B747-400
Flight Attendant Current
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Aircraft
[I] was told that there were cabin lighting problems during our briefing. But when we got on the plane the Mechanic was not just trying to fix the lighting but also the PA system and interphones. The PA and interphone were still not working at my jumpseat after the door was closed. I informed the Purser immediately but we still took off without the PA system and interphones on doors 2L/R; 3L/R and 4L/R. We lost almost 50% of PA system and interphones for 15 hour flight and nobody mentioned any other communication method regarding emergency procedures.
After discovering the interphone and PA were not working from several locations; when the safety demo was finished and we were still taxiing; I immediately informed the cockpit of the problem and awaited their instructions. They did not call back during our taxi or after takeoff so I assumed the problem was not a 'no-go item.'Nonetheless; after we had completed the first service I called the cockpit for confirmation. The Captain informed me that they had checked and that it was OK to proceed with the flight. He said nothing else regarding the problem.
Flight attendants aboard a B747-400 notified the flight crew of inoperative cabin PA and interphone handsets at several doors during taxi for takeoff. Only after takeoff and the initial food service were the flight attendants advised that the inoperative handsets were deferable and that notification occurred only because flight attendants took the initiative to call and ask.