Flight LX 138, Zurich to HK, 17 Oct. 2009 Seat 26E
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 (Swiss Air 111 may have crashed in 1998 in part because of the faulty entertainment system wiring and circuit breakers), 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. Bill Brown
Flight LX 138, Zurich to HK, 17 Oct. 2009 Seat 26E
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Couple years ago, a Swiss air MD80 crashed in Nova Scotia, Canada because of an electrical problem.
I also ha major, insulting, offensing and very critical problems with Swiss air staff recently which situation will be placed on all web sites soon.