Originally Posted by
orbitmic
3) I think it's the same with every airline in the world: long haul plane=galley between cabins=staff stand to protect the priority disembarkation of pax in premium cabins. AF does it as well as anyone. Short haul plane=there is really nowhere for crew to stand without disturbing pax disembarkation and they thus don't. Again I can't really think of exceptions except possibly on A321s which have crew sat mid Cain for take off and landing but no such thing on the A320s AF uses on the TLV route. Business is at the front nearest the door so the assumption is they can go out first without needing too much help (ie don't let pushers at the back force their way)
Originally Posted by
irishguy28
3. On most European shorthaul carriers, staff do not intervene to stop the economy class passengers from disembarking before all business class passengers have left. Business class passengers are seated in the first rows - if they wish to make a swift exit, then I suggest you take the initiative upon yourself to step into the aisle without delay.
Actually, Air France is the only airline that I know that ever did this. In the past - I believe until about eight years ago or so - an FA positioned her/himself a the divider curtain and "held back" the Y pax.
Not sure when they stopped that. Today it works like traffic on the Place de l'Etoile: there is a sort of rule (right has priority on the Place de l'Etoile, front row has priority before people coming from the back), which usually works well. Sometimes it gets overwritten by people from the back just dashing forward, or the ones in the front rows using their elbows to defend what they believe is their "rightful" place.