Onboard Greetings

[boomy]

it may be true to a certain extent... but all it takes is one F pax who only drinks champagne (instead of going on to wine with their meal) and you can run out of limited supplies pretty quickly.

QF run out of F champagne because they don't load enough. 7 bottles for 14 pax on 14hr flight is too little.

One of the problems is indeed the J pax greeting accompanied with glass of champagne. To keep everyone happy, either load more bottles or offer J pax glass of F white or red which are less likely to run out.

 

[cove]

Sounds like it pays to get in early on QF long hauls boomy.

 

[Major]

Sounds like it pays to get in early on QF long hauls boomy.

It's why early boarding is essential. One must have had at least 2 glasses before the door is closed

 

[dk4]

Agree with those who think that a welcome from the Flight Manager is useless, unless accompanied with a posh drink from a higher cabin (or a sweet treat if already in the highest cabin). (I generally should have already been verbally welcomed by many, many, other company representatives that day... right from the moment I reached the airport... so adding a non-gift-bearing FM to the list isn't necessary. However, I do think the FA who will be serving in my section should introduce themselves once I sit down, so I know who to look out for when I want something.)

..load more bottles...

:idea: The answer to running out is simple really, isn't it! (Management knows how many special greetings an FM will need to make, so cater accordingly.)

It's why early boarding is essential. One must have had at least 2 glasses before the door is closed

AGREED :shock: 2 GLASSES
Airlines generally tend to serve the nicest stuff on board rather than in the lounge, plus I am sure I read somewhere that it tastes and bubbles better at ground level, than at inflight cabin pressure?


Posh Drink & Sweet Treat (in the white box which is hard to see) -
Show your appreciation for my business by welcoming me on board with a special gift please, not just words!

 

[boomy]

Getting back on topic, what's everyone's opinion about onboard greeting cards?

In my view the generic printed ones (as on EY F) are waste of paper, at some point I didn't bother opening them anymore but the hand written ones are a nice touch and all airlines should do them, at least in F IMO.

 

[Danger]

Under what circumstances do/don't you like onboard greetings by the manager?

Personally speaking, I enjoy a greeting on flights over 2 hours where I'm not traveling in the highest cabin available.

I have the opposite opinion. In premium cabins I look at personal greetings as part of the whole experience and it's also practical since they usually hand out menus, amenity kits, ask for preferred pre-departure drink etc.

Ditto for me. On services over, say, three hours.

 

[defurax]

So I've found in a Oneworld document that the onboard greeting in Y for Emerald members is actually a OW policy...looks like only CX and QF have read the document

Greeting oneworld frequent flyers
The senior flight attendant on board should personally welcome oneworld top tier frequent flyer cardholders in Firstand Business Classes and address them by their names, and acknowledge Emerald cardholders flying in EconomyClass. Cardholders’ details will be printed on the fl ight manifest.

The same document also seems to suggest that BA and AA are not respecting OW policy by inviting First PAX to board before Emerald members are allowed to board

Boarding announcements
Emerald and Sapphire cardholders should be invited to board oneworld flights at the same time as First andBusiness Class passengers.

 

[flyingfan]

Getting back on topic, what's everyone's opinion about onboard greeting cards?

In my view the generic printed ones (as on EY F) are waste of paper, at some point I didn't bother opening them anymore but the hand written ones are a nice touch and all airlines should do them, at least in F IMO.

I've only flown F in QF and EK which don't do greeting cards (in my experience) but I think I'd prefer the personal greeting. You can't ask a card for an amenities kit I think a handwritten card would be nice in some circumstances though, for example if it's your birthday, anniversary or honeymoon (and you've asked the airline ahead of time to surprise your partner).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've only flown F in QF and EK which don't do greeting cards (in my experience) but I think I'd prefer the personal greeting. You can't ask a card for an amenities kit I think a handwritten card would be nice in some circumstances though, for example if it's your birthday, anniversary or honeymoon (and you've asked the airline ahead of time to surprise your partner).

