Long haul - disinterested crew and lack of service
Jun 28, 2016, 8:07 am
#1
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Long haul - disinterested crew and lack of service
Hi guys, first post in this forum, recent life miles member having moved to Colombia this year.
I just wanted to report my experience on a flight BOG -LHR earlier this month. I was in economy so don't expect a great deal, but this may have been the absolute minimum service standard I've recieved on any long haul carrier, and I wondered if it's normal?
Essentially after take off we were served dinner - as a side note I can't believe they use those polystyrene containers even on the transatlantics, the food was pretty dire even for Y. There was no pre dinner drink service as other carriers usually offer, and the wine glass with dinner is basically a thimble. I usually enjoy a couple of drinks as a nervous flyer and to help me sleep.
And then...that was it. No other drinks service, no offering of water, nada until breakfast was served much later. (I couldn;t actually sleep so I know no-one ever came down the aisle). The crew retreated to the back, sat down, and chatted/read their books for the whole flight. I went to the back to ask for a beer once dinner was cleared away and was refused and told all that could be offered was the soft drinks in the tray (and they were very clear you were getting this yourself too). This is unlike any other airline I've flown on. Just to note, I hadn't been drinking before getting on board and I heard others refused, so it wasn't a case of them thinking I had had enough
Anyway, I just wondered if this is normal? It seems a shame, given Colombia has the most wonderful friendly people I've met in the world, in general on their flights I have found their crew rather aloof, getting minimum service over asap and then disappearing. Functional is the word I guess. I would have thought Avianca could market their unique Colombia friendliness as a selling point, but it doesn't seem there's much desire to do that.
interested in your thoughts
I just wanted to report my experience on a flight BOG -LHR earlier this month. I was in economy so don't expect a great deal, but this may have been the absolute minimum service standard I've recieved on any long haul carrier, and I wondered if it's normal?
Essentially after take off we were served dinner - as a side note I can't believe they use those polystyrene containers even on the transatlantics, the food was pretty dire even for Y. There was no pre dinner drink service as other carriers usually offer, and the wine glass with dinner is basically a thimble. I usually enjoy a couple of drinks as a nervous flyer and to help me sleep.
And then...that was it. No other drinks service, no offering of water, nada until breakfast was served much later. (I couldn;t actually sleep so I know no-one ever came down the aisle). The crew retreated to the back, sat down, and chatted/read their books for the whole flight. I went to the back to ask for a beer once dinner was cleared away and was refused and told all that could be offered was the soft drinks in the tray (and they were very clear you were getting this yourself too). This is unlike any other airline I've flown on. Just to note, I hadn't been drinking before getting on board and I heard others refused, so it wasn't a case of them thinking I had had enough
Anyway, I just wondered if this is normal? It seems a shame, given Colombia has the most wonderful friendly people I've met in the world, in general on their flights I have found their crew rather aloof, getting minimum service over asap and then disappearing. Functional is the word I guess. I would have thought Avianca could market their unique Colombia friendliness as a selling point, but it doesn't seem there's much desire to do that.
interested in your thoughts
Jun 28, 2016, 8:35 am
#2
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Hi guys, first post in this forum, recent life miles member having moved to Colombia this year.
I just wanted to report my experience on a flight BOG -LHR earlier this month. I was in economy so don't expect a great deal, but this may have been the absolute minimum service standard I've recieved on any long haul carrier, and I wondered if it's normal?
Essentially after take off we were served dinner - as a side note I can't believe they use those polystyrene containers even on the transatlantics, the food was pretty dire even for Y. There was no pre dinner drink service as other carriers usually offer, and the wine glass with dinner is basically a thimble. I usually enjoy a couple of drinks as a nervous flyer and to help me sleep.
