In an extraordinary effort to gain new perspectives and a deeper insight into the inner workings of his airline, Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa, made a bold decision. He decided to step out of the confines of his corner office, ditch his suit don his flight attendant uniform, and immerse himself in the dynamic and often underappreciated world of flight attendants. This unorthodox move by the CEO offered a unique and fascinating insight into the challenges and complexities of a job that is often overlooked by travelers who enjoy the comfort of air travel.
Jens Ritter’s transformation from CEO of a major airline to “extra crew member” on one of Lufthansa’s flights to Riyadh and Bahrain was not kept under wraps. Instead, he decided to share this extraordinary journey on his LinkedIn account, giving a detailed description of his adventure in the sky. Ritter, a seasoned professional with many years of experience in the Lufthansa Group, was candid about how this position as a flight attendant profoundly influenced his perception of the airline industry.
Describing his adventure as “another crew member” on a Lufthansa flight to Riyadh and Bahrain on his LinkedIn account, Ritter detailed his transition from a corner office to an airplane aisle. In his post, Ritter admitted that despite his many years of experience working in many capacities for the Lufthansa Group, being a cabin crew member was a particularly interesting experience.
“The adventure was amazing,” Ritter wrote. “I was amazed at how much organization needed to be done, especially when things didn’t go according to plan – for example, the meals offered on the menus were not exactly the meals loaded on board.”
While customers enjoy the comfort of air travel, flight attendants often work behind the scenes. Ritter was able to develop a new understanding of the careful planning and customization required to meet the varying needs of passengers at 33,000 feet above sea level as a result of his time as a flight attendant.
Ritter’s role-reversal experience made him aware of the nuances of personalized customer care, especially during long flights when biological clocks are thrown off. “Being present and attentive and charming — when your biological clock is telling you to sleep — was something else entirely,” Ritter acknowledged. He recalled his past experiences as a pilot and spoke of the special difficulties of night missions.
The flight attendants enthusiastically welcomed the CEO to their team and gave him the opportunity to provide direct assistance to both business and economy class passengers. Expressing his appreciation for the opportunity, Ritter acknowledged that his short time as a flight attendant taught him important lessons that influenced the way he made decisions in the boardroom.
Ritter admitted, “I was amazed at how much I learned in those short hours.” “Decision-making in the office will be different once decisions are thoroughly considered on board.”
Ritter recognized the need for change across the sector when he returned to his position as CEO. He admitted that issues including staff shortages, disrupted supply chains and aircraft availability were affecting the airline industry. Ritter is committed to addressing these issues to foster a work environment where airline employees feel noticed, valued, and psychologically safe.
Ritter acknowledged that the airline business faces many problems, including a shortage of workers, damaged supply lines, and a shortage of aircraft. “Their jobs would be a lot easier if we fixed that. However, I believe that everyone enjoys a job as long as they feel seen, valued, and mentally safe. Another thing I’m working so hard to improve on is this. “
Ritter’s first-hand experience as a flight attendant serves as a reminder that the people responsible for ensuring comfortable and safe air travel are working tirelessly behind the scenes at a time when the airline industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to global events. The CEO’s transition from the boardroom to the cubicle demonstrates his commitment to empathy and his willingness to face the harsh realities of his sector head-on.
In conclusion, Jens Ritter’s decision to step into the role of flight attendant for a short but enlightening period was an extraordinary undertaking that provided him with invaluable insight into the challenges and complexities of the aviation industry. This unconventional approach to gaining new perspectives underscores the importance of empathy, hands-on experience, and a commitment to solving industry-wide problems. As the aviation sector goes through turbulent times, leaders like Jens Ritter, who are willing to roll up their sleeves and join the frontline workforce, offer a glimmer of hope and a path to a more resilient and compassionate future for the industry.