In a nutshell, it's because the crews operating International Routes are the ones who have the most length of service (ie most senior). With length of service in many jobs, unfortunately, comes a loss of the vigour and enthusiasm one had in the early days!!! In addition, the "security" issues after 09/11 have given crews the power to give abysmal service, and be positively rude on occasions, with the customer powerless to make any sort of challenge. (Just try it on any US carrier, and you'll be threatened with "restraint!!")

On LGW-IAH and LGW-EWR routes, we have experienced both the very best service on CO aluminium and the very worst - unfortunately, the bad service (and bloody awful food) is always in coach!!!