In your experience, which airline has the best flight attendants and which one has the worst?
Have Your Say ( 89 )
JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
Why do some celebrities self-destruct due to substance abuse?
( 14 )
-
What do you think are the main reasons why U.S. car sales are so low in Japan?
( 34 )
-
What can be done to ease escalating tensions between the West and Iran over its nuclear program? And should Japan join sanctions against Iran?
( 14 )
-
What do you think of the revised plan to realign U.S. forces in Japan by sending some Marines to Guam, and rotating others to Australia, the Philippines, Hawaii and possibly Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture?
( 17 )
-
Why are there so many deaths due to snow-related accidents (people falling off rooftops, for example) in Japan this winter?
( 15 )
-
- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
-
- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
-
- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
Order by Time Order by Popularity
89 Comments
Login to comment
0
benhur
first to post!!
first of all.. what do you mean by best???!
i vote MALAYSiAN AiRLiNES as the best
but then again... how can anyone give any comparison without being on EVERY operative airlines...?
0
MeanRingo
My worst experiences have always come at the hands of United, but then I tend to fly them more often. I'm always afraid to ask them for anything. I think North American flight attendants have truly taken the magic out of the job. I used to have the impression that all flight attendants were akin to the ones Sam "Mayday" Malone would date on Cheers. Now they seem more like Carla the bar maid. Asian airlines still seem to value polite service and a youthful glow in their workers. I wonder how long that will last.
0
SimondB
The winner of the worst flight attendants, by a country mile, are American Airlines. They look and act more like prison guards. Aggresive, rude, scowling and ugly. I can honestly say the flight from Narita to New York was the most unpleasant flight experience I have ever had. Coming in second would be Air Italia. 5 hours into a flight to Rome I dared to press my arm rest button to requst a beer only to be told 'no you can't, it's not drinking time yet'.
The best would for me would have to be Singapore Airlines followed closely by JAL. Smiling, pretty andnothing is ever to much.
0
UnagiDon
I second MeanRingo on worst - United flight attendants (domestic and international) have a tendency to act as if they've been spit out of the darkest corner of hell, and just maybe they have.
Best would be Cathay Pacific or JAL, both for service and looks.
0
t_bone
I rate Singapore Airlines the best in my experience, though I have not flown Malaysian.
0
Weasel
You forgot to add 40 kilos to their waistline to make an accurate description. Heaven forbid any poor soul who gets an aisle seat on any American flight...your shoulders will pay the price thanks to the flight attendants.
0
neverknow2
Best Cathay Pacific. No doubt.
Worst: Jetsar. Stay away from Jetstar no matter how cheap it may seem!!
0
bbqtatsujin
I was mocked by a United attendant for actually reading the emergency card from the seat-back. Beyond bad, its just shocking. Nevermind the service is bad, attendants rude/ugly. This guy made fun of me for being safety minded. And why, oh why, do airlines give the Emergency seats to old men that complain of knee trouble (I gotta stretch out...trick knee!)? Or fat old people in general? Why? I`m hitching a ride on a container ship next time. Cheap, tons of booze, karaoke, and when the sh!t hits the fan, the boat goes down slowly. Cheers!
0
JeffLee
U.S. AIRWAYS has the best. The crash of the US air jet in the Hudson River earlier this year and the highly professional and flawless evacuation of all passengers convinced me of that. I'd like to see the high-heeled, sarong-wearing o-jousamas on JAL, Singapore, Thai, and other Asian airlines perform under such conditions.
0
womanforwomen
Jefflee's right. safety is prime concern and i will vow for US airways.All the others from this part of the world, no they do not look very intelligent (sorry) and the smiles are too faked, and those uniforms are useless for anyone. The funniest line I've been on is Aeroflot with its bumpy...bumpy... landings.
0
pawatan
I've had nice experiences with most Asian airlines - especially Malaysian and Thai (they've been very, very helpful to me). Say what you will about Malaysian hiring pretty faces - but they seem very competent to me.