And then...that was it. No other drinks service, no offering of water, nada until breakfast was served much later. (I couldn;t actually sleep so I know no-one ever came down the aisle). The crew retreated to the back, sat down, and chatted/read their books for the whole flight. I went to the back to ask for a beer once dinner was cleared away and was refused and told all that could be offered was the soft drinks in the tray (and they were very clear you were getting this yourself too). This is unlike any other airline I've flown on. Just to note, I hadn't been drinking before getting on board and I heard others refused, so it wasn't a case of them thinking I had had enough
Anyway, I just wondered if this is normal? It seems a shame, given Colombia has the most wonderful friendly people I've met in the world, in general on their flights I have found their crew rather aloof, getting minimum service over asap and then disappearing. Functional is the word I guess. I would have thought Avianca could market their unique Colombia friendliness as a selling point, but it doesn't seem there's much desire to do that.
interested in your thoughts
I just wanted to report my experience on a flight BOG -LHR earlier this month. I was in economy so don't expect a great deal, but this may have been the absolute minimum service standard I've recieved on any long haul carrier, and I wondered if it's normal?
Essentially after take off we were served dinner - as a side note I can't believe they use those polystyrene containers even on the transatlantics, the food was pretty dire even for Y. There was no pre dinner drink service as other carriers usually offer, and the wine glass with dinner is basically a thimble. I usually enjoy a couple of drinks as a nervous flyer and to help me sleep.
And then...that was it. No other drinks service, no offering of water, nada until breakfast was served much later. (I couldn;t actually sleep so I know no-one ever came down the aisle). The crew retreated to the back, sat down, and chatted/read their books for the whole flight. I went to the back to ask for a beer once dinner was cleared away and was refused and told all that could be offered was the soft drinks in the tray (and they were very clear you were getting this yourself too). This is unlike any other airline I've flown on. Just to note, I hadn't been drinking before getting on board and I heard others refused, so it wasn't a case of them thinking I had had enough
Anyway, I just wondered if this is normal? It seems a shame, given Colombia has the most wonderful friendly people I've met in the world, in general on their flights I have found their crew rather aloof, getting minimum service over asap and then disappearing. Functional is the word I guess. I would have thought Avianca could market their unique Colombia friendliness as a selling point, but it doesn't seem there's much desire to do that.
interested in your thoughts
Jul 6, 2016, 8:27 am
#3
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It's weird, because Colombian service in other areas, such as hotels, is fantastic.
Jul 9, 2016, 7:03 pm
#4
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If you want to see Latin American government-run hospitality in action, I suggest checking out Cuba.
Jul 9, 2016, 8:36 pm
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Jul 9, 2016, 9:19 pm
#6
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Keitherson, have you travelled on an American airline recently? Those bastions of free market capitalism. At least I can get a smile out of Avianca crew. Avianca's planes are also vastly more comfortable than the European legacies (in economy at least).
Jul 13, 2016, 1:55 pm
#7
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Comparing Latin American governments to the Singaporean government is apples to oranges.
If you deal with government services and bureaucracy in these countries, you know what I mean. Generally speaking, state-owned airlines can give good insight of their owners. You won't see mismanagement and neglect in Singapore Airlines. But have you seen Alitalia?
Jul 15, 2016, 10:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
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Sorry, let me clarify: state-owned Latin American carrier.
Comparing Latin American governments to the Singaporean government is apples to oranges.
If you deal with government services and bureaucracy in these countries, you know what I mean. Generally speaking, state-owned airlines can give good insight of their owners. You won't see mismanagement and neglect in Singapore Airlines. But have you seen Alitalia?
Comparing Latin American governments to the Singaporean government is apples to oranges.
If you deal with government services and bureaucracy in these countries, you know what I mean. Generally speaking, state-owned airlines can give good insight of their owners. You won't see mismanagement and neglect in Singapore Airlines. But have you seen Alitalia?
Jul 17, 2016, 1:42 pm
#9
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Out of interest, who are the private carriers that you believe are setting the standard for airline service around the world?
Jul 18, 2016, 8:12 am
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Jul 18, 2016, 8:20 am
#11
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Jul 27, 2016, 12:15 am
#12
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You mean incompetent management stacked by the government?
Aug 2, 2016, 3:11 pm
#13
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Standard service, but I'm pretty sure it still better than Iberia.
On long haul flights from Latin America to Europe, I keep Air France in the top spot in economy class. Can't comment on superior classes.
On long haul flights from Latin America to Europe, I keep Air France in the top spot in economy class. Can't comment on superior classes.