Personal greetings from the cabin manager - what can you (realistically) ask for?

[Mattg]

When you have status with the airline or alliance you're flying, you'll occasionally get a personal greeting from the Customer Service Manager (or purser/inflight service manager, depending on the airline) when flying in economy.

Usually this is a fairly standard greeting - they address you by name, welcome you on board, maybe mention how long the flight will take, and ask if there's anything they can do to make your flight more comfortable.

Now, obviously if I'm in economy, they could make my flight more comfortable by upgrading me. Clearly that's not going to happen, so I've never bothered to ask for that!

But what can you realistically ask for in this situation beyond perhaps an extra pillow, extra blanket, a bottle of water or maybe a cheeky glass of wine?

My most recent personal greeting was on an Emirates flight in Y, before takeoff. I believe the EK crew are not allowed to offer things from a higher cabin class, but I was thirsty so asked for a bottle of water and that wasn't a problem.

 

[Quickstatus]

It's all about the timing.
I dont ask for anything at the time of the greeting, but later I might ask for a freebie but I make sure its not outlandish.
Im easy, so its only about soft beverages.

Remember everyone, when in Y, speak only when spoken to.

 

[RooFlyer]

If we are talking international J, if dine on demand isn't the standard offering. I have asked if I might be one of the early or later servings of dinner, depending on my sleeping plan.

I wouldn’t usually ask for things like extra pillows, if I’d like one, until after the cabin settles down, as it’s unlikely to be available immediately, and they'll just forget later.

Best ever greeting and then constant follow up was on Lufthansa in business on a B747-800. Effortless remembering of my name throughout the flight and proactive offering of anything else, and I think everything was granted that I asked for.

 

[Quickstatus]

Best ever greeting and then constant follow up

Yes I think the proof of a genuine greeting (not contrived or required by management) is in the followup. Otherwise its not worth the whatever

 

[Anna]

On QFi if in Y and the CSM asks, I usually successfully ask for J headphones. Have also been proactively offered a glass of J sparkling. On QFd I've been served tea in a J cup and saucer rather than in the normal Y paper cup.

 

[Quickstatus]

On QFd I've been served tea in a J cup and saucer rather than in the normal Y paper cup.

Now that's a great idea. Ill try that next time

 

[flyingfan]

Realistically not much unless you have thick skin - I don't like asking for things like pyjamas/amenities kits/J/F food because it does start to devalue actually being in or paying for J/F, you face a refusal and it might really turn the FAs off this soft/unpublished benefit. I don't want to do that and ruin it for everyone.

What mightn't be too bad beyond what's been suggested, is to ask for something (like an amenities kit) clearly saying 'if there are any left over after the J/F pax have been taken care of,' so it doesn't sound too entitled.

The best solution is to avoid Y altogether

 

[Forg]

“Can you please disable the recline button on the seat in front of me” … ?
”Can I please borrow your Qantas-branded staff-issue machete for the ankles of the bloke with his bare feet on the bulkhead” … ?
”I have a Russian pollonium pill here, as a result of dinner could you please get it to Neil Perry for me” … ?

 

[henrus]

My most recent personal greeting was on an Emirates flight in Y, before takeoff. I believe the EK crew are not allowed to offer things from a higher cabin class, but I was thirsty so asked for a bottle of water and that wasn't a problem.

EK does greetings as a Gold in economy? EK pulled magazines from Y pre covid so I asked and they apologised saying only for first/business class.

On QFi if in Y and the CSM asks, I usually successfully ask for J headphones. Have also been proactively offered a glass of J sparkling. On QFd I've been served tea in a J cup and saucer rather than in the normal Y paper cup.

Curious if you just asked for a cup of tea and that's how it came or if you specifically asked for a cup of tea in a proper/J mug?

 

[Forg]

EK does greetings as a Gold in economy?

I suspect Matt's higher than Gold ... the only time I saw my better-half get a special greeting in international Y on QF was during the couple of years she was Platinum.

 

[Mattg]

EK does greetings as a Gold in economy?

Ah, thanks for the reminder to update my profile

 

[BAM1748]

I have sometimes asked for a beer 'out of hours' and always received. But don't ask for anything more than that, otherwise you turn into a DYKWIA.

 

[SYD]

On QF, J headphones used to be quite common but I BYO these days.

A couple of years ago, flying QF SYD-SIN (first row of whY on an A330), CSM was very pleasant and bought us a glass of J wine each. Random crew members subsequently turned up from behind the curtain with more glasses throughout the flight. That was nice - we were both QF WP.

Last year flying solo, I got similar and the bloke sitting next to me said, oh that would be nice and he got a glass of J wine also .

Quite a few years ago flying QF Y+ first row of A380, J PJs and amenities provided without asking.

 

[drron]

My best was on JAL on a flight from NRT - BNE. I was on my way back from the cricket world cup in the West Indies. The purser was the Purser on a JAL flight from NRT - JFK when a Japanese passenger became very ill with septicaemia. Fortunately her physician gave instructions and a supply of IV antibiotics so a diversion to ORD was averted.
It was a 744. I walked on and the Purser said Welcome aboard drron. Which seat do you want? You can choose any seat. I had already got a BP for the J seat with the most legroom anyway.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

With or without status I generally ask for two things… an economy blanket, ‘cause I find the premium offerings too hot, and for the temperature of the cabin to be at 21-22 degrees, for ease of sleeping.

In the main cabin I’ll ask for the vegetarian option in advance just in case they have limited numbers.

 

[bashworth]

Didn't ask. . . . but about 10 years ago travelling economy on Cathay Pacific as a Qantas Gold member . . . the Flight Attendant asked me for my meal choice and delivered it to me when the trolley had just started at the other end of the cabin.
Everyone else in my row looked envious!

 

[justinbrett]

I think the correct response (when asked before take off) is "I'm fine, thanks", then they know you're not a prat, and might proactively offer you things.

Most native English speakers know that "if there's anything I can do for you, just ask" is just a pleasantry, it's not supposed to be taken up. It's like when someone says "how are you?". I won't want your life story mate, just say fine and move along.

 

[jb747]

With or without status I generally ask for two things… an economy blanket, ‘cause I find the premium offerings too hot, and for the temperature of the cabin to be at 21-22 degrees, for ease of sleeping.

I always ask for it to be at 23.5.

 

[jcwhizz]

“Can you please disable the recline button on the seat in front of me” … ?
”Can I please borrow your Qantas-branded staff-issue machete for the ankles of the bloke with his bare feet on the bulkhead” … ?
”I have a Russian pollonium pill here, as a result of dinner could you please get it to Neil Perry for me” … ?

Actually slightly off topic but on QF36 last week increasingly large helpings of frustration / jaded sympathy was on offer from the CSM re Neil Perry and his efforts… helpfully, there were no menus loaded, so the crew were wandering around with their staff page of food pictures trying to work out what they actually had to serve everyone …. And what was pictured sure didn’t resemble what was served - and now everything including wine is apparently under NPs direction (the QF wine board having being abandoned) - so it’s really pot luck whats loaded and ends up on the trolley..

 

[Anna]

Curious if you just asked for a cup of tea and that's how it came or if you specifically asked for a cup of tea in a proper/J mug?

I just asked for a cup of tea. I didn't expect the lovely presentation! It was a nice surprise.