What do you want/expect on board?

[medhead]

International flights to/from LHR when she was 18months, she got nothing and we'd paid for a seat for her (she did get meals, I'm just talking activity packs here). That same trip we flew on BA, Air France, and Lufthansa in Europe, where she sat on our laps for all flights, and all of those airlines offered her an activity pack or something. Very much appreciated, even though I had toys, games, books, etc packed for her.

Out of interest did you book a child's meal for the flight where you paid for a seat? I think that a couple of time on domestic when we haven't had something on the booking to show there were children, like kids meal, then the kids don't get an activity pack. Or the FA's have been surprised to see kids.

Basically, I suspect there is a gap where they don't actually check the DOB, but infant on lap or child's meal they know they need a pack.

 

[dajop]

Basically, I suspect there is a gap where they don't actually check the DOB, but infant on lap or child's meal they know they need a pack.

As with QF everything doesn't always make sense. My sister recently flew to visit me from PHE-PER-SIN by herself with her two girls - 18mth & 2yr10mth old (insane, especially with the nature of the intl->dom tfr at PER, but that's another story!). PHE-PER a few little things, but no childrens pack from PER-SIN - the longer intl sector (one was on a paid child fare):?: But I have since checked QF website, and packs only available for 3-6 yo and 7-11yo. If you have a 2 yo (obviously on a paid fare) ... nothing.

 

[medhead]

But I have since checked QF website, and packs only available for 3-6 yo and 7-11yo. If you have a 2 yo (obviously on a paid fare) ... nothing.

Ohh, I swear I remember getting a activity pack for an infant (@ 23 months and 40 days old ) but that was 6 years ago. No doubt they changed it.

 

[Katie]

Out of interest did you book a child's meal for the flight where you paid for a seat?

Absolutely, she got child's meals - and I rang QF a few times before our Aus departure to ensure she was ticketed as a child. A rellie flew with JAL on QF code share with her 18mth old in 2003, and did not ensure her child (where he had a paid child's seat) had a child's meal ordered, so there was none for him. She got child's meals, and they were great, and often a source of entertainment, or snacks once we arrived at our destination.

I just found it contradictory after getting a 3yo+ activity pack when she was 7 months old, to not get a thing at 18mths. And then get items ranging from colouring in pads & pencils to a beanie on all the flights in Europe where we *didn't* pay for a seat for her. After the Euro200 excess baggage fee in Venice, I probably won't not book a seat for an 18mth old again. Though that's not something an FA can do anything about.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Just a smile really and no cranky FA's. That's about it.

 

[dede]

The complimentary alcohol on all flights for WPs sounds good to me. I hope these comments get passed to Qantas. There are a lot of good suggestions.

 

[NYCguy]

The complimentary alcohol on all flights for WPs sounds good to me. I hope these comments get passed to Qantas. There are a lot of good suggestions.

That'll go over well with the rest of the Y cabin.

 

[tuapekastar]

That'll go over well with the rest of the Y cabin.

How would you know, you're never there?

Just joking ...I suspect you're right in that there would be a quite a few confused/disgruntled pax as a result.

Someone suggested a swipe of the Plat card as 'payment'...this may at least have the benefit of creating the impression the drink was paid for.

 

[dede]

How would you know, you're never there?

Just joking ...I suspect you're right in that there would be a quite a few confused/disgruntled pax as a result.

Someone suggested a swipe of the Plat card as 'payment'...this may at least have the benefit of creating the impression the drink was paid for.

Much the same way that AA have gone cashless and you can only pay with credit cards. It would be our little secret, mum's the word!

Now if I could only work out that secret handshake.....

 

[serfty]

The complimentary alcohol on all flights for WPs sounds good to me. I hope these comments get passed to Qantas. There are a lot of good suggestions.

]That'll go over well with the rest of the Y cabin.[/QUOTE]Actually, AA have started this for their EXP's (although the implementation is somewhat inconsistent).

See this thread on FT: Free Wine drink and/or minor snack for EXP in Mainline Y - FlyerTalk Forums

Originally posted by FAAA

RE: PREMIUM CUSTOMER IN COACH

THE PREMIUM CUSTOMER IN COACH INITIATIVE, WHICH BEGAN ON

SEPTEMBER 1, RECOGNIZES OUR HIGHEST TOP TIER CUSTOMERS WHO ARE

SEATED IN COACH. ONLY THE EXECUTIVE PLATINUM AND CONCIERGE

KEY CUSTOMERS ARE RECIPIENTS OF ANY FOOD FOR SALE ITEM, SHELF

STABLE OR FRESH, AT NO CHARGE. THESE CUSTOMERS ARE TO BE

PERSONALLY THANKED FOR BEING CUSTOMERS BEFORE THE

MEAL/BEVERAGE SERVICE, AND PROVIDED PERSONAL CONNECTING GATE

INFORMATION.

Print this out and show it to the F/A.. So you do get a sandwich if you want one. A sandwich is a fresh product. I don't see anything about a free coughtail.

