In the past couple years I've had the chance to do some longhaul flying in QF and AA Y and J on various QF 747s and AA 777s.

It strikes me that AA gives its FAs and pax a harder time by giving minimal tools to reduce cabin light and noise on its 777s (and, for that matter, 763s and 762s), in comparison to QF, which does a much better job of creating dark cabins and opportunities for FAs to get their work done separate from the pax.

As an example, in J on AA's 777s, the FA jumpseat space in the forward J cabin is separated from the pax by...nothing. The FAs could stand in the galley, where there *is* a curtain, but for hours on end? So instead the cabin is lit by the jumpseat area, and should the FAs want to chat or do cart prep before a service, that becomes part of the cabin noise.

In comparison, QF has a series of two or three light-blocking curtains hiding areas that function as FA workspace and parts of the aisles from the rest of the J cabin. Carts can be prepared out of sight. This results in a quieter cabin with fewer disturbances.

Of course, there are measures individual pax can take to ameliorate these conditions. My point is only that AA might have a more competitive J (and Y) product if it gave FAs better tools to create a more comfortable cabin.

...and I was wondering if there is a different philosophy...perhaps AA thinks cabin safety might be endangered if there were more curtains?