Latest news with #flightAttendants
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Air Canada service to resume Sunday following labour board ruling
Air Canada said it will resume flights on Sunday after the airline and striking Air Canada flight attendants were told to return to their jobs by the federal government, which ordered the company and its workers into binding arbitrations. The Canada Industrial Relations Board directed the company and the workers to resume airline service operations for all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights at 2 p.m. ET Sunday after a hearing that ran late into the night Saturday. However, the Montreal-based airline said due to the complete shutdown of service early Saturday, which left crew out of position, its first flights won't take to the skies until Sunday evening, according to a statement from the company. Air Canada warned further flight cancellations will occur over the next week as it resumes normal operations. 'Air Canada expects it will take several days before its operations return to normal. During this process, some flights will be canceled over the next seven to ten days until the schedule is stabilized,' the statement said. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu had ordered the parties to resume work and extend the terms of the existing collective agreement until a new one could be determined by an arbitrator. Air Canada, union await decision from federal labour board on flight attendants' return to work A lawyer for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents flight attendants, had asked the board to delay implementing the minister's order to give it time to seek an injunction from the federal court. The board concluded it did not have authority to review or block the government's decision. As of Saturday evening Air Canada had cancelled 623 flights, impacting more than 100,000 travellers. The company said customers whose flights were cancelled, and who did not travel or accept a refund or credit, will be contacted with new itineraries.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Disruptive Ryanair passengers removed after onboard conflict
Two passengers were removed from a Ryanair flight after an apparent brawl was sparked by a child crying on board. Ryanair flight FR1882 took off from London Stansted for a two-and-a-half-hour flight to Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday, 12 August, when the conflict between two passengers reportedly erupted. According to Portuguese publication SIC, the incident started when a child began crying during the flight. Tensions rose after the plane landed in Lisbon and was heading towards the apron. Footage obtained by the outlet shows passengers standing up inside the Ryanair cabin, amid shouting and raised voices. One mother can be heard comforting her crying child, saying, 'It's okay, we are going now.' Ryanair flight attendants can be seen standing in the aisle talking to the passengers. The publication said that because of the 'altercation', passengers had to wait inside the plane for about an hour. Meanwhile, police officers were called to respond to the incident. Ryanair confirmed the incident to The Independent, stating: 'The crew of this flight from London Stansted to Lisbon (12 Aug) called for police assistance after two passengers became disruptive onboard. 'The aircraft was met by local police and these passengers were removed. 'Ryanair has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take action to combat unruly passenger behaviour on aircraft for the benefit of the vast majority of passengers who do not disrupt flights. 'This is a matter for local police.' The low-cost airline is known to have a strict policy towards unruly passengers, having fined and banned those have disrupted journeys. In legal proceedings filed earlier this year in the Polish courts, Ryanair sought over €3,000 (£2,500) in damages against a passenger who disrupted a flight from Berlin to Marrakesh that was forced to divert to Seville. In addition, Ryanair handed the passenger a five-year ban from travelling with the airline. Ryanair has also recently introduced a penalty for passengers who are offloaded due to their behaviour. A Ryanair spokesperson said back in June: 'It is unacceptable that passengers are made suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger's behaviour. 'To help ensure that our passengers and crew travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers, we have introduced a £500 fine, which will be issued to any passengers offloaded from aircraft as a result of their misconduct.' The airline said the penalty will be taken directly from the card used to make the booking or deducted from any Ryanair vouchers the passenger may have.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Disruptive Ryanair passengers removed after onboard conflict
Two passengers were removed from a Ryanair flight after an apparent brawl was sparked by a child crying on board. Ryanair flight FR1882 took off from London Stansted for a two-and-a-half-hour flight to Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday, 12 August, when the conflict between two passengers reportedly erupted. According to Portuguese publication SIC, the incident started when a child began crying during the flight. Tensions rose after the plane landed in Lisbon and was heading towards the apron. Footage obtained by the outlet shows passengers standing up inside the Ryanair cabin, amid shouting and raised voices. One mother can be heard comforting her crying child, saying, 'It's okay, we are going now.' Ryanair flight attendants can be seen standing in the aisle talking to the passengers. The publication said that because of the 'altercation', passengers had to wait inside the plane for about an hour. Meanwhile, police officers were called to respond to the incident. Ryanair confirmed the incident to The Independent, stating: 'The crew of this flight from London Stansted to Lisbon (12 Aug) called for police assistance after two passengers became disruptive onboard. 'The aircraft was met by local police and these passengers were removed. 