Summary
Lufthansa CEO’s Hands-On Experience
Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter got hands-on recently, working as part of the flight crew on a couple of international flights.
Ritter, who started in the top post last year, worked as an “additional crew member” on flights to Riyadh and Bahrain. Ritter posted about the experience on LinkedIn, sharing photos of himself manning the drinks cart, handing out cups to passengers, and posing with the entire flight crew.
Gaining New Insights
“Sometimes, you need to change perspectives in order to gain new insights!” Ritter wrote in the post. “I have been working for the Lufthansa Group for many years, but I have never had the opportunity to work as part of the cabin crew. Honestly, that was so interesting and also challenging! I was amazed by how much there is to organize, especially if something doesn’t go as planned… I was astonished how much I learned in these few hours. Deciding things in the office will be different after really experiencing the decisions on board.”
Moreover, he noted that he incorrectly thought his pilot experience would aid him. “I used to fly as a pilot and so I thought I knew about the challenges a flight during the night entails,” he wrote. “However, to be present and attentive and charming – when the biological clock just tells you to sleep – was something entirely different.”
Focus on Crew Wellbeing
During the flight, Ritter experienced unexpected moments of air travel, such as when the meals on the menu cards weren’t actually available on the plane (he mentioned that this will be fixed). He helped out in business class on a flight to Riyadh before transitioning back to economy class on a redeye back to Frankfurt.
The post garnered more than 300 comments and over 6,000 reactions. One commenter inquired if there were any improvements that could be made for the crew. Ritter replied he would focus on stability and reliability while ensuring that crew members feel “seen, appreciated, and psychologically safe.”
Another poster praised Ritter, stating, “Every job should offer these opportunities, especially to high-level employees.” Ritter responded, “It is all about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, and I totally agree that it is an enriching and powerful experience.”
Lufthansa’s Upcoming Cabins
This ride-along comes just months before Lufthansa plans to roll out an all-new Suite Plus first-class cabin. This cabin will feature complete privacy with a door, a table for two, personalized temperature controls, a private minibar, and additional enhancements.