I've had generally good experiences with ANA, too. EVA is nice as well.
All the N American airlines are bad. I rode on a Continental flight once where the attendant spent half the flight hitting on the girl in front of me. I flew on an overnight flight where the stewardesses were having LOUD conversation in the back - way above normal tone of voice, let alone for an overnight flight. I've had bad service uncountably infinite number of times.
0
EUgirl
All the American companies have rude staff. Aeroflot also. Best are the Asian, including JAL and ANA, and some European airlines, like Finnair - they all have at least decent service.
0
pathat
I'm partial to JAL because I had a girlfriend for a couple of years who worked for them.
I've never cared much for the American airlines. There are simply too many lazy, rude flight attendants working for them. You can get lucky and find a diamond in the rough here and there, but, an overall thumbs down.
0
Tetsujin
I'm pretty sure JAL and other asian airline stewardess get the same training that US Airways flight attendants get. Just because they look prettied up doesn't mean they can't perform in-flight emergency tasks. On my last JAL flight, I saw a stewardess yell at a passenger for taking off her seat belt and standing up while the airplane was taxing onto the runway.
0
Kwaabish
Best: SQ, NH, JL Worst: UA, AA, CO
0
NuckinFutz
United gets my award for absolute WORST RUDE BITCHY and USELESS flight attendants! As an American it is embarrassing to admit our airlines SUCK!
0
DXXJP
I rember back in the day when if you saw a beutiful girl she was most likley a stewardess. Now when you see a pro wrestler most likley she a stewardess.
Other than in country flights I wont fly on a US carrier. For most the reasons above, and a few of my own.
My number one is Singapore followed by Korean, Then Malaysian.
0
dammit
I've only ever used Virgin and British Airways. Both airlines have great attendants and they have always been extremely helpful. Never had a bad flight attendant, so that's all I can say really.
0
fatfrenchfool
agreed, malaysian airlines best by far. worst garuda or BA
0
smartacus
Generally, I am very sympathetic to flight attendants, unlike most posters here. My sister is one and she says it can be a grueling job, the worst part of which is the never-ending whining from jerks who sit in the passengers seats, some of whom no doubt are posting on Japan Today. It would be interesting to do a poll of flight attendants, asking them what sort of passenger behavior they find the worst.
0
nadavaloryo
JAL.....they have nice flight attendant....how about PAL???????????
0
fatfrenchfool
they are paid to look after those whining jerks. the whining jerks pay to get looked after. whining flight attendants should try a new career
0
TokyoHustla
JAL would have to be the best. Pretty, friendly, and always ready to give you their phone number in exchange for a dinner!
Well, maybe not you, but me.
0
Betting
I must be one of the few to think JAL amongst the worst. Whenever I've been on a one of their flights there level of service is very low. And I have found QANTAS to be one of the better ones, of course they don't have as strict limits on age as some airlines do leading to some people complaining that QANTAS staff aren't very attractive (as if that has anything to do with quality of service). ANA isn't bad either.
And for the few times I've flown on Vietnamese airlines, I've also enjoyed flying with them too.
0
norinrad21
Singapore Airlines and KLM are top notch
0
pawatan
This. Anybody who works with customers has customers they don't like - but too bad, it's your job, and you gotta put up with it.
0
kumibo
Singapore and Malaysian are tops. QANTAS are pretty good. I'd have to say that all of the American airlines I've flown with have had rude, lazy, and horrible staff.
0
benhur
right on kumibo san...
0
DXXJP
I know this isnt too PC but if their ass is wider than the cart then how do they the get the job. I cant tell you how many times I have been bashed with a cart or my head buried, or knocked by some wide body stewardess, with whiskers usually, and a pissy attitude at high altitude. I think I have pushed the call button maybe 3 times in the last 20 years of flying, so its not that im a bad customer, but since when did the US carriers decide to employ these types.
