Olympic A-340 From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 780 posts, RR: 11 Posted (12 years 12 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1331 times:
I am flying 4 flights on Alitalia 2 of which are 747-200's and two of which are Airbus A-321's... Do you think they would let me see the cockpit. I would die if I could... or even stay for landing (i wish) When do you ask? And what do you say when you ask?
Thanx
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8770 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (12 years 12 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1115 times:
I would probably say during cruise. I think you'd have to ask the FA, who would then ask the crew. Corrections welcomed.
N766UA From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 7988 posts, RR: 27 Reply 2, posted (12 years 12 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1102 times:
That's what I would do. Ask an F/A when they serve the meal. So while you're eating they have a chance to mention it and think about it. Then after you eat you can go up. Last time I was in the cockpit was in a Piedmont 727, so it's been a while. I think my dad just asked the F/A.
DeltaMan From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (12 years 12 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1080 times:
First of all... I wouldn't ask the F/A! I mean you can.. .but that is not the best approach. 1st I would ask the ticket agent if I could walk on board before boarding. (or ask the pilots when they get on the plane) When you get on the plane talkk to the pilots and be nice, then ask! If it is an internation flight.. you can't do that! So what you do... is when you walk on the plane, when they greet you as the F/A if she can introduce you to the pilots. What to say... hmm... well... be very nice, tell them who you are and then when you get a descent conversation up just ask them if you can come up in flight and watch the landing or something. I doubt they will turn you down! Good luck! Also... it is illegal for a US carrier to let you in the flightdeck inflight. So... don't ask US airline.
AirCanadaMan From Canada, joined Feb 2000, 465 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (12 years 12 months 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1056 times:
Me, being only 14, I tend to ask after at least one meal is finsihed, then politley ask the purser or another attendant. Once you achieve the cockpit, name off every switch gauge and display you can, the pilots should be impressed, you can then ask to stay in for landing. Tell them youre an enthusiast or wanna be a pilot (like me). This has always worked with me on Air Canda flights. And if youre real lucky youll get in for take off! I was lucky enough to achieve this on the DND A310.
Good Luck!
Ake0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50 Reply 9, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
Depends what airline ? I.E Lufthansa, when I was younger I always would ask after the meal is over, b/c the flight crew always eat after the pax. During cruise that is your best bet......
Lately I have been asking when entering the aircraft, luckily I have been flying Business Class, F/A seem nicer than in coach......and a lot of times I have been able to be in the cockpit during take off, if that does not work due to rough weather etc....another chance is during cruise as the air normally is pretty smooth and the flight crew is not very busy............another example SQ .....I also asked the F/A for take off when entering the plane and she came back and said impossible due to take off prep. during cruise I was able to chat with the flight crew for 1 hour, and asked them if they had any problem me sitting in, during approach and touchdown and they had no problem...........so all in all it is up the flight crew. Btw all american airlines are not allowed to have visitor on the flight deck ( FAA regulation )
Akelley728 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 2101 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 989 times:
Actually, I was able to visit the cockpit on a Continental Express flight recently! But it was a Beech 1900, there was no F/A, so I just strode up to the front (cockpit door was open, wait, was there a cockpit door? I don't remember!) and started talking to the pilots. Unfortunately it was pretty late at night, so I couldn't see much, but it was still a thrill.
Motto of the story: you have a pretty good chance of going up front when you're on a commuter plane.
Jet Setter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 996 times:
Singapore Airlines no longer allow flighdeck visits while the plane is in motion - meaning all you'll get from them is a look at the flightdeck while the plane is parked at the gate - Great! NOT.
So thumbs down to Singapore Airlines - miserable sods
Ake0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50 Reply 12, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 988 times:
Jet Setter,
since when does SIA not lets u sit in the cockpit. that must have been a recent implementation as I was sitting on the flight deck JAN 2000 ( FRA - JFK ) , chatting with the pilots for 2 hours ( that was inflight )
VirginA340 From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 15 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 984 times:
I sat with the pilots of a Virgin 747-400. I was allowed to sit with the pilots and watch them land at LHR. On my flight back I got to watch the take-off at LHR and Landing at JFK on the same plane. I had asked the FA and she was nice enough to take me up to the flight deck after asking the pilot if it was OKed
VirginA340 From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 15 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 986 times:
I sat with the pilots of a Virgin 747-400. I was allowed to sit with the pilots and watch them land at LHR. On my flight back I got to watch the take-off at LHR and Landing at JFK on the same plane. I had asked the FA and she was nice enough to take me up to the flight deck after asking the pilot if it was OK.
AviationLawyer From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 29 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 951 times:
Has anyone tried with JetBlue? What was there response?
ZRH From Switzerland, joined Nov 1999, 5535 posts, RR: 40 Reply 16, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 952 times:
Last time on a SR flight to EWR (A 330-200) I asked the Maitre de Cabine (Purser). He told me to ask again after the meal. But then we had heavy turbulences for about a half an our and did not ask again. Suddenly the MC came to me and said: "I was looking for you, didn't you ask for visiting the flight deck? Please follow me." What a service!! I was only a normal economy passenger in full aircraft.
TriStar From Belgium, joined Oct 1999, 848 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 907 times:
Olympic A-340,
I can only confirm what most people have said in this thread; ask the cabin crew and they will go up to the flight deck and ask for you.
If you'd like to be regarded as a very rude character, take up DeltaMan's advice, by all means. In other words - don't. In my experience, cabin crew will go out of their way to make your flight as pleasant an experience as possible. If getting you to visit the cockpit will help reach that result, they will try their best to get you up front.
If you think trying to bypass anyone's authority is going to gain you any kind of sympathy however, I would say you're on the wrong track. Of course that's just my opinion. But a valid one, I dare say. I'm a cabin crew member myself, BTW.
I take it the A321 flights are medium haul in Europe. If so, don't wait too long to ask. Once service gets rolling, depending on how much time the cabin crew will have in flight, you'll be back on the ground before you know it. When you do ask before or during the service however (which is advisable even if it just were to let the crew know someone is interested in visiting the cockpit), just make sure to add "later on during the flight" to your request. Just a bit of practical advice there... Let them know you're not trying to stress them out.
Mark152 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (12 years 12 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 898 times:
The bast advice is to go to the top. Speak to the CSD or equivalent. Basically, the highest "ranked" person you can find. They have been in the business for years and will usually be very efficient at accomodating you. BTW i'm flying JMC on Friday, How long is the LGW-Athens flight? also whats the best time to go about requesting a visit on an early (very) morning flight?
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 780 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Canada, joined Feb 2000, 465 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Nov 1999, 5535 posts, 
From Belgium, joined Oct 1999, 848 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
