Trolley
The wheeled galley cart crew push through the aisle for meals, bar and duty-free — heavy, braked and the source of most crew back injuries.
Definition
A trolley is the standard aluminium service cart that slots into galley stowages and is wheeled down the aisle for meal, drinks and sales services. Full-size and half-size carts follow common industry standards so caterers can load them at any airport, and each has a foot brake, a locking door and slots for hot or cold inserts. The word 'cart' is used in North America; almost everywhere else crew say trolley.
What it means for you
The trolley run is the rhythm of an economy service, and the brake is your first safety item: an unbraked trolley in turbulence is a missile, and stowing every cart before the cabin is secured is a hard rule. A loaded full-size trolley weighs about as much as an adult, so posture, footwear and using your legs matter — trolley-related back and shoulder strain is the classic cabin crew occupational injury. On low-cost carriers the trolley is also your shop, and your commission.
In practice
On a Wizz Air four-sector day the same crew push a buy-on-board trolley through a full A321 four times, with the takings counted and reconciled at each turnaround.
Related terms
4 terms- GalleyAircraft & cabinThe aircraft's kitchen and service preparation area, and by extension the working position of the crew member who runs it.
- AisleAircraft & cabinThe passage between seat rows where service and passenger movement happen — one on a narrow-body, two on a wide-body.
- TurbulenceSafety & trainingIrregular air movement that shakes the aircraft — the leading cause of in-flight injury, mostly to unbelted passengers and working crew.
- Economy classAircraft & cabinThe largest and cheapest cabin on the aircraft, worked at the highest passengers-per-crew ratio and the fastest service pace.