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FLIGHT ROUTINE
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FLIGHT ROUTINE

In this section, we will discuss specific details related to Flight Routine. In order for flights to
go smoothly and for the entire crew to present themselves professionally in front of the
passengers, it is important that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, and pay
attention to details. There are many tasks that need to be done, and some of them will have
a bearing on the emergency readiness of an aircraft. Thus it is important that all of these tasks
are done with accuracy and completeness, and any discrepancies are to be reported right
away. As there is a chance you may be assigned to handle any task before, during or after a
flight, it is important that you are familiar with all these tasks.

SIGNING-IN FOR THE FLIGHT

You will need to report to the inflight office at least 2 hours prior to your flight. During this
time, you pick up important email, update yourself with the latest proceedings, find out if there
is any flight delay or changes, check that you are familiar with the latest changes in company
policy and procedures, and generally be ready for the flight. There may be changes in how
the service should be rendered, or there may be a new regulation to follow.

CABIN CREW PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING

You will then proceed to a crew briefing session conducted by the Purser/Senior Cabin Crew.
This session will help you get to know your team mates for the flight if the team hasn’t worked
together previously. This is where you will be introduced to the team and everyone will discuss
their expectations for the flight, share important information, and discuss special instructions
and situations

The Purser/Senior Cabin Crew will brief on the following topics:

  Introduction
Names, nationalities, languages spoken, class number, etc.
Grooming and Documents checks
Assign duty positions and emergency duties
Ensure required minimum crew strength is present

  Flight Information
Give out information about the flight
Discuss reported equipment irregularities in the CML
Special needs passengers/SPML

  Safety and Security

Review Communication Procedures
Review Safety and Emergency Procedures/Equipment

  Medical
Review medical procedures
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  Service
Discuss food service flow/standards
Coordinate rest breaks on flights more than 8 hours
Duty Free sales

  Questions/Clarifications and Closing

Team can ask questions to clarify doubts if any
Share inspirational/motivational quote to the crew

The Flight Deck Crew may also pay a short visit to this briefing mainly for introduction and
meet & greet. The Captain may provide the following additional information:

  Forecasted/anticipated weather at departure, en-route and destination.

  Temperature at destination
  Flying conditions throughout the flight eg. turbulence
  Actual flight time
  Security Threats (Terrorism) and Public Health Issues (eg. Bird Flu)

This crew briefing is important to establish a basis for communication, where everyone in the
flight and cabin crew can come together to discuss how they can work together to make this
flight a pleasant and safe one for the passengers. The briefing is usually held at an assigned
room at the airport, or on the aircraft itself, and is short and precise, as each member of the
crew has specific pre-flight duties to be done prior to departure.

Note: It could be difficult for the flight crew and cabin crew to come together for a briefing, the
captain will brief the Purser/SCC who will then conduct a separate briefing for the entire cabin
crew team.
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Practice Pre-Flight Briefing with the following scenario:

FLIGHT DETAILS
Capt. Santos Flying Time – 3h and 30m
4 - WCHR
F/O Alarcon Cruising Altitude - 35,000 ft.
1 – BLND
Flight No. PTC-AIR 143 Temp. in Nrt – 10*C
1 - UM
MNL-NRT No expected turbulence
SPML
ETD – 1230 Pax Load – Full
2 - DBML
ETA – 1700 Meal Service – Lunch
3 – CHML
C

CABIN CREW BOARDING

The Flight Deck Crew and Cabin Crew are usually required to report to the airport at least 1
hour before ETD for domestic flights and 1.5 hours before ETD for international flights.

PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS

Flight Deck Crew Pre-flight Checks

The First Officer will perform an inspection of the exterior of the airplane to look for anything
that may be unusual with the aircraft. In the industry, this is referred to a ‘walk-around’. The
Flight Deck Crew is responsible for ensuring the maintenance crew corrects all technical faults
that could impact the safety of the flight. Some repairs may be deferred if they do not impact
the safety, such as if a passenger seat does not recline properly. This seat can be left unused
and scheduled to be repaired later, and the flight can take off without unnecessary delays.
The Flight Crew checks Maintenance Equipment List (MEL).
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Cabin Crew Pre-Flight Checks

Once on board, the Cabin Crew will accomplish pre-flight checks, and the Purser will ensure
that everyone works as a team. Bear in mind that in any one flight, you may be assigned to
accomplish one or more of these checks, so make sure you know how to do them all. These
Pre-flight Checks include, but are not limited to:

  Safety Equipment Pre-Flight Check

  Security Check
  Galley Supplies/Equipment Check

The Cabin Crew will check with their designated area in the cabin. The Purser will check the
Cabin Maintenance Logbook (CML) confirms that all emergency equipment checks and
security checks are done. They also need to check that all issues to be resolved have been
resolved. For example, are there any broken or missing emergency equipment or any
equipment in the galley, lavatories or cabin that do not function properly? Like the Captain,
the Purser is responsible for ensuring that a level of functionality exists within the cabin, for
safety, security and service purposes.

