Final answer:
The first Flight Attendant to an aircraft with a non-active In-Flight Entertainment system should report the issue to maintenance to ensure it is resolved by qualified personnel and to avoid any impact on passenger satisfaction or further technical issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are the first Flight Attendant (FA) to the aircraft and discover that the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system is not active, the appropriate course of action would be Option 4: Report the issue to maintenance. It is important for FAs to ensure that all systems are functioning correctly prior to departure for the comfort and safety of the passengers. Attempting to activate the system without proper clearance or leaving it unaddressed may lead to further delays or operational issues.
Option 1, waiting for the pilots to activate it, could result in unnecessary delays if the pilots are unaware of the issue, whereas Option 2, attempting to activate it using available controls, could potentially interfere with pre-flight procedures or cause additional malfunctions if done incorrectly. Option 3, ignoring it until instructed by the pilots, is not advisable as it could impact passenger satisfaction and it is the responsibility of the cabin crew to report any irregularities. Therefore, promptly reporting to maintenance ensures that any technical issues are resolved by qualified personnel and that the aircraft is ready for a pleasant flying experience for the passengers.