Not a Way to Generate Customer Loyalty Among Young Flyers

Our Savvy Angels fly tens of thousands of kilometers-a-year and see some pretty bizarre things in the air.

On August 27 on a non-stop Air Canada flight from Toronto to Vancouver (AC 101 - in case management wishes to investigate), one of them reported seeing the leading flight attendant berate a 15-year-old solo passenger in Economy Class for accepting too much complimentary food.

"Are you travelling alone? We will have to stop comping you on stuff and you will have to pay for it," said the F/A.

She then went on to say - with a chuckle: "Oh wait a minute you are a minor and you don't have a credit card so you cant pay." When we last checked the boy had a (very unhealthy) package of Pringles on his fold down tray.

Air Canada only accepts credit cards for food and beverage items. The young flyer was offered a pizza on the house shortly after take-off but further into the 4-hour plus flight he asked for more food. That's when the problems started.

We suggest Air Canada to supply its cabin crew with a list of unaccompanied minors and to brief them thoroughly on policies related to providing them with complimentary snacks and drinks. The way this was handled was definitely not savvy!