Note: Any safety related issues or discrepancies must be reported to the Captain and an
entry must be made in the CML.

PASSENGER BOARDING PROCESS

Some airlines offer passengers with special needs the opportunity to pre-board. These people
include those who need wheelchairs or crutches to assist in movement, blind or deaf people,
elderly people, or families with very young children. The Cabin Crew can then render
assistance as needed without the hassle of congested aisles. These passengers, as well as
their caregivers, get an individual safety briefing tailored to their needs. This safety briefing
may be repeated by the cabin crew individually after they are done with the main safety
briefing.

At the point when the rest of the passengers begin boarding the aircraft, the cabin crew begin
their face-to-face interactions with the people whom they will serve for the entire flight. The
Cabin Crew must be available to welcome and assist passengers as they board. This is a
good time for them to observe passengers, anticipate needs, and render help as needed. For
example, assisting passengers stow their luggage into overhead compartments. At this time,
the cabin crew can also make sure that the luggage carried on meet size and weight
restrictions of the airline. Moreover, it is also a perfect time for the Cabin Crew to take note of
any suspicious behavior by passengers.
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As part of the boarding process, the Cabin Crew will be tasked to Verify Exit Row
Passengers. People seated in the exit row have to meet certain criteria since these are
people who may have to assist in the event of an emergency. The Cabin Crew needs to
communicate with these passengers to ensure that they meet the criteria, and that they are
willing to assist should an emergency arise. Subsequently, once the exit row seating is
confirmed, the Purser will have to be notified. If a passenger does not meet any of the criteria,
he or she will have to be re-seated somewhere else. It is perfectly fine for an exit row seat to
be unoccupied, but not acceptable if it is occupied by someone who does not meet the criteria
to assist in the event of an emergency. The Purser will then make the Welcome
Announcement.

CRITERIA FOR EXIT ROW PASSENGERS

• At least 15 years old

• Willing to assist in the event of an emergency
• Able to assist in the event of an emergency
• Sufficiently mobile
• Able to open emergency exits
• Understand all instructions given in printed or graphic form
• Understand oral commands given by the crew member
• Not traveling with someone who requires assistance in the event of an emergency

EXIT ROW PASSENGER BRIEFING PROCEDURE

1. Greet and Introduce self to the exit row passengers.

2. Ask: Are you aware that you are seated in the emergency exit row?
Get a verbal “YES” answer from the passengers.

3. Ask: Are you willing and able to assist in an emergency?

Get a verbal “YES” answer from the passenger.

4. Show and Give the Safety Information Card to the passengers.

5. And tell them:

“Please review the Safety Information Card and let us know
if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.”
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CHECKS BEFORE CLOSING THE BOARDING DOOR

Once all the passengers are on board, greeted, and welcomed to the flight, the Cabin Crew
will begin their pre-take-off preparations. They must complete all the tasks in this list, report
to the Purser/SCC who will then advise the Captain that the door is ready to be closed. The
aircraft doors will not close and the aircraft will not move until the Captain has received this
verification.

Purser/SCC inspects the Cabin for the following before closing door:

  BAGS

Confirm that all luggage are properly stowed, in overhead bins or under
the seats

  BINS

Check that all compartments, closets and overhead bins are securely
closed

  BODIES

Check, confirm and verify exit row passengers

Confirm that all passengers are seated with their seatbelt fastened
Ensure all lavatories are unoccupied and close

AFTER DOOR CLOSURE

After the door is closed, Cabin Crew will then perform Door Arming Procedures, Cross
Check doors and Purser will do an All Call to the rest of the crew to confirm doors are
armed.
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PASSENGER SAFETY DEMONSTRATION

Passenger safety demo is one of the most important tasks you will accomplish as a Cabin
Crew because passengers are usually not familiar with the aircraft, this is your chance to
educate them on emergency procedures. Do remember that this is the only time your
passengers will learn about emergency procedures, and that it is your job to ensure they are
sufficiently aware of all the necessary precautions as well as how to respond to any sudden
situation. Never assume that the passengers are as familiar with the procedures as you are.
Always conduct the briefing with professionalism. The lives of everyone on board may depend
on whether everyone, including the passengers, is able to follow safety procedures in the
event of an emergency.

