Inflight Service Committee

• Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, November 30 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
• The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are facing onboard the aircraft.
• The Inflight Service Committee continues to work with management to continuously improve onboard catering and engage in discussions leading to future improved processes. Please continue to report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Wednesday, November 30, our AFA Local Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). Also present was MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett. The committee met with Senior Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience Sangita Woerner, Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Managing Director of Guest Products Todd Traynor-Corey, Inflight Product and Experience Director David Scotland, and other management representatives from the food & beverage and catering operations. 

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed a number of items both during internal AFA-only conversation and when meeting with management.  Some items discussed include:

• Elite comping program changes.  Flight attendants have asked for a change to the Elite Comping Program and a small modification is coming soon.
• Marketing focus on California.  Marketing has shared a renewed focus on California.  Efforts will target the Bay Area first and will then shift to Southern California.  Marketing is building brand awareness with new initiatives. 
• Onboard entertainment. The new holiday music is being loaded in the next few days.  Streaming entertainment will have movies from Paramount and Universal and the movies will be available a little bit longer on our flights.  There will be increased entertainment from HBO and other TV shows.  Many improvements to the fleet Wi-Fi are taking place which will lead to better performance of our systems.  The IT team is attempt to be more proactive at notifying passengers when there may be a possible interruption in the Wi-Fi service.  Flight Attendants are also being notified in advance of issues with the system.  The Committee is appreciative that we are all receiving advanced notice as to further be able to assist passengers.
• Coffee. The Committee is hopeful that aft galley coffee showers will be a thing of the past.  A new brew basket has been designed and the first aircraft install is early this week.  New coffee carafes that will keep coffee at the correct serving temperature are also being reviewed.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Addressing ice issues.  The Committee has been invited by management to participate in a workshop to explore solutions for ice issues.  All opportunities for improvement will be examined.  Flight Attendant reporting has been instrumental in pinpointing the issues with both dry ice and wet ice .  The Committee is pleased that work is starting on this project early in 2023.  The goal is that ice problems be resolved prior to summer. 
2. Providing input on tools. The Committee is working with management to review new tools and equipment.  The new slotted trays for the Premium Class and water service should be available soon on aircraft serving premium long haul routes. We will continue to advocate for tools that allow us to provide excellent service in a safe manner.
3. Advocating for realistic service levels.  The Committee continues to advocate for testing proposed service level changes prior to their inception to ensure the changes meet passenger needs and safe service standards.  Committee Members will be testing the tray/water service with the new slotted trays as soon as practical.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block.  If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt!  Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items that you’d like brought up with management?  Please let us know!  Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management.  You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.