Why buy a business class ticket then?

[AirHostess]

Short flight yesterday. Fat business man.

"I don't know why I bother paying for Club...these are exactly the same as economy seats and all I get is a flimsy curtain and a salmon salad...what a waste of money...happens everytime I fly."

I was tempted to agree with him and point out that a defination of madness is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. I just smiled and nodded and went hmmm. Seriously who are these people who pay hundreds of £££ for such a short flight? If he was that bothered why continue to buy business class tickets? I don't understand!

[HawaiianShirts]

Of course, I wasn't there, so I can't say this with any certainty, but what that guy's little tirade says to me is this: "I deserve special treatment because I paid extra for my flight. If I whine, perhaps I'll get this flight attendant to feel sorry for me and give me something extra." Y'know, something like a free glass of wine on the flights where alcoholic beverages incur extra charges, or if the flight was big enough perhaps an upgrade to the next class seat above his, or a free future flight to make up for his displeasure, etc.

Just his phrasing and the pauses make me think that he wanted something for free instead of it being an actual complaint about his trips. Of course, actually ASKING for what he wants probably never crossed this guy's mind...

[Lingering Grin]

Actually, the free glass of wine might not be a bad idea.
Throw the first drink in for free, any others... he pays full.


Not saying to do it after they complain, but before, as a courtesy. Might just preempt some of those complaints a bit

[Evil Queen]

Throw the first drink in his face.

Edited for my amusement.

[AirHostess]

Hmmm well we are one of the few airlines left with everything being free onboard-in all classes. In Club they have also recieve free champagne and upgraded meals.

I think his basic complaint was that on our shorthaul aircraft all the seats are the same. The Club cabin configuration varies depending on the loads. The cleaners come on and they can squish the seats together to reduce the configuration-this makes the seats wider. We also have a cabin divider and curtains that the cleaners move up or down. Once inflight we pull the curtains across to create a separate 'cabin.'

On longhaul flights airlines have physically separate cabins with bulkheads between them as well as curtains, seats which turn into beds etc

[crazylegs]

I'm assuming that the short haul hops are well below double digits, so what the cowthulu is he moaning about? Unless he's paid for everything to be covered in gold (which would be rather expensive because it's so bloody heavy) I can't see why there is any justification in his complaint.

[One-Fang]

I can see where it's kind of bizarre to get charged more for what is essentially exactly the same seat and service. But dude ... YOU paid for it!

If it's that sucky an idea, just buy the freaking coach class tickets.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Edited for my amusement.

Damn, beat me to it


This story put the song "Walking in Memphis" in my head:

I got a first class ticket, but I'm as blue as a boy can be.

[mharbourgirl]

Hmmm well we are one of the few airlines left with everything being free onboard-in all classes. In Club they have also recieve free champagne and upgraded meals.

Upgraded meals... is that where you get 'marginally edible' instead of 'unidentifiable'?

[Mr Yuck]

Upgraded meals... is that where you get 'marginally edible' instead of 'unidentifiable'?

If the airline Katie works for is the one i've guessed it is, then I've flown it in Club from Chicago to London several times. The food is excellent.....as was the care we received every time. Unlimited gin and tonics are nice too.

[mharbourgirl]

If the airline Katie works for is the one i've guessed it is, then I've flown it in Club from Chicago to London several times. The food is excellent.....as was the care we received every time. Unlimited gin and tonics are nice too.

Now I'm grouchy. The few times I've flown, the food has been hideous. I'm pretty sure the lumps in black sauce over a ball of congealed possibly-rice was supposed to be chicken teriyaki, but you couldn't prove it by me. And my breakfast muffin was still frozen when the flight attendant dumped it on my tray-table and it bounced into my lap. Not to mention another flight when I was told it was a ham&swiss sandwich and couldn't find the cheese inside the dry, crusty bun (or the ham either, for that matter).

Sorry, has a VERY low opinion of airline food because it's never been anything but gross in my experience.

[Mr Yuck]

Now I'm grouchy. The few times I've flown, the food has been hideous. I'm pretty sure the lumps in black sauce over a ball of congealed possibly-rice was supposed to be chicken teriyaki, but you couldn't prove it by me. And my breakfast muffin was still frozen when the flight attendant dumped it on my tray-table and it bounced into my lap. Not to mention another flight when I was told it was a ham&swiss sandwich and couldn't find the cheese inside the dry, crusty bun (or the ham either, for that matter).

Sorry, has a VERY low opinion of airline food because it's never been anything but gross in my experience.

You'll get no argument from me regarding normal airline cuisine.

[taxguykarl]

Now I'm grouchy. The few times I've flown, the food has been hideous. I'm pretty sure the lumps in black sauce over a ball of congealed possibly-rice was supposed to be chicken teriyaki, but you couldn't prove it by me. And my breakfast muffin was still frozen when the flight attendant dumped it on my tray-table and it bounced into my lap. Not to mention another flight when I was told it was a ham&swiss sandwich and couldn't find the cheese inside the dry, crusty bun (or the ham either, for that matter).

Sorry, has a VERY low opinion of airline food because it's never been anything but gross in my experience.

That buries what I've been served on the few flights that even offer food. They claimed it was roast pork, but it looked more like chicken and tasted like cellophane.
The next airline meal I injest that is even worth the now added-on fee will be the first. The last time, my wife and I bought a meal at the airport food court and carried it on--so much better than the overpriced whatever they offered on the plane.

[Becks]

Upgraded meals... is that where you get 'marginally edible' instead of 'unidentifiable'?

I pity people who get bad airline food.

I've flown Continental, and they offer the cutest and yummiest little turkey (or ham) sandwiches.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

This is why I like flying Midwest. The only food I get on that airline is chocolate chip cookies. How hard are those to screw up?

I always eat something in the airport before I get on the plane, so that I am not tempted to see if airline food lives down to its reputation.