Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2023

Inflight Service Committee

• Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on Wednesday, February 22 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, February 22, 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), Kelly Kochanek (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). Also present was MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett. The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Inflight Product and Experience Director David Scotland, Senior Catering Operations Specialist Raena Alonzo, Principal ITS Apps Product Manager Ranjita Prasad, Senior Food & Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, 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 consistent FC Beverage service recommendations, Food and Beverage Changes, and updates on ice for 2023.

Food and Beverage Discussions

In response to both passenger and crew feedback, more variety and choices will be introduced into the food and beverage beginning mid-May.  In First Class, a vegan option will always be available for pre-order only.  On medium haul, long haul, and premium long haul, the Fruit & Cheese Plate will no longer be a standard boarded entrée choice but will continue to be available for pre-order.  For premium long haul and Hawaii routes, printed menus are returning. Changes to the First Class service on premium long haul (Hawaii & transcon) morning flights will include addition of mixed nuts (with the first beverage service) and a heated dessert (to be served after the main meal service).  In Main Cabin, meals will be different eastbound vs westbound and will remain available via pre-order only, up to 20-hours prior to a flight’s departure. 

Hawaii specific changes include the discontinuation of the First Class mid-flight snack test out of Seattle on AM departures.  Testing is underway to resume heated pre-reserved retail meals (one option) on flights to/from Hawaii in Main Cabin.

Early April catering and product changes include the re-introduction of apple juice, a swap out of the current Pilsner, and new First Class wine selections.  On all Boeing premium long haul routes, the First Class empty cart will be moving to the aft galley and the supply cart will move to the forward galley.  This will help ensure that there are extra supplies for First Class.  All empty carts for trash will be in located in the aft galley on the Boeing fleet.  The Airbus 321 currently has trash carts in the forward and aft galleys.  

Catering Operations Discussions

Our Inflight Service Committee is very pleased with the ice solutions provided by the Catering Operations team for 2023 ice support for our flights.   Beginning in March 2023, catering is working with Fleet Service to increase uplift of ice at 10 of our stations and they will be provisioning ice on additional flights, with a focus on medium haul and long haul turns.  As discussions with vendors continue, more contracts will be finalized and additional ice supply locations will be added to the list. The Catering Operations team is also working to find solutions for issues the Committee brought to their attention at our last meeting.  Several ideas were presented and discussed for safe catering of blue service trays and provisioning of trash bags.

Inflight Mobile Device (IMD) News

The IT products team is currently working on improvements to our IMD user interface to make payments easier to process.  The IT team is also working on an inflight mobile refresh program and an update for Block2Block (B2B).  The Committee brought forward comments from Flight Attendants that the types of service designated for each flight (such as premium long haul, short haul, etc.) be included on B2B.  This information would be very helpful in offering the correct service.  

Boeing Updates

The Boeing 737-800 refresh with the removal of the third aft lavatory is on hold.  The installation of 2KU for the 737-800 aircraft type is in progress and about 90% complete; fleetwide it is 97% complete.  The new delivery Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft will be 2KU equipped going forward.  

Service

The participation by Flight Attendants in the survey included in the recent Inflight News newsletter was excellent and very much appreciated.  The Premium Class Tray Service early results show improved scores given by Premium Class passengers.  The Flight Attendant feedback received will be useful in addressing key areas.  Other discussion topics between the Committee and management included possible service flow and service responsibilities testing.   

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.