A Nigerian passenger has openly expressed astonishment—not over a flight delay or poor service, but over an exceptional, near-perfect experience aboard Arik Air Flight 724 from Lagos to Abuja on Thursday, June 12.
The flight, operated by Captain Olajide and his team, took off at 10:40 a.m. and landed at 11:55 a.m., precisely on schedule. For the passenger, who was traveling to participate in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections, the journey was flawless.
“I can’t believe what Arik did,” he said emotionally. “From the captain to the cabin crew, everybody was 100% excellent. Everything—from boarding to takeoff to landing—was smooth, timely, and professionally handled.”
The customer, whose ticket number was 7252107659077, described the atmosphere onboard as calm, clean, and courteous—crediting the well-organized boarding process, friendly attendants, and attention to detail that made the experience feel “world-class.”
“It is not all the time that we should criticize. When people do good things, we need to celebrate them. We can’t keep criticizing our airline system—something good is still here,” he said.
He added that the cabin ambience, prompt updates, and the crew’s genuine hospitality reminded him of what Nigeria’s aviation can truly offer when done right. “The aircraft was well-maintained, announcements were clear, and the crew treated everyone with respect. It felt like flying with international standards.”
A New Chapter for Arik?
Once known for its dominant presence in West Africa and considered Nigeria’s flagship carrier, Arik Air has faced ups and downs in recent years. However, experiences like this show that the airline is not just surviving—but striving for excellence.
“This flight reminded me that Arik Air still has greatness in its DNA. If they keep this up, people will come back in numbers.”
While Arik Air has yet to formally respond to the commendation, observers say stories like this are what the industry needs—proof that positive change is happening, and that professionalism, punctuality, and pride in service can still define air travel in Nigeria.
