Any time is appropriate. Unless you happen to sit at a seat where can see the pillows and monitor the inventory, I'd ask as early as possible, if you actually want to receive the pillow. PDB or Putting in your meal order. If you ask during the meal, it can be a little hectic (but I suppose the same could be said about during boarding). The earliest "quiet time" for the FA is after the meal, but by then you risk all the pillows being given out. As for the PJs and mattress pad, I don't think there is any urgency though I just ask for everything at once generally.
Originally Posted by
schley
I always call ahead and have them put a note in my PNR to lay them on my seat. That way they will never run out before I ask and if I decide I don’t want them, I can always give them back.
I never thought of that. Wouldnt the GA have to actually have some reason to open up your PNR to even notice the note?