0
seesaw
Bad service on UA, NW, AA didn't affect me fortunately. I once flew out of SFO with an injured leg, and they took very good care of me. When flying I always use an aisle seat, but so far none of those American flight attendants knocked off my shoulders though.
If I have to choose the worst in my flying experience, it would be Luftansa in the economy class. Not only those German flight attendants were tough, even the Japanese ones were arrogant and snobbish.
The best for me, is of course NH, sincere staff, good food, even quality snacks.
0
jkoffman
SQ - because there is only 1 size uniform, if you can't fit into it, your not hired. They are also required to take birth control pills to, Nice!
0
seesaw
Smartacus, your sister got paid for the job and enjoys the perks that her employer provides. She shoudn't be complaining! She choose the career and she has to live with it.
0
Sarge
This is easy...
In my limited experience, the airline with the best flight attendants is a toss-up between JAL and ANA.
The worst? Northworst, of course! Actual conversation on a Northworst flight:
Me: What's the best thing about your job?
Northworst flight attendant: Days off.
Me ( the glutton for punishment that I am ): What's the worst thing?
Northworst flight attendant: Having to talk to passengers.
DXXJP - I thought you flew only Business Class...
0
Mark_McCracken
Best - Thai, ANA, Korean, Southwest
Worst - United, Northwest
0
seesaw
womanforwomen: You just can't be happy for others, can you?
I've flown on Aeroflot during my student days, never had the bumpy, bumpy landings. Strange that you had had such an experience.
0
hakuman
Air Canada flight attendants used to be really bad, but on my last two flights they have been tolerable, and even pleasant a couple of times.
But dealing with anyone else in the Air Canada organization makes me want to put myself out of my misery. Air Canada as a company sucks.
0
stirfry
best: sing air, thai, cathay, malaysian, ana, aloha air...as for worst, depends what you're looking for: all i need is booze whenever i ask for it, and my flight is fine
0
tempura
ANA and JAL are the best of the best. I've been to so many different airlines: Cathay: 7/10; Korean: 7/10; Eva: 5/10; Air Canada: 5/10; Singapore: 8/10; Vietnam Airlines: 3/10; United Airlines: 4/10; Air France: 7/10; Lufthansa: 8/10; British Airways: 8/10; ANA: 9/10; JAL: 9/10; Thai Airways: 7/10; Also Japan airports are among the best in the world, very few could even matched.
0
spudman
American and European carriers are the worst, Asian service is good but impersonal. Quantas and ANZ best balance of service and warmth.ANZ best food and wine.
0
DXXJP
Sarge
Whats the difference between business and economy on a 727 2 insted of 3 or 4 seats?, the aisle seat still sucks.
I always try to ride upstairs on a 747 in business best place in the plane, but some connecting USA flights leave you in a tuna can with a whale.
0
Wolfpack
In general, Asian airlines are much better than American carriers due to the unions and the unwillingness of American "flight attendents" to be feminine. JAL stewardess' are much younger than those on American Airlines - for example. They seem to enjoy their work and aren't just going though the motions. American Airlines is awful. Let's face it, it is much better to be attended to by a young cheerful lady rather than a old jaded one or some creepy gay dude.
0
DeepAir65
Easy answer for worst - any airline out of the US, though Continental average
Best I've flown with - Virgin or Thai
0
nisegaijin
Best - ANA Worst - Aeroflot
0
GW
those who complain about being hit by stewardesses in ths aisle need to learn to keep yr body parts out of the aisle!
0
Himajin
We flew Aeroflot once many years ago, I still remember how bad the food was, yikes! We reserved bulkhead seats so we could use one of their baby beds, when we boarded we were told we could not have it because two guys from Afghanistan or somewhere had stacked up rolled-up carpets knee-high in front of the bulkhead seats that they'd commandeered when they got on. They were taking the carpets to Russia to sell. They stole our seats and refused to move because they'd have nowhere to put their carpets....the flight attendant couldn't make them move.I spent a 14 hour flight with our son on my chest in a Snugli while I silently hoped for a moth infestation of those guys' carpets! :-D
NW can be hit or miss, I've met some really nice attendants on the (now defunct)Osaka-Detroit route, but some can be real doozies. In my experience though, United takes the prize for rude crew.
