Has an airline done something unexpected for your birthday?

[Mattg]

On a Cathay Pacific flight last week, the cabin crew brought a birthday card that was signed by all the crew to the lady sitting across the aisle from me in business class. It was totally unexpected and the lady was chuffed.

I've heard of someone else receiving a piece of birthday cake on Qantas.

Have you had any birthday surprises from an airline? And did you tell them it was your birthday, or did they just know?

 

[KTA Return]

On QF75 last week in J I woke to find a birthday card from the crew and a Qantas keyring gift even though my birthday was the week before. Adding to that it was a great crew and a big jump up from some of the previous crews I have had.

 

[flyingsal]

Last year we flew Qantas, returning from a Japan holiday to Hobart, 2 days before my son turned 16. He scored birthday wishes from a cheery and cheeky flight attendant, plus a little bag of Lindt chocolates. (Enough to share!)
There were two other 'birthday week' passengers who got the same. An unexpected and nice gesture.

 

[Hunter4vr]

My wife got a card signed by all of the crew and a model A350 plane on JAL, we didn't say anything so they must have picked up on it. Was a nice touch.

 

[whughes3]

Earlier this year, flying QF J, I was greeted with "Happy birthday" at the boarding door by the CSM, and there was a birthday card at my seat,

 

[RooFlyer]

Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer always sends me birthday greeting e-mail - on the actual day.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

About ten years ago, flying British Airways from PVG-LHR i had a flight attendant come down to Y with a bottle of bubbles, put it in the overhead and tell me that they hoped i could have a good birthday drink or two once we landed.

 

[Seat0B]

I’ve never flown on my actual birthday - so there is so something to add to my bucket list!

 

[SYD]

A comp upgrade from whY to J flying QF ADL-SYD one year.

 

[kpc]

Birthday cake, card and teddy bear....on Sq F Sin-Hkg. I had to stop them singing happy birthday

 

[Katie]

An op up from Y to J on my BNE-ADL Sunday morning flight last year. And a birthday greeting from the FA.

 

[VPS]

Flew on my birthday and I got a Happy Birthday on my boarding pass and that was it

 

[luxury-lizard]

This wasn't really a surprise but last year I went to the Cook Islands (via AKL) - the flight ex-AKL departed on my birthday and landed the day before so I had 2 birthdays. I mentioned this to the NZ crew and they made a bit of a fuss - cup of lollies, etc

 

[Forg]

Airline, no … but we were at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck for my wife’s birthday in 2018 (a lucky score on my part - they sell 3-month batches of reservations at a time & they sell-out within a day - me getting dinner reservations on her birthday was a big coup for me!) and they baked her a one-off Italian dessert which she has fond childhood memories of as a surprise extra course they threw-in along with a card signed by all the kitchen staff.
Yes it’s an expensive meal - but stuff like that embiggens your desire to go back!
Which is the same with airlines. They’re not doing it because they think they can get your business the next time you’re travelling on your birthday, they’re doing it ‘cos they know it makes your experience more enjoyable & that means you’re more likely to choose them in future … making the customer enjoy their experience gets return custom, who knew!

 

[henleybeach]

Flying Etihad, Melb to Auh ten years ago, after boarding the FA come to my seat in business class and wished me happy birthday. She then gave me the first class menu and said I can order from this for the flight.
She was Aussie and we had great chats throughout the flight.