Summary
- WestJet CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, demonstrated exemplary leadership by serving beverages and chatting with guests on a routine flight, showing appreciation for the cabin crew.
- Von Hoensbroech’s gesture is an element of a trend amongst top airline CEOs, comparable to Lufthansa’s Jens Ritter and KLM’s Marjan Rintel, who aim to know frontline employee challenges and improve passenger experiences.
- The CEO’s hands-on approach and interaction with passengers reflect his commitment to leading by example and gaining firsthand insights for enhancing WestJet’s customer support.
The CEO of WestJet, Alexis von Hoensbroech, was seen serving beverages to the guests onboard the carrier’s early morning flight to Calgary Ottawa International Airport (YYC). The Chief of the second-largest airline in Canada shared a photograph on LinkedIn assisting cabin crew through the airline’s scheduled service between YYC and Ottawa International Airport (YOW). Mr Hoensbroech is leading his team by example while learning the shopper experience onboard WestJet flights firsthand.
An exemplary gesture
A member of the highest management at WestJet showed an exemplary gesture to its cabin crew and guests onboard a routine flight. WestJet Flight WS611 is a day by day service between YOW and YYC operated on the carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. On Wednesday morning’s flight, CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech swapped his comfortable seat within the front of the cabin for the aircraft aisle. Mr. Hoensbroech’s post on LinkedIn read,
#LoveMyJob! At all times fun supporting our incredible crew during service ☕️ on our WestJet flights and chatting with our guests. Identical to this morning on WS611 from Ottawa #YOW to Calgary #YYC ✈️
The CEO’s continued appreciation for flight attendants
Mr Hoensbroech has been serving within the CEO’s position at WestJet since February 2022. He wasn’t shy to support the cabin crew through the beverage service while chatting with the passengers. In May, Mr Hoensbroech was seen celebrating the International Flight Attendant Day. The airline hosted a mini celebration event for its flight attendants at its hub in Calgary.
Photo: WestJet
Alexis von Hoensbroech posted on his LinkedIn page,
Blissful International Flight Attendant Day! Today and each day, our cabin crew members embody our values by going above and beyond for our guests by demonstrating the care, friendliness and support the WestJet Group is thought for. To the 1000’s of people who make up our team of cabin crew, showing up in uniform to prioritize the security and luxury of everyone onboard our aircraft – thanks 🙏.
I could also be biased but I really imagine our flight attendants are best in school across our industry! ✈️ 🤗
Other notable examples
An analogous gesture towards the airline employees and guests is obvious from the actions of the CEO’s of major airlines worldwide. Just last month, the CEO of Germany’s flag carrier Lufthansa, Jens Ritter, served as a flight attendant during two international flights. Mr Ritter aimed to know the challenges flight attendants face each day and gain passenger experience firsthand.
Photo: Jens Ritter/Lufthansa via Linkedin
In May, the President and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Marjan Rintel, was seen serving passengers during a Los Angeles – Amsterdam rotation. The airline chief was spotted within the daring blue crew uniform during service onboard the carrier’s Boeing 787-10.
A couple of years ago, the CEO of JetBlue, Robin Hayes, was spotted collecting garbage from the passengers after the service. The airline chief flew within the economy cabin through the flight to get a feel of the passenger experience.
The highest management of major airlines across the globe takes part in similar initiatives to know the challenges faced by the frontline staff. Not only do they lead by example, however the insights they receive grow to be vital for bringing improvements.
What are your thoughts on the WestJet CEO’s gesture towards frontline staff and the guests onboard the flight? Have you ever traveled with WestJet recently? Share your experience within the comments section.
Source: Alexis von Hoensbroech/LinkedIn