'Ryanair has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take action to combat unruly passenger behaviour on aircraft for the benefit of the vast majority of passengers who do not disrupt flights. 'This is a matter for local police.' The low-cost airline is known to have a strict policy towards unruly passengers, having fined and banned those have disrupted journeys. In legal proceedings filed earlier this year in the Polish courts, Ryanair sought over €3,000 (£2,500) in damages against a passenger who disrupted a flight from Berlin to Marrakesh that was forced to divert to Seville. In addition, Ryanair handed the passenger a five-year ban from travelling with the airline. Ryanair has also recently introduced a penalty for passengers who are offloaded due to their behaviour. A Ryanair spokesperson said back in June: 'It is unacceptable that passengers are made suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger's behaviour. 'To help ensure that our passengers and crew travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers, we have introduced a £500 fine, which will be issued to any passengers offloaded from aircraft as a result of their misconduct.' The airline said the penalty will be taken directly from the card used to make the booking or deducted from any Ryanair vouchers the passenger may have.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Here's What It's Like to Be a Flight Attendant on the Longest Flight in the World
The longest flight in the world is 18 hours and 45 minutes long and connects New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN). For the flight attendants who work this ultra-long-haul route, the work presents unique challenges—as well as unique ways to connect with passengers. To thrive during the extended time in the air, flight attendants have come up with interesting ways to make their work more are long-haul flights, and then there are ultra-long-haul flights, a completely different beast altogether. Currently, the longest nonstop flight in the world clocks in at 18 hours and 45 minutes, connecting New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN). For most passengers, that's a test of endurance. For flight attendants, it's just another day at the office—albeit one that happens to be 38,000 feet in the air. We spoke with Madeline Khaw, a leading flight attendant at Singapore Airlines who regularly flies this marathon route, to get her perspective on what it's like to work the world's longest flight and her tips for making ultra-long-haul flights more comfortable. For most people, the idea of being a flight attendant might bring to mind images of glamorous travel to far-off destinations—but Khaw says that there's much more to being a flight attendant. For example, the logistics alone on this route are staggering. Since the flight is 18 hours long, the crew operates in carefully planned shifts. "The crew is divided into designated rest periods in the crew bunks," Khaw says. "It's critical to ensure that all crew members get adequate rest, so they're alert and able to provide consistent service and deliver the required safety standards throughout the journey." Plus, sleeping at 38,000 feet presents its own challenges. Khaw says that designated rest areas are available to help the crew recharge, but sometimes it can be tricky to sleep on board because of turbulence or cabin noise. The toll on crew members goes far beyond simply being tired. Readjusting to time zones that are 12 to 15 hours apart wreaks havoc on sleep patterns and overall well-being. "Operating long-haul flights does come with its own set of challenges, with fatigue being one of the most noticeable long-term effects," Khaw says. "Over time, it may contribute to things like persistent tiredness and occasional breakouts." This reality has forced Khaw to become proactive about self-care. "Facial masks have become a must in my skincare routine, especially hydrating ones, to combat the effects of drier cabin air and jet lag," she says. The long flight time also creates unique team dynamics. The crew's preparation begins long before takeoff, with rosters specifically arranged to help them prepare for and recover from these demanding flights. "From the moment we begin our duties, there's an unspoken understanding that we'll need to rely on each other throughout the 18 hours—not just for service efficiency, but also to maintain morale and energy," Khaw explains. Even small moments matter during such a long journey. "Sharing a laugh or moment with the crew during a lull period is a real energy booster," she says. What makes this route particularly unique is how passenger interactions evolve over such a prolonged period. Unlike shorter flights where passengers maintain relatively consistent moods, the 18-hour journey reveals what Khaw describes as "a fuller spectrum of human behavior." "We tend to see people go from being fresh and excited to tired and sometimes emotional, before reverting to a more cheerful demeanor closer to landing," she says. However, the length of this particular route has led to some of Khaw's most memorable moments in her career. On one flight, she remembers a passenger struggling to connect to the onboard Wi-Fi while trying to send an important email. "I made the unconventional decision to offer him my personal device, understanding that I would want someone to extend the same offer to me if I were in his situation," Khaw says. "This allowed him to finish sending the email promptly and return to enjoying his flight." The story doesn't end there, though. "What made the incident really touching was what happened after,' Khaw says. 