It is imperative that all airlines provide both a briefing and a visual demonstration to
passengers before take-off. Some commercial flights use their video equipment to accomplish
this, while others enlist the help of cabin crew demonstration. In these cases, the Cabin Crew
will stand by at their demo stations so that they are fully visible to the passengers. All Cabin
Crew are trained to demonstrate the entire process with or without a video. The Purser/SCC
will then read the announcement while the crew points out the location of each piece of
equipment and demonstrates how to use them.

The safety briefing should cover the following topics:

  Proper Stowage of Luggage

  Use and Operation of Seatbelt
  Location and Use of Life Vest
  Use and Operation of Drop Out Oxygen Masks
  Location of Emergency Exits
  Location of Emergency Escape Path Lighting
  Location and Purpose of the Passenger Safety Card
  Smoking Regulations
  Use of Electronic Devices (take-off, during the flight, and on landing)
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PREPARING FOR TAKE-OFF

Once the safety demo is done, a sequence of tasks occur before the flight takes-off.

1. The Cabin Crew will walk through the cabin and do Passenger Safety Compliance check
these are:
  stowage bins closed and secured
  window shades open
  tray tables folded
  baggage secured under the seat
  seatbelt fastened
  seatbacks in the upright position

2. Galley checks - service equipment/carts are returned to original position and latched
- turn off all galley switches

3. Cabin checks - doors, exits and aisles are clear of obstructions

- lavatories are vacant

4. The Purser/SCC will - do a final walk through the cabin. (360*)

- report to the Capt. “Cabin Ready for Take-Off”
- dim cabin lights
5. The Crew will take their respective jumpseat for take-off.

6. The Pilot on Duty (usually the Captain) performs take-off.

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AFTER TAKE-OFF

After take-off the fasten seatbelt sign will be switched off at 10,000 ft. during this time
In-flight duties begin.

  Start Food and Beverage service

  Attend to F/D needs
  Duty Free sales

  Offer 100% Customer Service

- distribute/circulate newspaper
- engage passengers in a friendly conversation
- offer to close window shades, recline seats, adjust vents and
turn reading lights off or on, offer additional blanket/pillow
- pass around water/juice regularly (long haul flights)
- check on passengers who are not feeling well or in distress

  Regular checks on the cleanliness of the lavatories, cabin and galleys

  Be vigilant of passengers’ adherence to safety regulations throughout the
flight
- use of prohibited electronic devices
- smoking in lavatory
- adherence to fasten seatbelt sign (when seatbelt sign is “ON”)

  Be alert for any danger to passengers, crew or aircraft

PREPARING FOR LANDING

And finally, as the plane is about to reach its destination, the Cabin Crew will begin to prepare
the cabin and the galleys for landing like they did for take-off. They must check that all
compartments,
overhead bins and closets are closed and secured, that all service items are returned and
galley equipment stowed securely, that all passengers are seated and have the seat belts
fastened and luggage properly stowed, and that all the aisles are clear. Especially important
is that the floors in front of the emergency exits are all clear and accessible.

Once all the preparations are done, the Crew will return to their assigned jump seats for
landing. The Captain will give 2 chimes to let the Crew know of the final approach. At this
time, all cabin crew should be seated and perform a silent review until the aircraft has landed.
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AFTER LANDING

  Door Disarming Procedure

  Cross Check and All Call
  Fasten Seatbelt sign off
  Opening of Deplaning Door
  Deplaning of Passengers
First Class and Business Class passengers first
Special Needs Pax last
  Cabin Check
  Debriefing (Optional)
  Thank Crew Members and Leave Aircraft
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THE FLIGHT ROUTINE IN A NUTSHELL

1. Sign-in for the flight 15. Fasten seatbelt sign off

2. Check mailbox/email (10,000 ft.)
3. Attend Crew briefing 16. Start of Inflight Service
4. Captain’s briefing - Food and Beverage Service
- Customer Service
5. Board aircraft - Duty Free sales
6. Pre-flight checks - Lavatory Checks
- Equipment Check
- Security Check 17. Preparation for Landing
- Galley Check (Fasten seatbelt sign On)
- Collection of trash/
7. Passenger Boarding serving equipment
- Exit Row Briefing - Passenger Safety Compliance
- Greet pax Check
- Assist pax with seats - Dim Lights
and baggage - Take Jumpseat
- Final Approach
8. Checks before Door closing - 2 Chimes
- Bags 18. Landing
- Bins - Disarming Procedures
- Bodies - Opening of Door
9. Door Closing - Passenger Deplaning
- Cabin check
10. Arming of Doors 19. Crew debriefing (Optional)
- Cross Check 20. Thanks Crew members and leave aircraft
- All Call

11.Safety Demo
12 Passenger Safety Compliance Check
13. Cabin Ready Report
- Takeoff Stations
14. Take off