Comments on: What can Tony Fernandes of AirAsia teach US airline executives? Servant leadership. http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/ Helping airlines & airports engage travelers, profitably Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:02:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Skiing Goggles http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-3210 Skiing Goggles Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:18:23 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-3210 nice nice

]]> By: Bruce Sweigert http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-3134 Bruce Sweigert Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:58:55 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-3134 Back in the days of the ESOP, I spent a few days in China with then CEO Gerald Greenwald. When he was boarding the plane back to the US, the front cabin was overbooked and he volunteered to sit in economy to make room for the revenue passengers. The Chinese staff were flustered and wondered how they could possibly let the CEO sit in the back. The station manager had to convince them that it was OK and Greenwald ended up sitting in the back. At that time, the boarding priority for a company officer was higher than any customer and he had the right to keep his seat. It was a small gesture (and the right thing for the company), but it is something that did not always happen in those days. Back in the days of the ESOP, I spent a few days in China with then CEO Gerald Greenwald. When he was boarding the plane back to the US, the front cabin was overbooked and he volunteered to sit in economy to make room for the revenue passengers. The Chinese staff were flustered and wondered how they could possibly let the CEO sit in the back. The station manager had to convince them that it was OK and Greenwald ended up sitting in the back. At that time, the boarding priority for a company officer was higher than any customer and he had the right to keep his seat. It was a small gesture (and the right thing for the company), but it is something that did not always happen in those days.

]]> By: Bruce Sweigert http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-2724 Bruce Sweigert Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:58:55 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-2724 Back in the days of the ESOP, I spent a few days in China with then CEO Gerald Greenwald. When he was boarding the plane back to the US, the front cabin was overbooked and he volunteered to sit in economy to make room for the revenue passengers. The Chinese staff were flustered and wondered how they could possibly let the CEO sit in the back. The station manager had to convince them that it was OK and Greenwald ended up sitting in the back. At that time, the boarding priority for a company officer was higher than any customer and he had the right to keep his seat. It was a small gesture (and the right thing for the company), but it is something that did not always happen in those days. Back in the days of the ESOP, I spent a few days in China with then CEO Gerald Greenwald. When he was boarding the plane back to the US, the front cabin was overbooked and he volunteered to sit in economy to make room for the revenue passengers. The Chinese staff were flustered and wondered how they could possibly let the CEO sit in the back. The station manager had to convince them that it was OK and Greenwald ended up sitting in the back. At that time, the boarding priority for a company officer was higher than any customer and he had the right to keep his seat. It was a small gesture (and the right thing for the company), but it is something that did not always happen in those days.

]]> By: ajun http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1853 ajun Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:18:31 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1853 do you have any history about air asia open sky policy? do you have any history about air asia open sky policy?

]]> By: Steven Frischling http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1719 Steven Frischling Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:42:56 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1719 Shashank, Tony Fernandes is a wise man and I think he has much he can offer the industry. Back in February I wrote an article on Flying With Fish ( http://www.flyingwithfish.com ) entitled: "What Would You Do If You Ran The Airline?" which can be read here: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/02/11/what-would-you-do-if-you-ran-the-airline/ #7 in my list was corporate culture, which stated that all management must go ut and work in the field to get the perspective of those they are managing. With many airlines having a great divide between management and labour , there needs to be a greater understanding of each job that is performed and how it is vital to the airline. Look past United's issues, I think this policy may go further with airlines on the brink of disaster, such as Alitalia. Happy Flying! Steven Frischling Founder The Travel Strategist Web: http://www.thetravelstrategist.com Blog: http://www.flyingwithfish.com Twit: http://www.twitter.com/flyingwithfish Shashank,

Tony Fernandes is a wise man and I think he has much he can offer the industry.

Back in February I wrote an article on Flying With Fish ( http://www.flyingwithfish.com ) entitled: “What Would You Do If You Ran The Airline?” which can be read here:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/02/11/what-would-you-do-if-you-ran-the-airline/

#7 in my list was corporate culture, which stated that all management must go ut and work in the field to get the perspective of those they are managing. With many airlines having a great divide between management and labour , there needs to be a greater understanding of each job that is performed and how it is vital to the airline.

