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Swissair Complaint - Swiss Air Ignored Serious Electrical Problem on Zurich-Hong Kong Flight - Zurich Hong Kong flight in the dark
Zurich Hong Kong flight in the dark - Complaint
I wrote to Swiss Air one month ago today, but no response, so I will now post complaints online.
I spent the entire 14 hour flight from Zurich to Hong Kong in the dark because neither the overhead lights nor any electronics (TV, videos) worked. This was obviously a wiring problem, not a matter of rebooting the system, and I reported it well before take-off. The stewardess said it would be rebooted, though I said this would not work. It was obviously a wiring or fuse problem, not a computer problem. Yet in spite of this, and without knowing the extent of the electrical problem, the attendant ignored me.
Over an hour later, I asked again about it; the attendant snapped that they were serving the meal and could not deal with it. After three hours, I hit the attendant button of a neighboring seat (because nothing in my seat worked). It was ignored, but half an hour later, an attendant came by, switched it off, and kept going. This happened three times before an attendant finally came, smiled sweetly and asked, "Is it still not working?"
It was obviously not working. Everything was dark in my seat and my neighbors (mine was 26E and his 26D).
Electrical problems (whether shortages or otherwise) can be serious, and I was very surprised this was entirely ignored. So I and the man in 26D sat in the dark, literally, the entire flight. I then reported this online on Oct. 17th. Swiss Air said I'd receive a prompt response. Today, one month later, I've heard nothing.
I never expected such poor maintenance, or service, on a Swiss Air flight. (I do not, however, blame the attendants, who overall were quite courteous, and should not have to deal with such problems; they were probably up against the wall, because of Swiss Air's poor maintenance).
Sincerely,
Dr. B.B.
Flight LX 138, Zurich to HK, 17 Oct. 2009
I spent the entire 14 hour flight from Zurich to Hong Kong in the dark because neither the overhead lights nor any electronics (TV, videos) worked. This was obviously a wiring problem, not a matter of rebooting the system, and I reported it well before take-off. The stewardess said it would be rebooted, though I said this would not work. It was obviously a wiring or fuse problem, not a computer problem. Yet in spite of this, and without knowing the extent of the electrical problem, the attendant ignored me.
Over an hour later, I asked again about it; the attendant snapped that they were serving the meal and could not deal with it. After three hours, I hit the attendant button of a neighboring seat (because nothing in my seat worked). It was ignored, but half an hour later, an attendant came by, switched it off, and kept going. This happened three times before an attendant finally came, smiled sweetly and asked, "Is it still not working?"
It was obviously not working. Everything was dark in my seat and my neighbors (mine was 26E and his 26D).
Electrical problems (whether shortages or otherwise) can be serious, and I was very surprised this was entirely ignored. So I and the man in 26D sat in the dark, literally, the entire flight. I then reported this online on Oct. 17th. Swiss Air said I'd receive a prompt response. Today, one month later, I've heard nothing.
I never expected such poor maintenance, or service, on a Swiss Air flight. (I do not, however, blame the attendants, who overall were quite courteous, and should not have to deal with such problems; they were probably up against the wall, because of Swiss Air's poor maintenance).
Sincerely,
Dr. B.B.
Flight LX 138, Zurich to HK, 17 Oct. 2009
Comments:
Posted by VF-213 on 2009-11-17:
You make assertions of potential safety issues without understanding how aircraft IFE systems work. Your safety was never at risk.
Swiss Inter. is very cognisant of electrical issues given what happened to flt 111.
Interesting you claim they have such poor maintenance yet you willingly purchased a ticket and rode their aircraft.
Swiss Inter. is very cognisant of electrical issues given what happened to flt 111.
Interesting you claim they have such poor maintenance yet you willingly purchased a ticket and rode their aircraft.
Posted by Amoybill2009 on 2009-11-18:
I too am familiar with Flight 111--hence my surprise they ignored this problem. It is true that I do not understand aircraft IFE systems--but I do know that two seats with zero electrical power, in entertainment or overhead, probably have more wrong than just a system reboot (which the attendants eventually admitted; they could have said so 3 hours earlier). As to my willingly purchasing a ticket--many major airlines have had fatal crashes, but people still buy tickets on those airlines. Accidents do happen. Hopefully airlines learn from them.
Your point is taken--I don't know the systems. But in such a situation, the crew should explain what is happening, and not ignore the situation for three hours.
Your point is taken--I don't know the systems. But in such a situation, the crew should explain what is happening, and not ignore the situation for three hours.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-11-18:
If they ignored it they obviously either didn't think it was a danger or knew something you didn't. Everybody is an expert.
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