Even the old Soviet Aeroflot had occasional human moments (Aeroflot official: No one wants overweight crew, 26 April). One of the most eloquent and, indeed, elegant flight attendants I have ever seen was on an Aeroflot flight from Tashkent to Leningrad in the 1980s. A tall, dignified, central Asian woman, she had conformed to Aeroflot stereotype by appearing impassive as she went about her work. As the plane made its approach to Leningrad airport, she was faced with a group of noisy, elderly American tourists who were ignoring the seatbelt signs. At one point she looked across at my wife and me and raised one eyebrow a couple of millimetres. It said more than words ever could and I have remembered it for 30 years.

Rev Dr Peter Phillips

Swansea

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