We just took Korean Air to the US this past Golden Week, I was astounded at receiving full meal service on the way to Korea! Try to get anything more than peanuts on a US flight, even if it's 4 1/2 hours. The service was excellent.
Here's a site for miserable trip stories--
http://www.flightsfromhell.com/
0
JoeBigs
Continental had the best and Delta had the worst!
0
timorborder
Best - That would be either Singapore Airlines or ANA (Reiko come back, it was only a rash).
Worst - That would be any of the Airforces I have travelled with, having a snotty loadie serve you three-day old coffee from a flask isn't my idea of flying.
0
LoveUSA
Best Aeroflot, worst Aeroflot depending on the day
0
LoveUSA
ps I love Aeroflot because it is the most interesting airline to travel with, I always have interesting stories to tell after that.
0
Tahoochi
Best (excellent, humble yet friendly service): ANA, Thai Airways (JAL Flight attendants used to be very good, but seem very snobby lately... like their the hottest thing since sliced bread, and they don't have to bow to anybody because they're "JAL")
Worst (bad service, real bad attitude): United, Northwest
I hope the posters who are complaining about the looks and size of North American flight attendants don't ever complain about discrimination in Japan. Because it's pretty obvious that's how Japanese airlines maintain slender, young, and good looking flight attendants. North American FA's were young and slender at one time as well, but North American airlines can't fire them or transfer them based on age or weight (unless they can no longer carry out safety procedures). Hey, I'm all for young, slender flight attendants as well, but that's the reality of it.
0
Tahoochi
Jefflee, you have a very good point; safety is a prime concern, but I think that most posters here presume that the ability of Flight Attendants to perform safety procedures would be a given... at least I did. However, the question is open-ended, so I guess that means it can be answered in any way.
0
Mz
Um - people, the question directly refers to "flight attendants" NOT safety...Lots of irrelevant posts here!
Moderator: That is correct, Readers, please comment on flight attendants.
0
Mntlkaze
Macedonian Airways of Greece the best. Stewardess are goddess and food is 1st class for everybody. Seats are leather and leg room great for my 74" legs.
Too bad their maintenance history is the worst in world.
0
SebastianFlyte
Japan = Best Korea/Singapore = 2nd Best UK/EU = Good food, bad movie USA = Old plane, old staff, bad food, latest movie
Moderator: Readers, the topic is flight attendants, mot airlines, so references to food, movies, old planes, etc, are irrelevant. Please stay on topic.
0
ensnaturae
Wolfpack at 06:18 AM JST - 15th June
American Airlines is awful. Let's face it, it is much better to be attended to by a young cheerful lady rather than a old jaded one or some creepy gay dude.
I like the'old'(fit not jaded)& gay(not creepy) dudes on any airline that seem to have got the job because they have some kind of TALENT for making life better for their miserably uncomfortable passengers. I dont care what kind of frocks they wear, and even less, the size of their knockers, or if they smile nicely etc. Air France seems the worst, (overbearing, haughty) - Virgin the best - (old and gay inc).
0
Proffesor
Best flight attendants I have ever come across were on Singapore/ANA and S.African Airways and the worse, Aeroflot and Air India
0
Wakarimasen
Singapore and Thai great, Cathay and ANA good, JAL and BA ok. United and Continental and NWA are diabolical.
0
scotch17
Best -- ANA / JAL / Cathay Pacific. Great crews, great service, great everything. And extra points for serving Consomme.
