Once the aircraft leveled off at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, the familiar double-chime rang through the cabin, signaling that the seatbelt sign had been turned off. Leo unbuckled his harness, set down his tablet, and walked casually into the primary forward galley. Sarah was already busy preparing the initial first-class service, unlatching meal carts and arranging glassware.
Mounted directly on the bulkhead wall beside her was the master Flight Attendant Panel—a sophisticated touchscreen hub that controlled the entire aircraft’s cabin environment. “Did our lovely guests lock themselves away from the rest of the world?” Leo asked, pouring himself a hot cup of black coffee from the pot. Sarah chuckled, pointing at the glowing digital display. “The second we took off, Julian slammed that door shut. They haven’t opened it since.”