Look past United’s issues, I think this policy may go further with airlines on the brink of disaster, such as Alitalia.

Happy Flying!

Steven Frischling
Founder
The Travel Strategist
Web: http://www.thetravelstrategist.com
Blog: http://www.flyingwithfish.com
Twit: http://www.twitter.com/flyingwithfish

]]> By: Samuel J Gamaliel http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Samuel J Gamaliel Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:40:12 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1555 I think, the servant Leadership model of Tony has already made the employees to work with same culture. When the top brass practices what he preaches, it is not much difficult to make the turn around in the operations of the organization. Tony's efforts are appreciated and certainily an inspiration to others too @ this time of economic recession. I think, the servant Leadership model of Tony has already made the employees to work with same culture. When the top brass practices what he preaches, it is not much difficult to make the turn around in the operations of the organization. Tony’s efforts are appreciated and certainily an inspiration to others too @ this time of economic recession.

]]> By: Guy Lean http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1549 Guy Lean Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:28:18 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1549 I was at school with Tony and played Hockey together, i can tell you he is focused and down to earth. He is a true leader i am sure he will be a leadership style to follow in the future I was at school with Tony and played Hockey together, i can tell you he is focused and down to earth. He is a true leader i am sure he will be a leadership style to follow in the future

]]> By: Kieran Maloney http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1548 Kieran Maloney Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:27:51 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1548 Interesting. I worked for a car rental company for fourteen, fifteen years and one of the attractive ideas was "visible management". Head quarters staff spent a week each year on "front line" duties, meeting staff and customers. It is very helpful in ensuring that management can stay "grounded" in the reality of what their employees do and what their customers experience. One concern that managers have is that they won't be able to "do" the front line job and their credibility will suffer. My experience was that front line employees were generous in their understanding and enjoyed showing management how they do their jobs. Well done Tony Fernandes. Interesting. I worked for a car rental company for fourteen, fifteen years and one of the attractive ideas was “visible management”. Head quarters staff spent a week each year on “front line” duties, meeting staff and customers. It is very helpful in ensuring that management can stay “grounded” in the reality of what their employees do and what their customers experience.
One concern that managers have is that they won’t be able to “do” the front line job and their credibility will suffer. My experience was that front line employees were generous in their understanding and enjoyed showing management how they do their jobs.
Well done Tony Fernandes.

]]> By: David Bentley http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1546 David Bentley Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:22:43 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1546 Ryanair's Mr O'Leary certainly has spent time as a check-in clerk on an occasional roster basis and possibly as cabin crew and baggage handler as well. Unfortunately, I don't think it helped him understand either the staff or the customers. There's scant evidence of that. At the end of the day you are what you are. I hope it works for Mr Fernandes. Ryanair’s Mr O’Leary certainly has spent time as a check-in clerk on an occasional roster basis and possibly as cabin crew and baggage handler as well.
Unfortunately, I don’t think it helped him understand either the staff or the customers. There’s scant evidence of that. At the end of the day you are what you are.
I hope it works for Mr Fernandes.

]]> By: Shashank Nigam http://simpliflying.com/2009/what-can-tony-fernandes-of-airasia-teach-us-airline-executives-servant-leadership/comment-page-1/#comment-1540 Shashank Nigam Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:10:44 +0000 http://simpliflying.com/?p=1052#comment-1540 @Alan: You have it absolutely right - it all starts with the employees, because they're the ones interacting with the customers at every touchpoint. And as you mentioned, another airline that does it very well is Southwest. http://simpliflying.com/tag/southwest-airlines/ @Alan: You have it absolutely right – it all starts with the employees, because they’re the ones interacting with the customers at every touchpoint. And as you mentioned, another airline that does it very well is Southwest. http://simpliflying.com/tag/southwest-airlines/

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