Worst -- anything out of the US. Like all the service here, it's over-compensated and incredibly rude. God forbid you interrupt their small-talk conversation over the weather because you need help. Weather you want a drink on an airplane or at a restaurant, you'll be greeted with an attitude and pay more for it (whether it's by tip or ridiculous airline fees to staff that don't earn it.) It's no mistake that US airports follow the exact same trend. Security takes forever, and it's still a joke compared to Hong Kong and Japan -- which have far better security and still run smoothly.
0
Richard_III
Best: Virgin, BA, ANA or Air France Good service, generally good films and entertainment, good selection of beers.
Worst: Scandinavian, KML, United Scandinavian and KML have really bad service. Last time I flew KML they only had Heinekan beer, for heaven's sake. Scandinavian are just rude. I couldn't believe it when the hostess on a United flight tried to charge me for a beer.
0
helloklitty
Singapore as the flight attendants have the most erotic physiques.
Northwest has a lot of crabby old bags working as "air waitresses."
0
helloklitty
I do enjoy calling the women working on NW "air waitresses". It is a good way to push their buttons.
0
stirfry
helloklitty: i also find "trolley dolly" and "sandwich mechanic" pretty effective
0
happamki
I travel SFO to Nagoya 4 times a year since 1993. I've flown most of the airlines on that route and have been with JAL since 1997. They tend to the little things that makes the flight comfortable. The worst has been United. Being told to 'sit down!', waiting on a soda for over an hour then having it served with attitude. Their attendants tend to be older, probably more experienced that should know better, but they tend to be tired, unfriendly, and sometimes, just plain rude.
0
Ah_so
Singapore Air and Korean Air get my vote.
0
WMD
Well, the worst just has to be KLM. Overbooked 3 times now and flight attendants from hell. The best is Cathay Pacific because it was on one of their flights that I joined the exclusive(??) 5 mile high club! But their attendants are good too. I always enjoy flying Cathay Pacific on business.
0
umbrella
Worst for me is British Airways. Their attendants make you feel that they are doing you a favor by acknowledging your presence. Best for me is Cathay Pacific. Always a pleasure to fly with them. And by the way WMD the 5 mile high club is not exclusive by any means. Many of us are members I can assure you!
0
jeancolmar
The best: JAL, ANA, Air France.
The Worst. United Airlines, United Airlines and United Airlines.
I have to fly these people unfortunately when I must be in North America. Whether in the air or on the ground UA staff are not only inefficient and rude but go out of their way to be vicious. As a mixed race couple are IT the moment we step up to the counter. UA used to respond to my complaints; they have a policy of non-response both verbally and in written form. I shutter to think how these people would be in an emergency, given their contempt for passengers. The best might be that the big fat fight attendants, who can barely get through the isles, might make good floatation cushions.
0
harmoneeikaiwa
Its sad that so many people harp on about looks concerning the FAs,as if it is a prerequisite for the job. But I believe that if those critics had looks they would be classy enough not to need to disparage the so called uglies. Thats class even first class cant afford. But found wanting with many JT posters.
0
Pukey2
People will next complain that many nurses and waitresses are too ugly to work. I bet those who keep complaining about gay FA and women not looking like supermodels are not exactly god's gift to women themselves (like wolfpack). Sorry, but I don't care about the size of the knockers, or how many wrinkles they have - as long as they can get the job done, provide good service with a smile, then I have little complaints. I personally go on planes to get from A to B, not to attend a beauty contest.
Now, I find service is best on many East Asian carriers. I'd love to try Singaporean but never had the chance. I don't travel with US airlines much but I don't remember having any big problems. I've had more problems with ground staff - Air France staff were lazy and indifferent, but the cabin crew were fine.
0
seesaw
Wolfpack: JT simply asked us to comment on best FAs and worst FAs. You don't have to drag your male ego into this topic. Remember, someday, your wife will be an old jaded one too and you will be the creepy old dude...so save your words....:)
0
veilside
Singapore's ladies take the trophy. Wow. But I would hate to see how they could move around if the plane's going down. The worst is United or Luftansa.
