Budget Airlines Are Asking for Tips Now?
Jennifer Billock January 07, 2019
With the new year comes a new perk for Frontier Airlines employees: cabin crew will now be earning tips for the work they do throughout the aircraft, particularly after serving drinks; the ultra-budget airline says the new in-flight tip program is meant to help flight attendants supplement their income.
Frontier Airlines passengers are experiencing something completely new in the air travel world as of January 1—now, passengers are being asked to tip the cabin crew after they take drink orders. When customers pay, they’re given a tablet that encourages tipping and has easy touchscreen options for 15 percent, 20 percent, or 25 percent tips. There’s also an option to leave no tip.
“I’ve flown more than 350 flights on 51 different airlines in the past three years, but I’d never experienced an airline ask for a tip,” wrote JT Genter, who discovered the tipping scheme, reported by AOL News.
A Frontier Airlines spokesperson confirmed that flight attendants are now earning tips, AOL News says: “Currently tips are shared amongst all members of the flight attendant crew on a given flight. Effective January 1, 2019, flight attendants will earn tips on their individual sales. … Many flight attendants see the in-flight tip program as a way to supplement their income.”
The airline said the tips are meant to be both extra earnings and part of what the flight attendants should realistically be making, and has confirmed that the airline itself will not be making any money off the tips earned by the crew throughout the cabin.
This is an offshoot of the mindless tipping culture in the USA.?? Service sucks here, but in Europe it's worse.
Incredible. This could only happen in tip-for-absolutely-everything USA.
Here's a TIP for you Frontier. I don't fly your airline and I don't intend to fly your airline. If you aren't going to pay your FA's a decent wage, then I would be concerned about my safety on your airline.
Disgusting that the airline should encourage this procedure as part of the making up their salary to "realistic expectations" as a European living in asia the whole tip culture is anathema to me and I just wish the Americans would keep it to themselves and not export it. A person in asia is often offended by the mere suggestion of a tip, "I'm just doing my job" is the usual response that accompanies the refusal of a tip. I strongly believe tipping demeans both the tipper and tippee, pay people a proper wage and get rid of tipping altogether just the thought of it can ruin a night out at a restaurant with the "hot much should I tip" the answer for me is simple I just pay what's on the bill and not a penny more as most establishments have already added a "service charge" whatever that is.
How about a lap dance, Grandma? Next time a stewardess asks me if I would like some warm nuts, she'll leave wondering what the mischievous grin on my face was all about. LOL.