complain if the cabin or toilet is smelly and/or dirty?
Your statement above is one of the reasons why i'd REALLY love to have a badge on my jacket collar that says:
"Flight Attendant (Cabin Crew on the other side of the pond). Here to save your a$$, not kiss it"
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The issue here, sadly, is that as pax we've already undergone a myriad of unpleasant experiences just to get on the aircraft.
Then most of us will endure rather than enjoy a flight, especially long-haul in steerage, so the veneer of civilised behaviour we all wear in public - well, some of us, anyway - is already worn pretty thin by the time we're at cruise. It doesn't take much by that point for more primitive instincts to break through.
That's not to condone bad behaviour but, I believe, to explain it.
Then most of us will endure rather than enjoy a flight, especially long-haul in steerage, so the veneer of civilised behaviour we all wear in public - well, some of us, anyway - is already worn pretty thin by the time we're at cruise. It doesn't take much by that point for more primitive instincts to break through.
That's not to condone bad behaviour but, I believe, to explain it.
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You have won my very own "BEST PAX" award!
What airline do you work for?
Oh yes, talking about respect and manners, I think that's important for a nice and relaxed journey. What's the point of getting stressed or angry and being disrespectful at 33,000ft? It just ruins your flight and 150 people's more.
Never experienced anything like that but I know some stories of some flights that were not very pleasant to be because of lack of manners on board.
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GG - great thread!
I'm afraid most of my less-than-ideal flights have been thus made so by the actions of other SLF. Rudeness, ignorance, and lack of consideration for others rate highly, as well as selfishness and cavalier disregard for rules, social norms and common courtesy. This goes for pax on any airline and in any class of travel in my experience.
On that basis, perhaps my ideal flight would be on a bizjet - on my own!
I'm afraid most of my less-than-ideal flights have been thus made so by the actions of other SLF. Rudeness, ignorance, and lack of consideration for others rate highly, as well as selfishness and cavalier disregard for rules, social norms and common courtesy. This goes for pax on any airline and in any class of travel in my experience.
On that basis, perhaps my ideal flight would be on a bizjet - on my own!
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I took five flights last week:
1 x Air Malta
2 x Lufthansa
2 x Egyptair
Check in was online, with hand luggage, security was painless.
All left within 30 minutes of the scheduled departure time and all arrived within 20 mins or less.
The service was delivered pleasantly and professionally on all segments.
No outstanding efforts, no poor efforts.
These flights were as close to ideal as it gets.
1 x Air Malta
2 x Lufthansa
2 x Egyptair
Check in was online, with hand luggage, security was painless.
All left within 30 minutes of the scheduled departure time and all arrived within 20 mins or less.
The service was delivered pleasantly and professionally on all segments.
No outstanding efforts, no poor efforts.
These flights were as close to ideal as it gets.