Greeting cards are in addition to the personal greeting. CX delivers them with your meal for example.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The same document also seems to suggest that BA and AA are not respecting OW policy by inviting First PAX to board before Emerald members are allowed to board

I'm not sure it provides any advantage to elites anyway? If they aren't in first class they still get to board ahead of other economy passengers. So they get first crack at the overhead space anyway.

 

[N860CR]

I can't stand it personally.

Had one earlier in the year on a JNB-SYD in J and the CSM literally walked up to me, iPad in hand and said "Hello Mr... ummm ohh ahah umm" (my surname is a pretty basic eastern euro name that occasionally stumps the odd bogan). The whole thing was so impersonal that I didn't even bother engaging and just said "ok thanks" as she handed an express card over. I was, of course, the devil for the remainder of the flight for not engaging with her.

 

[defurax]

I'm not sure it provides any advantage to elites anyway? If they aren't in first class they still get to board ahead of other economy passengers. So they get first crack at the overhead space anyway.

The problem is consistency. It's not all OWE that travel on every OW carrier multiple time each year to learn if there are any discrepancies in procedure. OW policy states that Emerald can board with First Class and that's how it should be done.

It can also create a mess at the gate if Emerald PAX are already queuing in the priority lane when suddenly only First PAX are invited to board. As I said consistency between carrier should be expected.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The problem is consistency. Not all OWE travel on every OW carrier multiple time each year to learn if there are any discrepancies in procedure. OW policy states that Emerald can board with First Class and that's how it should be done.

It's pretty clear at the gate who is asked to come forward and board, so for me it's not a case of having to learn which airline does what. The exception might be for a passenger with a disability, for example hearing impaired, who might miss the call. But I doubt they'd be turned away.

I can't see any advantage to OWE and OWS being asked to board ahead of first and business class. Boarding before the main cabin is important, and airlines such as CX and BA who give priority to OWR as well have a big advantage.

 

[defurax]

It's pretty clear at the gate who is asked to come forward and board, unless the passenger has a disability (hearing impaired). There is no advantage to OWE and OWS being asked to board ahead of first and business class. Boarding before the main cabin is important, and airlines such as CX and BA who give priority to OWR as well have a big advantage.

But CX board OWE at the same time as First. For all I know only BA and AA do not respect that.

UL board J last in CMB, but nothing stops J or elite PAX to board at their convenience.

 

[JohnK]

I like the greetings on international flights when flying economy. It feels like the airline cares for my loyalty. Flying Qantas I get the greetings quite regularly. If they forget to do them I know they are busy.

 

[Danger]

So I've found in a Oneworld document that the onboard greeting in Y for Emerald members is actually a OW policy...looks like only CX and QF have read the document

The same document also seems to suggest that BA and AA are not respecting OW policy by inviting First PAX to board before Emerald members are allowed to board

How old is the document? Can you find a current version online?

 

[defurax]

How old is the document? Can you find a current version online?

The documents are from 2016 and were updated after the change in baggage interline on separate tickets. I'll send you a PM with the links.

 

[JMEL]

I flew SQ Y recently and the crew greeted me (*G with a partner airline) personally from start to finish: upon boarding, when serving each of my meals, and when I pressed the crew call button to request something. It was a very full, busy flight, so I was especially impressed that they made that effort. I don't get annoyed at all if I don't get that sort of personal attention, but I agree with JohnK - especially when flying in Y, this gives the impression that the airline values my loyalty.

 

[dxwell]

My wife and I are both VA WP, I can't recall a greeting or any special treatment in any of our recent flights both domestic and international.
Could be me though...

 

[rmwk]

I do enjoy being greeted on board . The chat can be a highlight however not if the welcome is disingenuous which is always the case on Cathay Pacific ,they usually read my name wrong from the print off held in their hand!!They regurgitate the same welcome every time ,that is when they actually do remember to undertake the welcome procedure . They usually ask if there is anything I require and when I respond, i.e.a blanket, the request is treated with disdain ! So disingenuous no point doing the welcome .