'Having remembered my birthday from our brief conversation, he would send a simple birthday greeting to me every year—a small but meaningful reminder of how a small act of empathy can form a lasting human connection, even at 38,000 feet in the air." Before each 18-hour journey, Khaw has developed specific rituals to prepare for the demands ahead. "An important activity to keep me grounded is to spend quality time with my loved ones at home," she says. "Sharing a simple, home-cooked meal with my family can help me reset emotionally before being away for several days." Practical preparation is equally crucial. "Making sure I am fully prepared gives me peace of mind, so I have a ritual of double-checking everything I've packed for the longer layover, such as extra sets of uniforms, skincare, and vitamins." Khaw's approach aligns with other experienced crew members on the route. Lead flight attendant Ashley Tan, who has been part of this marathon journey since its early days, emphasizes the importance of getting adequate rest the night before, ideally around seven to eight hours of sleep. During long breaks mid-flight, Tan changes into comfortable clothes for more relaxing rest periods and strategically avoids caffeine, which can have heightened effects at altitude, including jitteriness and potential nausea. "I still remember that flight. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep before the flight," Tan says of her early experiences on the route in a Straits Times video. But perhaps most importantly, Khaw maintains perspective about her unique role. "Mentally, I try to stay grounded by reminding myself of the bigger picture—that this is a privileged role and not everyone gets to do this," she says. "I'm flying to New York, one of the most exciting cities in the world, and I've trained hard to be here. That sense of pride keeps me centered." Despite the challenges, Khaw says that the job has given her unique growth opportunities both professionally and as a person. "Getting to operate ultra-long-haul flights has taken me to places I never imagined visiting," she says. "Beyond just traveling, this role has helped me build resilience, adaptability, and strong time management skills from working in constantly shifting time zones." Based on her experiences and what she's noticed from frequent travelers, Khaw has four tips to make your next ultra-long-haul flight more comfortable: "I've learned that eating too much, too little, or at the wrong times can really throw off my body clock and affect digestion, especially when crossing multiple time zones," Khaw says. "To avoid sluggishness and bloating, I try to stick to light, non-greasy meals before a flight." Experienced passengers understand the importance of proper hydration during extended flights. "Frequent flyers on this route sometimes prefer drinking plenty of water throughout the flight, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate," Khaw says. Seasoned travelers often come prepared for the long journey ahead. "They will often dress comfortably to adapt to the changing cabin temperatures, making sure to bring essential items, such as noise-canceling headphones and a neck pillow, or a good moisturizer," Khaw says. Smart passengers don't wait until landing to start adjusting to their destination's schedule. "Travelers would also make a conscious effort to try and adjust to the time zone of their destinations by either sleeping or staying awake at appropriate times," she says. After countless hours working at 38,000 feet, Khaw has learned that ultra-long-haul flights reveal something fundamental about human nature, both in passengers and crew. Whether it's a frustrated passenger who becomes a lifelong connection or a crew member finding their stride during demanding shifts, these marathon journeys often strip away pretense and show what really helps: good preparation, a bit of empathy, and the small gestures that make long distances more bearable. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
06-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Here's What It's Like to Be a Flight Attendant on the Longest Flight in the World
The longest flight in the world is 18 hours and 45 minutes long and connects New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN). For the flight attendants who work this ultra-long-haul route, the work presents unique challenges—as well as unique ways to connect with passengers. To thrive during the extended time in the air, flight attendants have come up with interesting ways to make their work more enjoyable. There are long-haul flights, and then there are ultra-long-haul flights, a completely different beast altogether. Currently, the longest nonstop flight in the world clocks in at 18 hours and 45 minutes, connecting New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN). For most passengers, that's a test of endurance. For flight attendants, it's just another day at the office—albeit one that happens to be 38,000 feet in the air. We spoke with Madeline Khaw, a leading flight attendant at Singapore Airlines who regularly flies this marathon route, to get her perspective on what it's like to work the world's longest flight and her tips for making ultra-long-haul flights more comfortable. What It's Like to Work the Longest Flight in the World A flight attendant talks to two passengers. Singapore Airlines For most people, the idea of being a flight attendant might bring to mind images of glamorous travel to far-off destinations—but Khaw says that there's much more to being a flight attendant. For example, the logistics alone on this route are staggering. Since the flight is 18 hours long, the crew operates in carefully planned shifts. "The crew is divided into designated rest periods in the crew bunks," Khaw says. "It's critical to ensure that all crew members get adequate rest, so they're alert and able to provide consistent service and deliver the required safety standards throughout the journey." Plus, sleeping at 38,000 feet presents its own challenges. Khaw says that designated rest areas are available to help the crew recharge, but sometimes it can be tricky to sleep on board because of turbulence or cabin noise. The toll on crew members goes far beyond simply being tired. Readjusting to time zones that are 12 to 15 hours apart wreaks havoc on sleep patterns and overall well-being. "Operating long-haul flights does come with its own set of challenges, with fatigue being one of the most noticeable long-term effects," Khaw says. "Over time, it may contribute to things like persistent tiredness and occasional breakouts." This reality has forced Khaw to become proactive about self-care. "Facial masks have become a must in my