Table of Contents
As we had been making ready to land at Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO) throughout a current Delta Air Traces flight, a pleasant attendant handed me and some different passengers a card with a handwritten thank-you word on the again. I had by no means obtained such a word, nor had I identified they existed. I instantly texted my trusted co-worker and fellow frequent flyer Clint Henderson for some perception.
He advised me that receiving a handwritten thank-you word from the flight attendants is uncommon and that I ought to dangle on to it as a memento. I used to be already feeling fortunate after my newly earned SkyMiles Silver Medalion standing scored me a last-minute complimentary improve to Consolation+ for the two-hour flight to Orlando. However I actually felt like a VIP after receiving this candy word.
The reporter in me instantly needed to study extra about these elusive notes. Right here’s what I came upon.
Going the additional SkyMile
Once I requested my co-workers and TPG Lounge Fb group members, I obtained dozens of responses from fellow vacationers who had obtained handwritten notes from flight attendants over time. Typically, flight attendants use these notes to acknowledge prospects for his or her loyalty to the airline or as a perk for flying in business- or first-class cabins.
A number of individuals who responded mentioned the notes they obtained thanked them for being an elite member. Whether or not they had been upgraded like I used to be or they paid outright (utilizing money or miles), most additionally mentioned they had been sitting in a premium cabin when notes had been bestowed upon them. On the day I obtained mine, I solely noticed the flight attendants handing out notes to passengers in first-class or Consolation+ seats.
Some passengers discovered notes ready for them of their seats once they boarded, however others, like me, obtained their notes close to the tip of the flight. In my case, we skilled turbulence, so there was no inflight service. Although it’s pure hypothesis, I guessed the flight attendants used the additional time to craft a number of thank-you notes.
Associated: Greatest home first-class airline: Delta, United or American?
One flight attendant responded to the submit that he prefers thanking vacationers in individual versus passing them a handwritten word; a number of flyers mentioned they’ve additionally encountered this. One traveler who has been a Delta SkyMiles member for greater than 40 years and has flown over 2 million miles shared that flight attendants sometimes cease by his seat to thank him.
Whether or not a word or a pleasant “thanks” and a handshake, most people who responded mentioned they’ve solely obtained this kindness a handful of instances. If you happen to ever end up amongst them, comprehend it’s a uncommon treasure.
It’s not all about elite standing
Whereas it’s good to be acknowledged in your loyalty to a specific airline, that’s removed from the one purpose a flight attendant would possibly acknowledge you throughout a flight.
After mentioning how a lot she liked rice crackers whereas chatting with a flight attendant within the galley of a Japan Airways flight, TPG Senior Author Katie Genter obtained the word and reward pictured under. The flight attendant took the time to attract an lovely image of Katie and her husband and reward them with — what else — a number of rice crackers and snack mixes from the flight.
TPG Senior Director Gabe Travers obtained a word from a flight attendant for a really totally different — and much much less lighthearted — purpose. After coping with a prolonged delay on the outbound leg of a global journey, he had an apology word ready in his seat when he boarded his return flight to the U.S. Flight delays and cancellations occur, however it lessens the sting when you understand the airline empathizes along with your state of affairs.
Others have obtained a word from a flight attendant once they flew on their birthday, anniversary or different special day. Some even obtained a bottle of wine or different reward together with their word. A number of responses had been much more sudden.
Associated: Ideas for overcoming a worry of flying
One lady, an admitted nervous flyer, shared that she at all times introduces herself to the crew members and visits them on the flight deck earlier than takeoff to calm her nerves. As a result of they naturally get to know her throughout their conversations, she and her husband have obtained the occasional word over time and even Champagne on their anniversary.
A number of respondents within the Fb group mentioned they usually convey snacks or Starbucks reward playing cards for the flight crew and can sometimes obtain a thank-you word in response.
However my recommendation is to not anticipate to be on the receiving finish of this uncommon gesture. Considerate acts like this are particular as a result of they’re a shock. Once you start to anticipate random acts of kindness, you lose the very factor that makes them particular.
Backside line
When a flight attendant takes the time to acknowledge you in your loyalty or to mark a momentous event, it makes your journey really feel much more particular. Whether or not I obtain a handwritten word or not, I at all times thank flight attendants for his or her onerous work and kindness, and I hope you do too.
Associated studying:
- Greatest airline bank cards
- Greatest frequent flyer packages for US vacationers
- How to decide on an airline bank card
- Greatest methods to earn airline miles
