flight operations & passenger services

When the pre-flight preparations are completed, the ground flight controller and the captain of the airplane will give permission for passengers to board the plane. While the passengers are boarding, the cabin attendants watch to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays. This means that they must watch the passengers as they stow their carry-on luggage and sit down. The cabin attendants may give the passengers a pillow, a blanket, a set of earphones, a magazine, or a newspaper. Some airlines give out sweets to suck to ease the effects of air pressure on the passengers’ ears. If they need anything else, they can use the call button to ask their cabin attendant. To ease the tedious sitting, on long haul flights, airlines provide Audio and Video entertainment. They also provide magazines in every seat pocket, and letter paper and envelopes upon request. Toys, games and comics for kids are available upon request. Colognes, moisturizers, soaps, paper towels, etc., are provided in the toilets. In order to speed up the arrival formalities in the destination airport, passengers are requested to fill in the forms for the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine before landing (CIQ). All the information required must be filled in. If a passenger has any questions, he or she may ask the flight attendant. According to the quarantine regulations, passengers can’t bring in fresh fruit or dairy products, they have to eat them or give them to cabin attendants for disposal before the end of the flight. The purser will ask passengers for any comments or suggestions that may have arisen from the flight just completed. Items kept for passengers are returned. Tables are put upright, and the farewell announcement is made to bring the flight to a pleasant close. After landing, cabin attendants request passengers to stay in their seats and keep their seat belts fastened until the aircraft has stopped completely. This is a safety requirement as sudden braking may be necessary. Cabin crew should also keep their own seats until the aircraft has entered the taxi-way. After the aircraft has parked at the stand, cabin attendants open the door after disarming it.