skincare routine, especially hydrating ones, to combat the effects of drier cabin air and jet lag," she says. The long flight time also creates unique team dynamics. The crew's preparation begins long before takeoff, with rosters specifically arranged to help them prepare for and recover from these demanding flights. "From the moment we begin our duties, there's an unspoken understanding that we'll need to rely on each other throughout the 18 hours—not just for service efficiency, but also to maintain morale and energy," Khaw explains. Even small moments matter during such a long journey. "Sharing a laugh or moment with the crew during a lull period is a real energy booster," she says. What Passengers Are Like at 38,000 Feet for 18 Hours A group of friends celebrate on a flight. Singapore Airlines What makes this route particularly unique is how passenger interactions evolve over such a prolonged period. Unlike shorter flights where passengers maintain relatively consistent moods, the 18-hour journey reveals what Khaw describes as "a fuller spectrum of human behavior." "We tend to see people go from being fresh and excited to tired and sometimes emotional, before reverting to a more cheerful demeanor closer to landing," she says. However, the length of this particular route has led to some of Khaw's most memorable moments in her career. On one flight, she remembers a passenger struggling to connect to the onboard Wi-Fi while trying to send an important email. "I made the unconventional decision to offer him my personal device, understanding that I would want someone to extend the same offer to me if I were in his situation," Khaw says. "This allowed him to finish sending the email promptly and return to enjoying his flight." The story doesn't end there, though. "What made the incident really touching was what happened after,' Khaw says. 'Having remembered my birthday from our brief conversation, he would send a simple birthday greeting to me every year—a small but meaningful reminder of how a small act of empathy can form a lasting human connection, even at 38,000 feet in the air." How Flight Attendants Prepare Before Each Trip A reclined airplane seat in Premium Economy. Singapore Airlines Before each 18-hour journey, Khaw has developed specific rituals to prepare for the demands ahead. "An important activity to keep me grounded is to spend quality time with my loved ones at home," she says. "Sharing a simple, home-cooked meal with my family can help me reset emotionally before being away for several days." Practical preparation is equally crucial. "Making sure I am fully prepared gives me peace of mind, so I have a ritual of double-checking everything I've packed for the longer layover, such as extra sets of uniforms, skincare, and vitamins." Khaw's approach aligns with other experienced crew members on the route. Lead flight attendant Ashley Tan, who has been part of this marathon journey since its early days, emphasizes the importance of getting adequate rest the night before, ideally around seven to eight hours of sleep. During long breaks mid-flight, Tan changes into comfortable clothes for more relaxing rest periods and strategically avoids caffeine, which can have heightened effects at altitude, including jitteriness and potential nausea. "I still remember that flight. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep before the flight," Tan says of her early experiences on the route in a Straits Times video. But perhaps most importantly, Khaw maintains perspective about her unique role. "Mentally, I try to stay grounded by reminding myself of the bigger picture—that this is a privileged role and not everyone gets to do this," she says. "I'm flying to New York, one of the most exciting cities in the world, and I've trained hard to be here. That sense of pride keeps me centered." Despite the challenges, Khaw says that the job has given her unique growth opportunities both professionally and as a person. "Getting to operate ultra-long-haul flights has taken me to places I never imagined visiting," she says. "Beyond just traveling, this role has helped me build resilience, adaptability, and strong time management skills from working in constantly shifting time zones." Expert Tips to Make Your Next Long-haul Flight More Comfortable A passenger relaxes on a flight with headphones. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Based on her experiences and what she's noticed from frequent travelers, Khaw has four tips to make your next ultra-long-haul flight more comfortable: Strategic Meal Timing "I've learned that eating too much, too little, or at the wrong times can really throw off my body clock and affect digestion, especially when crossing multiple time zones," Khaw says. "To avoid sluggishness and bloating, I try to stick to light, non-greasy meals before a flight." Stay Hydrated Experienced passengers understand the importance of proper hydration during extended flights. "Frequent flyers on this route sometimes prefer drinking plenty of water throughout the flight, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate," Khaw says. Comfort and Preparation Seasoned travelers often come prepared for the long journey ahead. "They will often dress comfortably to adapt to the changing cabin temperatures, making sure to bring essential items, such as noise-canceling headphones and a neck pillow, or a good moisturizer," Khaw says. Time Zone Adjustment Smart passengers don't wait until landing to start adjusting to their destination's schedule. "Travelers would also make a conscious effort to try and adjust to the time zone of their destinations by either sleeping or staying awake at appropriate times," she says. After countless hours working at 38,000 feet, Khaw has learned that ultra-long-haul flights reveal something fundamental about human nature, both in passengers and crew. Whether it's a frustrated passenger who becomes a lifelong connection or a crew member finding their stride during demanding shifts, these marathon journeys often strip away pretense and show what really helps: good preparation, a bit of empathy, and the small gestures that make long distances more bearable.
