Home

  /  

Travel

  /  

KLM CEO Turns Cabin Crew For A Day, Serves Meals & Hot Towels On Johannesburg Flight

KLM CEO Marjan Rintel joined the cabin crew on a Johannesburg-bound flight to serve meals, interact with passengers and test new onboard dining options.

by Tashika Tyagi
KLM CEO Turns Cabin Crew For A Day, Serves Meals & Hot Towels On Johannesburg Flight
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/klm

Ever wondered what happens when an airline CEO swaps boardroom meetings for the cabin aisle? Well, KLM CEO Marjan Rintel gave passengers a glimpse of exactly that when she joined the cabin crew on a flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. Instead of overseeing operations from an office, she was busy serving meals, checking on passengers and helping keep the cabin spick and span!

KLM Airline CEO Work Alongside Cabin Crew

A video shared by KLM on Instagram shows Marjan Rintel working alongside the cabin crew, asking passengers about their meal preferences, serving food and collecting rubbish. And no, this wasn’t just a surprise shift for fun. The CEO was on board to experience the airline’s service first-hand while it tested new meal options and ways of working on long-haul flights.

Her stint on the flight was part of KLM’s efforts to test its new catering options and gather feedback from passengers. She spoke to travellers about their experience and what they thought of the meals, giving the airline an opportunity to hear directly from the people using its services.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (@klm)

According to Luchtvaartnieuws, a Dutch aviation news outlet, the flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER. This wasn’t the first time Rintel had stepped into the role, either. She had previously joined the cabin crew on a flight to Los Angeles to get a better understanding of their work.

Marjan Rintel has described the role as both rewarding and challenging, praising the dedication and professionalism of the crew. She also acknowledged that passengers often feel welcome and at home as soon as they board, thanks to the people working in the cabin.

Also Read: India Has 66 Airports Under Development; Eyes 115 Airlines Across 55 Countries For Connectivity

Internet Applauds The CEO’s Move

The video has drawn praise on social media, with users appreciating KLM airline CEO’s decision to work alongside employees and experience their responsibilities first-hand. Some even suggested that more CEOs should do the same to understand the challenges their teams face every day.

And honestly, there’s something refreshing about seeing a top executive step away from the boardroom to understand what happens on the front lines.

For KLM, the experience also offers a practical way to test proposed changes to its onboard service. The airline has not yet specified when these changes will be introduced.

Also Read: Three Siblings Spot Rahul Dravid On IndiGo Flight, Get His Autograph & Call Him Sweet

So, the next time you see a cabin crew member checking meal preferences or clearing trays mid-flight, remember that there’s a lot more to the job than meets the eye.

Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/klm

FAQs

Who is the CEO of KLM?

Marjan Rintel is the CEO and president of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Why did the KLM CEO work alongside cabin crew?

She joined cabin crew to experience their responsibilities first-hand, interact with passengers and gather feedback on the airline's onboard services.

Why is the role of cabin crew important during a flight?

Cabin crew members look after passenger comfort, serve meals, respond to requests and help maintain safety and order throughout the journey.

Tashika Tyagi | Sub-Editor

Tashika Tyagi is a Sub-Editor at Curly Tales with 8 years of experience covering food, travel, lifestyle, fashion, entertainment, and pop culture. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from IMS, Noida. When she’s not scouting new places to eat or explore, you’ll find her experimenting with Instagram recipes in the kitchen or happily binge-watching a K-drama.

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
First Published: October 26, 2026 2:47 PM