Airline Crew
Despite not having enough sleep or missing some important events like your dad's birthday, a friend's wedding or new year's celebrations, these airline crew members enjoy the perks of working in the Aviation industry. Meeting new people everyday, staying in 5 star hotels and enjoying discounted tickets (and did I mention seeing the world for free?) are a few of the many reasons their jobs are just awesome! They've traveled the world and now they share with us their top 3 favorite destinations and what they want to do next after flying.
(Jamee along Rue de l'Abreuvoir in Montmartre, Paris)
Jamee, 32
Philippines
Qatar Airways
3 1/2 years
Top 3 Destinations:
Paris, France for shopping
Barcelona, Spain for culture
Miami, USA for the arts
One more please! Japan for food
Next career after flying:
Professional Artist/Designer. Produce an exhibit, launch a clothing or home label and have my own studio.
Aline, 33
Brazil
Emirates Airline
7 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Sydney, Australia
Tokyo, Japan
Rome, Italy
Next career after flying:
Hotel or anything related to hospitality.
(Art in Vineyard Oval Market, Cape Town, South Africa)
Art, 29
Singapore
Qatar Airways
6 1/2 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Cape Town, South Africa
Berlin, Germany
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Next career after flying:
Café Owner
(Stephanie by Vltava River, Prague, Czech Republic)
Steph, 30
Philippines
Emirates Airlines
10 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Paris, France
Prague, Czech Republic
New York, USA
Next career after flying:
Make up Artist
(Jeev in Con Dao, Southeast region of Vietnam)
Jeevan, 35
India
Emirates Airlines
11 Years - Purser
Top 3 Destinations:
New York, USA
Bali, Indonesia
Lisbon, Portugal
Next career after flying:
Training and developing people in the aviation industry.
(Erica in Sand Dunes of Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Erica, 29
Philippines
Philippine Airlines
9 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Honolulu, Hawaii
London, UK
New York, USA
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Next career after flying:
Still very happy with flying!
(Danne in Sydney, Australia)
Danne, 31
Philippines
Norwegian Air
12 Years (Flew with different airlines- Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, Cathay Pacific and currently with Norwegian Air)
Top 3 Destinations:
This is a very hard question to answer since I really have so many top favorite destinations. I'm going to answer the first 3 that comes to mind:
Male, Maldives
New Zealand
Switzerland
Next career after flying:
I would love to work as a flight instructor someday.
Krizka, 31
Philippines
Qatar Airways
5 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
London, UK - because it was love at first sight. Old world-meets-modern-day city. I've been in love with anything British since.
Zanzibar, Tanzania - If you're from the Philippines, you have the bar set high for beaches, right? This place is super underrated, ang ganda! (so pretty!)
Osaka, Japan - Who wouldn't love Japan? Disciplined people, FOOD, and heated toilet seats.
Next career after flying:
Most probably business, but I would also love to be a full-time mom. haha!
(Rico in Mt. Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar)
Rico, 29
Philippines
Qatar Airways
5 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Yangon, Myanmar - This place is so majestic. It has so much history and it's really different just being able to see it and touch it!
Cairo, Egypt - The scientific and structural birth of ancient engineering.
Venice, Italy - It's a marvellous city along with the religion that revolves around it.
Next career after flying:
I am going to develop our farm and open a micro business which is related to agriculture.
Bianca, 31
Philippines
Etihad Airways
8 Years - Cabin Manager and Safety Trainer
Top 3 Destinations:
Paris, France
Firenze, Italy
Palawan, Philippines
Next career after flying:
That hasn't crossed my mind at the moment, but it would either be within the aviation/training or completely out of it. Definitely, concentrate on family life.
(Breezeley in Male, Maldives)
Breezely, 29
Philippines
Qatar Airways
5 1/2 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Paris, France
Maldives, Male
New York, USA
Next career after flying:
Airline ground staff probably in Frankfurt or wherever my hopefully husband will be.
(Celeste in Zurich, Switzerland)
Celeste, 29
Philippines
Qatar Airways
3 1/2 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
I found I am always surprised by most of each destination I visit because of the experience I take away from it, and more often than not, the best times I have are from the unlikeliest places! Coming up with just 3 favorites is near to impossible, I mean, where do I even start? There's just no fair criteria for this but here are the ones that stand out at best:
Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich is one of those that possess layers of almost everything nice. You have this city with amazing food and shopping, a lake with a view of its surrounding mountains, and then you have the slopes for skiing! Zurich is really glorious all year round. To walk in the labyrinth streets of this city, go out for Swiss raclette and wine, do a bit of shopping before finally sitting by the lake with a warm churro in hand is really all I need in life.
Italy, Rome - Honestly the most beautiful city I've ever been to. It's surreal to go to a place where you know significant history was made, and to be able to stand within it and touch it is an experience that just washes over you like nothing else. Also, gelato.
Capetown, South Africa - Again, the layers. The landscape in itself is so diverse and so astonishing that looking out at it takes a full minute before it can even begin to sink in. And then there's the city's history and the people who live in it. The contrast is just undeniable. It's almost kind of unfair that there's a place that has practically everything, even the weather.
Next career after flying:
I'm a bit of a Jack-of-all-trade since I was little — always curious and wanting to try and do everything. Entrepreneurship, property investments, and market trading are a few things that I consider and would like to do eventually down the road. As for my next career though, I don't really have a definite plan... yet! Perhaps I'd like to stick to aviation for a bit longer. It may sound like a very nonchalant approach but I realize winging the very present and riding the current to where it leads you just kind of always worked in my favour. So, I think I'll let the future surprise me.