 

[browski]

This point has been debated ad nauseum both here and elsewhere. Why cheapen the product to the point where, a la UA, passengers come to feel entitled to an upgrade every time they fly, and therefore don't buy a ticket in F or J at all? If you desperately want to sit up the front, then buy the ticket, otherwise join the upgrade lottery and be gracious in defeat if your numbers don't come out of the barrel.

I am not suggesting a "free upgrade"; I am expecting an upgrade with my points. Remember that the airline is in my debt. It is not a lottery if they in fact OWE ME the seat.
Anyway, the airlines will be thrilled to note that you've drunk the cool aid.

 

[Dave Noble]

I am not suggesting a "free upgrade"; I am expecting an upgrade with my points. Remember that the airline is in my debt. It is not a lottery if they in fact OWE ME the seat.
Anyway, the airlines will be thrilled to note that you've drunk the cool aid.

They do not owe you any specific seat; they will offer upgrades when there is availability to a level where they are prepared to allow points usage

This is what you agreed to when joining; QF ( unlike at least one FF programme ) does not offer onboard points upgrades

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

I am not suggesting a "free upgrade"; I am expecting an upgrade with my points. Remember that the airline is in my debt. It is not a lottery if they in fact OWE ME the seat.

It is a lottery given the number of seats available for a points upgrade, versus the number of others who are in the lottery for an upgrade themselves. Maybe not a lottery - more a raffle

 

[browski]

They do not owe you any specific seat; they will offer upgrades when there is availability to a level where they are prepared to allow points usage

This is what you agreed to when joining; QF ( unlike at least one FF programme ) does not offer onboard points upgrades

Dave

I understand the current situation Dave. But this thread is about "What you want/expect on board", not what currently is in place.........

 

[trippin_the_rift]

A couple of things I've noticed that can make the flight more pleasant for everyone:-

• Less announcements. The speakers are either too loud, crackly or too soft. There's no need for announcements every 5 minutes - especially on international flights. I've noticed a few times in the J cabin where there are announcements made for economy but not for J/F. Those pesky Y passengers don't want their movie disturbed either. Or at least, if a night flight, talk more gently if something must be said.

• "Welcome Back Mr xx_XX" is nice, but we hear this all day and it becomes rather mundane. Rather like "thank you"... everyone says it and over time has lost it's meaning. Try something more specific to the person... like "Hey, nice to see you again Mr xx_X". While for a split second we may think you're odd - we'll be thinking about how a FA remembered my face (rather than my status).

• +1 for free booze for WP anytime, anyflight

At the end of the day Gold/Plats want to feel singled out and highly valued. We don't care that you see 1000000 platinums a day, we only care about us. So make it about the individual rather than 'another wanker platinum'

 

[Justinf]

All I want from FAs is someone who treats me as a valued guest and not as an annoying intruder. Smile and pretend to be happy to see me. Good humour is always appreciated.
Thanks for posting 737, wish there were more like you.

 

[anat0l]

Smile and pretend to be happy to see me..

Pretending to be happy is often easy to spot; chances are markedly lower if the pax is male and a little bit easier if the FA is male (so best odds are female pax with male FA; worse are male pax with female FA). Someone pretending to be happy is worse than someone who doesn't look happy IMO (although this isn't black and white).

+1 on good sense of humour. Need to be careful, though - not all of our guests are accustomed to the jovial type of humour in the Australian environment. Some jokes that we crack about constantly can grate on other people's cultures, values and morals. Perhaps the answer is "only come to the party if you're invited", but then there may be some sullen people who need cheering up and relies on someone to start the humour to get them going; they will continue to be blue.

 

[Hvr]

All I want from FAs is someone who treats me as a valued guest and not as an annoying intruder. Smile and pretend to be happy to see me. Good humour is always appreciated.
Thanks for posting 737, wish there were more like you.

I agree with Justin here. I find that I am welcomed on board by name and not given directions to my seat which acknowledges that I am a FF who knows my way around a plane.

Alcohol is irrelevant to me as a teetotaller. Some diet soft drinks other than coke would be good, i.e. diet lemonade and/or diet lemon.

Food? Well on short flights not a big issue given that I have usually eaten in the QP. On long flights maybe getting my first choice before non-FFers would be a welcome bonus.

Maybe confirmation of point upgrades a little bit further than five hours out would be good for WP/SGs if that is possible. Especially when there are light loads, on heavy loads I appreciate that it may not be possible.

 

[medhead]

I agree with Justin here. I find that I am welcomed on board by name and not given directions to my seat which acknowledges that I am a FF who knows my way around a plane.

Yeah! I do like not getting directions to the seat, or rather get turned off by directions.

In terms of "thank you" being ignored. That is why I usually say "cheers mate" (for male or female) sure it's cliche ocka, but it's not "Thank you"

 

[tuapekastar]

Yeah! I do like not getting directions to the seat, or rather get turned off by directions.

I don't mind...just part of the routine. I have to show them the BP, and unless they know that I know exactly where my seat is, then I think they're obliged to tell me. And I politely and concisely thank them.