American Airlines is struggling to provide premium service at the moment, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The five star essentials american airlines is a service that American Airlines offers to their customers. This service includes food, drinks, and more.
There isn’t enough crew on American Airlines to provide premium service.
on October 15, 2021 by Gary Leff
For safety reasons, the US federal government mandates a minimum number of flight attendants on a plane (generally, one per 50 passengers). However, many flight attendants state that they are there “mainly for your safety” (don’t expect anything more!). They’re also the ones that have the most direct contact with consumers when it comes to providing an airline’s service.
Historically, so-called “full service” airlines have staffed flights with more people than the legal minimum. That began to shift even before the epidemic, but it picked up speed when they couldn’t provide any service at all.
American Airlines cut the number of flight attendants on several widebody planes three years ago. They calculated their staffing requirements for premium economy as if it were coach, and decided that the same flight attendants should be spread out to handle everything – despite the premium economy cabin’s claimed better standards. United Airlines also decreased flight attendant personnel in business class at the same period.
Then, in the autumn of last year, American Airlines cut even more flight attendants.
- On international widebody and transcon flights, to one over FAA required minimums
- On Boeing 787-8 aircraft, to the required minimum
The current personnel levels are as follows:
That may have made sense during the pandemic’s early stages, when
- There were just a few people on board.
- And there isn’t much in the way of service.
- In addition, there is almost little premium demand among business travelers.
However, service features are making a comeback in American Airlines’ premium seats.
Table sets are also available on the 77W and A321T First Class flights.
October 8, 2021 — Jamie Larounis (@TheForwardCabin)
The American Airlines flight attendants’ union informed them on Monday that this is now an issue. How are they expected to provide service with personnel numbers that are intended to satisfy legal minimum safety requirements rather than provide service?
The Purser now leaves First Class passengers to work in a separate cabin on the 777-300 aircraft. First class guests on the premium A321T intercontinental aircraft are served by the galley Flight Attendant, which degrades the service our First Class clients have come to expect. Our premium clients are entitled to more.
To be sure, the union wants greater employment for its members, which will lead to an increase in membership. However, they are correct in stating that flight attendants are required to provide service. (This is a problem, by the way, even on a redesigned Airbus A311 with 20 first-class seats instead of 16.)
American Airlines should strike a contract that includes additional flight attendants in premium seats, as well as real responsibility for cabin staff to provide the necessary service standards. That is unlikely to be accepted by the union.