Is there any truth in the belief that cabin crew serving the port side of the cabin (seats A, B, C, D or E) are "better" i.

Is there any truth in the belief that cabin crew serving the port side of the cabin (seats A, B, C, D or E) are "better" i.e more customer centric?

I'm normally quite agnostic but on reflection I have noticed, on the whole, the experience on the port side tends to be slightly better.

Is this all in my head or have others experienced the same?

Never thought about it before, but the port side of the plane gets served first (assuming a single aisled cabin) - first to get coat taken, first to be offered pre-take off drink, first to have meal selection, first to be offered IFE, Etc. The lionshare of my travels in single aisled cabins are at the front of the plane with VA and QF, and I've never experienced service starting from the starboard side. Perhaps the enthusiasm wanes progressively as they work from port to starboard? ;)

port v starboard = left v right, ie crew serving the left aisle v crew serving the right aisle ( twin aisle aircraft), or same crew serving left side row of seats and right side row of seats (single aisle aircraft)....i'm assuming TRB is referring to a twin aisle aircraft.. ie one 'set' of crew serving the left side of seats and another 'set' of crew serving the right... based on the fact that various mixes of crews operate various mixes of flights over various sectors/days/routes etc, the 'belief' is nigh impossible to be relative to your experiences..it's purely coincidental

TRB that is most interesting because in my head, it always seems to be the starboard side that gets the better serivce!

I normally always sit on the port side (not for any specific reason) and I'm sure it's all down to luck and crew ability on the day. Although, if I'm wanting to go to sleep or I'm in a bad mood, the other side always seems to be served more quickly! One example will always stick out for me:

On an etihad flight MEL-AUH, I was travelling with my wife in the centre seat pair E&F. I was in E, and the service on the port side was almost comically slow and unorganised. The starboard attendent, who had pretty much completed service by now, ended up serving my meal from his side (very apologetically), whilst the port side were still mucking around halfway up the cabin....

So i guess sometimes it can happen, but beyond that, its all in our heads, surely?!

Interesting ...

Maybe there's a PhD in this for somebody

ANOTHER 'PhD' for those who 'study' humans ..lol 

This is a great question! I'd never really thought about it until now. 

I often sit in an A seat and yes, the service has always been great. I also like to sit in K, but the service seems just as good. I travelled in A suites on my recent trip and the crew were incredibly attentive and responsive. Plus they were well groomed. I'm not quite sure how they stay looking so good after such long flights. I want their secret. 

The crew on my EY and EK flights have always been polite and have never got an order for drinks or food wrong. I'm not sure I could stay so outwardly happy for so long! Especially with some of the rude people encountered on flights. I wonder if a rude passenger will affect the frequency of attendants down a particular aisle or section of a flight? I'm sure it must in some circumstances. 

I think it's an insight into the minds of those who experience this ' phenomenom'

+1

On QF transcontinental flights on the A330 services the CSM normal serves on the left hand side.

I would say it is complete luck of the draw on which crew member is serving you, their mood that day (i.e. if they've come off a trip of all min rests and are fatigured) and if you are generally nice to them.