(Abby in One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai)
Abigail, 31
Philippines
Fly Dubai Airlines
7 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
New York, USA - I like New York because I get to see my family and I just have a good time with them. Whether it's a family gathering, shopping, people watching, plain walking and hunting the Halal guys it's all an adventure!
Seoul, Korea and anywhere in Japan - It's all about the FOOD! - Everything is inviting, full of flavor and their place is amazingly clean and organized!
Next career after flying:
To have my own retail clothing shop or Café with lots of books, art and music that shows or reflects the places I've been.
(Macy in Port Launay Beach, Seychelles, Africa)
Macy, 29
Philippines
Saudia Airlines
4 Years (Used to fly for Royal Brunei and Qatar Airways)
Top 3 Destinations:
Seychelles, Africa - because I love the beach!
Rome, Italy - Its rich culture.
Tokyo, Japan - I'm an avid fan of Japanese food!
Next career after flying:
Who knows? I'm so passionate about flying.
Kathryn, 31
Philippines
Oman Air
7 1/2 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Milan, Italy
Bangkok, Thailand
Munich, Germany
Next career after flying:
I'm actually trying to figure that out now. I'm currently taking up a short course in Nutrition. But if not, then something definitely related to healthcare since that is my Bachelor's Degree.
(Jacqueline in front of Duomo di Milano in Milan, Italy)
Jacqueline, 31
Bolivia
Currently training as a pilot
6 1/2 Years
(Used to be a cabin crew for Aerosur and Qatar Airways)
Top 3 Destinations:
Verona, Italy
Dubai, UAE
Johannesburg, South Africa
Next career after flying:
Pilot
(Juvi with Johnny Depp's wax figure in Los Angeles)
Juvi, 36
Philippines
Emirates Airline
8 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Sightseeing, Food and Shopping in these destinations:
New York, USA
Los Angeles,USA
Bangkok, Thailand
Next career after flying:
Be an Entrepreneur
(Dari in Paris, France)
Dari, 29
Philippines
Qatar Airways
7 1/2 Years
Top 3 Destinations:
Paris, France - You always feel the love vibes even when you are single or broken-hearted.
Rome, Italy - The nooks and crannies were full of history. Plus the authentic cuisine!
Osaka, Japan - Embodies a rich asian culture. So much scenery. I'm always amazed with the Japanese people. I just fell in love with Japan as a whole.
Next career after flying:
Hopefully, I can put up a business of my own. Or head to Canada or Australia.
(Toni in Petra, Jordan)
Toni Rose,34
Philippines
Qatar Airways
8 years
Top 3 Destinations:
Anywhere in Japan -because I love the food and there are so many places to see and a lot of things to do!
Petra, Jordan - It is different from all Arabic countries. They are more modern and people are very friendly. Maybe its because I am a foreigner. I don't know haha! and I learned how to appreciate Arabic food here.
Marrakesh, Morocco - because the place is so colorful, people are friendly as well and food is amazing.
Next career after flying:
It would still be in the aviation industry for sure. I would like to be involved in recruitment. Then, I want to have kids and be a full time mommy!
(Syne in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan)
Synephrine Audrey, 28
That 5 star airline in the Middle East
7 years
(A year in Cebu Pacific, a year in Tiger Philippines and currently on my 5th year in that 5 star airline)
Top 3 Destinations:
I love every destination that I visited but when asked for my favorites, these immediately came into my mind. Probably clichés but its also no surprise they are on everyone’s list of places to visit. Their food, their culture, their way of life, everything is just so unique to them. In no particular order, these are my top 3 destinations:
Italy - I know I’m cheating by giving the whole country as one of my favorites but every city and town here found their way into my heart. From the colorful houses of Burano to the cobbled streets of Rome, there’s not a corner in Italy that failed to mesmerize me. Fresh, good food is not hard to find (Pizza, pasta and gelato are literally everywhere). You can never go wrong with their wines too! With so much charm from its history, arts and ruins, the reasons why I love this country are just endless.
Japan - Sushi would probably be the first thing on most minds if you tell them Japan. Then there’s my never ending list of geisha, samurai, ninja, anime & manga, cherry blossoms, godzilla, video games, state-of-the-art technology, earthquake, J-pop/rock, green tea, hilarious game shows, Daiso, and of course Hello Kitty. (Enough said.) But above all these things, my favorite would be their humble people who always seem to treat everyone with an over- the-top politeness as a result perhaps of a culture driven by respect, honor and humility.
New York - I wonder if there is any person who was not captivated when they first arrived in the Big Apple? “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of” pretty much says it all. There is so much going on in this city, it would be impossible to put down each and every detail. What I love the most however is that this city is probably the most recognizable pop-culture reference point. Several books, songs, superheroes, tv shows and movies that I’ve read, sung or watched are based here. I may be a stranger when I'm there but somehow, in a sense, it feels like home.
Next career after flying:
I can't imagine my life after flying. Somehow in my heart, this is what I want to do for as long as I can. Letting go of the job that had contributed to who I am now and what I have in my life, is not an easy decision. But when the time comes that I have to be grounded for good, I picture myself still working in the airline industry. Probably a management position, an instructor or any job that is somehow still connected to this field.
(Gaile in Cappadocia, Turkey)
Gaile, 29
Philippines
Qatar Airways
4 Years
(1 year in Air Philippines and 3 Years in Qatar Airways)
Top 3 Destinations:
I love these destinations because of it's breathtaking view, plus good food and nice people.
Barcelona, Spain
Tbilisi, Georgia
Cappadocia, Turkey
Next career after flying:
Back to nursing career.
