Lost in Translation: American Airlines First Class New York JFK to Los Angeles

Looks great! Hey Ben, I'm doing NYC-LHR-CDG on AA's 777 in F. Does the plane have wifi? Do they hand out tablets on F? What are my options on using the internet during the flight?

Ah that famous cheese tortellini! American must buy it in Costco-level quantities - its a $1.99 Stouffers - amazing thy can serve it in first

I think people need to chill about the name thing. There's no reason to be a jerk if someone serving you is being friendly but happens to use your first name.

I was in this flight on 2A, who asked the FA, would you warm up my nut please, and she replied definite not in public?

The name formality is such a cultural thing. Americans are really informal, you can address your seniors by first name basis. I am from latinamerica, and titles and names are a BIG deal. People do get really upset if they are called on a first name basis, this is also a generational things, so older folks area more sensitive.

I think an "international" crowd should know enough about American informalism to not sound like self-important douches.

Saying what the German guy said is the nadir of class. A simple request, while in my view unnecessary for the above reason, would certainly be more acceptable than saying "you will call me...". People need to get over themselves sometimes...

Andrew & Steve: I agree he didn't have to approach it that way. However, at the same time, Americans need to understand our cultures and as an employee that serves domestic and international clients, they must be trained to respect it and approach it as such. I'm sure the FA didn't mean to offend.
If you still disagree with me than that only means, you are closed minded to ONLY american or where ever you came from's culture. For example, in some Asian counties, you don't write people's name in Red color.

The World is more exposed to each other than decades ago. We need to respect everyone's culture and ways.

by the way, "international crowd should know enough about American informatlism to not sound like self-important douches", doesn't that make you sound like a self-important douche by suggesting other countries SHOULD know about American culture? What if the persoon flying barely goes to America or flies? in any case, isn't it the FA's job to know? not the flyer??

Curb! My favorite.

It's not about being self-important douches, this is first class. If you're checking into a hotel, they wouldn't say "Hiya Steve!" First class passengers should be addressed as Mr. XYZ or at least Sir.

I'm sorry but some of the cultural ignorance contained within the comments so far is astounding. The name-calling was the icing on the cake. I hope you never travel internationally as you represent the more unfortunate American stereotype the rest of the world looks down its nose at.

Good lord, does it really matter whether cabin crew use one's given name or surname when they are being friendly and sincere? You've got 200 strangers stuffed into a pressurized tube and the crew is trying to lighten the mood by being genuine. Jeez.

Why does it have to be either/or? Why can't they be friendly and address people correctly? This is first class. They should never address somebody by their given name unless the passenger asks them to.

Yes it does. Once again, we may not have an issue with itas N Amricans, but it reflects poorly on the FA training and other people may not be used to it. And as Andy B. says: Would you accept that at a hotel check-in? Of course she did not mean any offence and the fellow was travelling on an American carrier so he should be aware of our more relaxed attitudes, but the FA wasn't dealing with a grandma from Oklahoma here.

@ Carl: yes it does matter. It's all about professionalism and etiquette.
I have worked in few American Companies where they make sure their employees address all of their clients on or off the phone as Mr. or Mrs, etc. And if they want to call someone by thier first name, you always ask for permission first. Were you not raised with etiquette and values Carl? lol

@ mike -- Enjoy your trip! Unfortunately there's no wifi on international flights. Instead of a portable entertainment system you'll have a build in personal entertainment system with a similar selection.

@Mike - yes, i was raised with values, apparently unlike you.

That poor Nazi had his feelings hurt.

Germans LOVE their titles. It's very important to them if they're Prof, Dr, etc. and you should remember this when speaking to them!!

@ JL

What an idiotic thing to say. Let's assume everybody is a negative stereotype related to his/her country!

It's not only German, and it's not so much about the title as the equivalent of how American's feel when our personal space is invaded.

My friends who did a stint in Switzerland said after three years, they weren't on a first name basis with many in the office. It's reserved for close friends and family.

I concur that folks just don't understand other cultures when they dismiss them. (I'm sure the person offended could have had more class in response, but it is not a small issue to them).

Lucky, surprised you didn't go MIA-LAX in the 777, much, much better hard product and very similar soft product (which is basically enhanced business class, as much of the food is identical).

It's a fully flat seat.

It seems to me the experience on AA is comparable to United's PS flights, actually the picture of AA's first class seat looks very simliar to the Business Class seat on United I just flew to SFO.

Of course everything is going to change in September when United launches it's new PS 757 with fully flat Business First seats and 15 1/2" Entertainment screens. These are the seats Continental introduced about a year ago on their long haul flights and I think, are some of the best lie flat seats in the air. Domestically no one else comes close to this level of comfort...yet. I think it wil be a game changer and others will follow with fully flat beds on their coast to coast flights.

Thanks for your report, I love your site!

I wonder who the famous guy was

Germans are heavy on titles, even with their boss.

Lucky, I think you should delete number 18's post and do more filtering. That is a very offensive remark.

I will never understand NA's infatuation with Nazi Germany.

"I will never understand NA’s infatuation with Nazi Germany."

The results of mass-media indoctrination. Spend more time in NA and you'll be swamped with it.

The ruling tribe has an axe to grind, you might say.

most imbecilic americans are way too informal; one should NEVER use a first name to anyone. It is always, Mr./Ms., Dr., Prof, Madam, your honor, Sir. Perhaps, this lack of respect of common courtesy is why america is in such bad shape.

I am way too late to this post but I wanted to comment about the use of first names. I've lived in the US for half of my life but grew up in USSR/Russia and I'm still not used to the fact that senior (in age or position) people can be addressed by first name.

I don't even call my parents by their first names. In Russia, as a sign of respect you address a person by first & middle names (where middle name is a partonymic). If you are really familiar with that person, you may get away with "Uncle/Aunt [first name]" (even if not related; Vietnamese have a similar big-brother/big-sister thing, I believe).

Although to be fair to the US, in the Southern states we do try to make it more formal by using "sir" and "ma'am"... which can be quite hilarious some times when a person calling you "sir"/"ma'am" is much senior than you 🙂