0
BurakuminDes
Any asian airline with asian hostesses are the best. Any foreign airline with "other" hostesses are the worst. Just my opinion after 9 years of International travel...
0
ca1ic0cat
I see this is all trending in a similar direction. The one time I got bounced from UA to JAL I loved the service. Lufthansa and American have been OK. SABINA is gone so that leaves UA at the bottom of the heap. USAir isn't much better but so far they have never served the kids moldy food. UA has. I recommend avoiding them.
0
J_rock
I've had my best experiences on Singapore, Malaysia and Cathay. Northwest is hands down the worst. Back when I used to fly regularly between Japan and Canada, I would avoid Northworst like the plague despite the fact that the fares were often significantly cheaper than other airlines.
0
Himajin
LMAO!!!
0
Toecutter
Any Asian Airline has quality customer service in my opinion. I`ve flown JAL, Cathay, Singapore, Malaysian, Korean, Thai - all great.
The worst. I flew United once, and couldn`t wait to get out of that tube. The "waitresses" need to distinguish between the concepts of "service", which comes with a smile, and "servitude", which rhymes with attitude - thankfully it was a short flight Narita to Incheon.
But, the absolute worst, Pakistan International Air. I don
t even know where to begin. Never again, Id rather break my fingers with a hammer than fly that airline again.0
flammenwerfer
Air NZ are like United: they keep old witches forever who spill drinks are abrupt and too fat for the job. Hate flying AirNZ.
Singapore are excellent and I have only good things to say about ANA.
Ryan Air - got prison guard type once, I was afraid to make eye contact type. Luckily it was a 1 Hour flight and no real service needed ( or provided )
0
Nosweat
Cathay Pacific has always got my thumbs up. And even my national carrier, Qantas, do well most of the time despite the joke that Qantas stands for Quick And Nasty Typically Australian Service.
Most Asian Airlines I have flown with are usually good-Malaysian is good except for the ghastly uniforms the males have to wear.
North West are atrocious. The FAs looked like they would be more at home working in a diner. And rude.....they are very rude.
0
Nosweat
Add for a light hearted look at FAs..... try looking on You Tube at Pam An - an Australian comedienne- hilarious!
0
Foxie
Asian Airlines are the best, I like the extra space you get with Korean Airlines compared to Cathay and they have these cool headrests. Malaysian and Singapore have the best food.American airlines are the worst. And surprisingly, the airline with the most beautiful flight attendants and uniforms is Atlasjet Airlines from Turkey. Japanese airlines don't provide much services anymore. Getting just one drink with peanuts on a 4 hour domestic flight is just bad service.
0
Teeej
The Asian airlines are by far the best, with Cathay narrowly winning due to the great attitude of their attendants. Though if anyone saw this month's FHM, Air Asia's FA's look like contenders.
Best non-Asian airline: Virgin
Worst: Northwest. Generally unpleasant and think of the money they could save in fuel costs by having a Cathay crew.
0
abromofo
Best: JAL
They make an effort, and in my experience they help out families travelling with young kids.
Worst: Air New Zealand
They are ALWAYS in a group, in the galley, with the curtains closed, laughing and chatting. They made me feel like I was interrupting them when I asked for some milk for our little one. Lazy sods.
0
whitepocky
Whenever booking flights, check out Singapore or Malaysia. Having said that Vietnam airlines have new planes and the FA's were very courteous. Can't go wrong.
0
rondh69
As a Canadian, I have to admit Air Canada is the absolute worse, followed by any major American airline and I've flown most. Air China was good sometimes, awful others. I've always had good treatment flying JAL...
0
greensatindress
Northworst. The name says it all.
0
Sarge
Has anyone ever flown Aeroflot?
0
mark71
There are several websites where you can review and share your experience with airlines: SkyTrax: http://www.airlinequality.com Airlikes: http://www.airlikes.com/
0
marushka
Sarge: of course, this is wonderful experience highly recommended to fly inside of metal bird :)
Back to top