Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
KLM chief works as cabin crew on flight to Johannesburg
KLM chief Marjan Rintel worked alongside cabin crew on a flight from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to Johannesburg this week.
She helped serve catering and asked passengers what they thought of KLM’s new catering offer on intercontinental flights.
Rintel had previously joined a flight to and from Los Angeles in the same role.
She wants to use the experience and feedback to improve KLM’s service.
Cabin crew shape how passengers experience a flight, and their work also involves long periods standing and staying alert.
Staff can also face difficult situations, including disruptive passengers and medical emergencies.
Rintel said the flight gave her a better understanding of the work and could help her make stronger decisions for KLM.
The airline may use passenger feedback to guide further service improvements.
KLM chief executive Marjan Rintel worked alongside cabin crew on an intercontinental flight from Schiphol to Johannesburg this week.
She took on some cabin duties, including helping with catering, and asked passengers about their experience of KLM’s service.
Rintel also tested the airline’s new catering offer on intercontinental flights and said passenger feedback could help improve the service.
She said cabin work is both rewarding and challenging, requiring crew to stand for long periods and remain alert.
Rintel had previously joined a KLM flight to and from Los Angeles to experience cabin crew work.
- Who
- KLM chief executive Marjan Rintel worked with the cabin crew.
- What
- She took on some cabin duties, tested the new catering offer and sought passenger feedback.
- When
- This week, according to reports published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- On an intercontinental flight from Schiphol to Johannesburg.
- Why
- She wanted to experience cabin crew work and hear passengers’ views to help improve KLM’s service.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rintel joined a KLM flight to and from Los Angeles to experience cabin crew work.
Rintel worked with cabin crew on an intercontinental flight from Schiphol to Johannesburg.
She helped with catering, tested the new offer and asked passengers for feedback.
- Executive
- Marjan Rintel, KLM chief executive
- Route
- Schiphol to Johannesburg
- Aircraft
- Boeing 777-300ER
- Duties
- Worked alongside cabin crew and helped with catering
- Purpose
- Test new intercontinental catering and gather passenger feedback
3 sources
What people are saying
The work on board is both wonderful and challenging. You stand on your feet for a long time and you are alert all the time.
That made me want more.
Good to see that people also appreciate our new service and fortunately always have points for improvement.