KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will phase in a new meal service concept in its economy-class cabins for intercontinental flights, as it cuts the number of cabin crew on many routes. A new collective labour agreement for KLM’s flight attendants includes a clause that one fewer crewmember will be assigned to many intercontinental flights. This has led the airline to look at ways of making service in the economy-class cabin more efficient. The move follows the recent announcement of refurbished KLM Airbus long-haul cabins. At the start of an intercontinental flight, economy-class passengers will receive a bottle of water, a refreshing towel and earphones. After this initial service, they will be offered an extended choice of meals on flights out of Amsterdam. Intercontinental flights will be subdivided into daytime and night-time flights, but also into short-, medium- and long-range intercontinental routes. The overall service will be adjusted per zone, so that it coincides as closely as practicable with passengers’ biorhythms, the airline said.<br/>
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Federal prosecutors say a flight attendant for a Chinese airline has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle nearly two-dozen spotted and box turtles in a carry-on bag from Los Angeles to China. The US Attorney’s Office says Huaqian Qu, a Chinese national, entered his plea Thursday to a charge of conspiracy. He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced July 23. Officials say Qu and a fellow flight crew member with China Eastern Airlines tried to unlawfully export a total of 45 turtles that are protected under international trade law. The turtles could have been worth more than US$40,000 in Asia. City News Service says the co-defendant is expected to plead guilty on Friday.<br/>
Delta added further restrictions to its updated support animal policy when it announced Wednesday that "pit bull type dogs" will no longer be accepted as service or emotional support animals to accompany owners on flights. The policy change includes limiting one emotional support animal per customer. The changes go into effect July 10. The announcement comes on the heels of a number of incidents regarding defecation and urination by animals on Delta planes, and complaints by Delta flight attendants of being bitten by pit bulls. According to Delta, there has been an 84% increase in such incidents involving emotional support dogs since June 2016. "The safety and security of Delta people and our customers is always our top priority," said Gil West, COO. "We will always review and enhance our policies and procedures to ensure that Delta remains a leader in safety."<br/>