"These Days, Flights Are in Total Chaos"
"Flight Attendants Have Even Served Their Meals to Passengers"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunha] A Korean Air flight attendant’s post criticizing the company with the phrase “Please save what you can save” before submitting a resignation letter has gained widespread sympathy from many consumers and become a hot topic.
On the morning of the 16th, a post titled “A Korean Air flight attendant’s post on the company bulletin board when submitting a resignation letter” was uploaded to the large online community ‘Smart Consumers Lovers’ with 1.07 million members.
The author, identified as A, a Korean Air flight attendant, began the post by saying, “Flights these days are a total mess,” and “As I gradually understand why this situation has come about, I no longer see any reason to stay. I’m posting this before submitting my resignation letter.” A then revealed, “Is it really that hard to give a 330ml bottle of water to economy passengers on medium-haul flights? From before takeoff, we’re busy preparing for takeoff and handing out water because passengers keep asking for it. On long-haul flights, we barely set up one 330ml bottle per passenger, and it’s ridiculous that we can’t provide an extra bottle for each passenger on flights lasting over 10 hours.”
A pointed out, “A foreign passenger came and asked for one more bottle of water, but since we didn’t have any, we offered a cup, which surprised them. Eventually, they asked for water in an empty container, which was embarrassing. Other passengers were given two or three cups of water in paper cups, and that passenger apologized and just asked for a 1.5ℓ bottle of water. But if we give that to one person, everyone else asks for it too, so it’s really absurd that we can’t do that.”
Regarding amenities, A said, “Even if I were a passenger, I wouldn’t want the business class amenities,” and criticized, “Why don’t medium-haul business class passengers get amenities? The ticket prices are higher than foreign airlines, but the quality keeps declining, and I don’t understand why.”
A also criticized the in-flight meals, saying, “It’s already well known that the quantity and taste of in-flight meals have decreased since COVID-19,” and added, “Male passengers say the portions are small and ask for more, but these days, the number of meals loaded matches the number of passengers exactly, so there’s nothing extra to give. Increase the quantity and improve the quality of in-flight meals.”
The working conditions for flight attendants were also poor. “Economy route crews these days only have leftover salad on long-haul flights, so they eat that or bring their own kimbap or substitutes,” A said, appealing, “Isn’t it hard to fly for over 10 hours eating just salad or ramen? Don’t you think about the juniors who carry their own meals?”
A even claimed that when in-flight meals run short, crew meals (meals for flight attendants) are given to passengers. “Crew meals are supposed to be for the crew only and not given to passengers, but the reality here is dismal as even that rule is not followed,” A said. “Other airlines load crew snacks in addition to crew meals, but here, we can’t even properly eat our own meals. Even slaves are fed while working. I see no future here, so I’m leaving. As I leave, I hope the management sees this at least once,” A concluded.
Consumer dissatisfaction is also pouring out over the Korean Air mileage system reform scheduled for April. In addition to having to watch miles expire because there were no seats available to use them, the company announced plans to increase mileage deductions. As consumer complaints surged, both the government and the ruling party have launched fierce attacks on Korean Air’s mileage program reform plan, saying, “If the market does not correct itself autonomously, the government will inevitably have to intervene.”
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