For my second trip to Jakarta, we flew on Lufthansa Airlines – mainly because Singapore Airlines was fully booked for two weeks straight.
I’m especially particular about my flights. I don’t trust budget airlines and have never been on one. My best way to fly is always Singapore Airlines, though I have been on others as well.
So, Lufthansa. A foreign airline (to me at least). Well, well, well.
Did my research, and discovered that it is a German airline. And upon knowing this, I got gleeful because I love Germans (and their football team, hehe) and looked forward to good looking European flight attendants. I actually casted all my worries and doubts aside just because of this little discovery.
But as soon as I got onto the plane, my hopes dissipated fast.
And it only got worse as the flight progressed.
First of all, most of the crew were Europeans. But not in the right age group that I imagined. Why I ever imagined that it would be a younger, more attractive crew – I will never know.
Second, the aisles were really narrow and it was quite a chore putting our bags (and other misc. items up the .. cabin cabinet? (is that what it’s called?)
Third, I didn’t get a window seat. I was in the middle of 2 strangers while Toni and my boss were in the row ahead of me. Uncomfortable much? I always prefer to sit by the window because I want to look at clouds hehe. I don’t like siting in the middle of nowhere because I’m slightly claustrophobic.
No, a window seat doesn’t make me claustrophobic because I have the entire sky to my side. Well that’s my logic at least.
So other than these logistical issues, came a rather major issues which made me think about the intellect and tact of foreign airlines.
Ok so normally when we fly, we will place an order with the airline at the point of booking tickets. We will request for seafood, Muslim food etc. This time round, with Lufthansa when we tried to order, we were told that no food will be served during the flight.
That was already a turn off before the flight. And in my head, I was thinking – even budget airlines have food. At least they sell them. Pfft.
But as it turned out, they did serve us food. And that is where the drama began.
So served to us were a sandwich (i think it was turkey bacon or something), a simple fruit salad, German mineral water and a Kit-Kat.
My boss is very particular about Halal food. So because we didn’t know what exactly was in the sandwich and whether or not it’s Halal – we asked.
We were told it was turkey something something sandwich (can’t really recall right now) but I clearly recalled what we were told when we asked if it was Halal.
The (not so hot, not so young) flight attendant gave us a blank look and asked, “Halal? What’s Halal?”
Ok so this one, perhaps I can let go. It is a specialised Muslim term. FINE. So we tried another term. We asked if the food is for Muslims.
Another blank look as if we’ve asked her a ridiculous, time wasting question. And then she said, “Muslim? what’s Muslim? I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I can’t help you.”
Like HELLO?
It doesn’t matter that you are from a country that probably have very little Muslims and the Muslim culture isn’t really widespread. BUT. But you are in the service line and you have to cater to people from all walks of life. Surely, you’d have to at least know about this?
Besides, you are on a flight from Singapore to Jakarta. There are bound to be people who will have such a request. Even if you have never heard of the terms, at least don’t show it so blatantly. I was appalled and shocked by the exchange, from my middle seat one row behind. Flaberghasted.
So in the end all I had was the Kit-Kat and the fruit salad and some water. Doesn’t matter, we had a nice dinner and Sour Sally waiting for us at the hotel.
But still. Pfft.
So that was that. On the flight home, another incident happened. Also involving food.
We were served a beef dish which all of us couldn’t consume. Toni, being a Buddhist – doesn’t take beef.
So we asked the same questions we did. And got slightly better answers though it didn’t amount to anything.
We also asked if they have anything for vegetarians. Which they answered, “You have to order before the flight for such requests” – which got mild mannered Toni very upset. And which brought us to square one, where they told us that NO FOOD WILL BE SERVED.
But we were let down very gently despite our attempt to tell them their service sucks (hey it does) and we were given extra containers of fruit salad.
This was after a MAD, MAD jam on the way to the airport, a crazy RUSH to check in and then a stupid incident on the flight. Which made the evening fanstastically perfect.
But it’s okay, we all went to Swenson’s once we landed because we were obviously starving.
As for my flight preference, the best way to fly is still with Singapore Airlines. Lufthansa? Never heard of it.