Airline Crew

Teng Balili Ongpin
Dec 3, 2016
8 min read

Updated: Oct 31, 2021

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, 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.

(Jamee along Rue de l'Abreuvoir in Montmartre, Paris)

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, 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

(Art in Vineyard Oval Market, Cape Town, South Africa)

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

(Stephanie by Vltava River, Prague, Czech Republic)

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.

(Jeev in Con Dao, Southeast region of Vietnam)

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!

(Erica in Sand Dunes of Abu Dhabi, UAE)

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.

(Danne in Sydney, Australia)

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, 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 marvelous 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.

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.

(Breezeley in Male, Maldives)

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.

(Celeste in Zurich, Switzerland)

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.

(Abby in One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai)

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.

(Macy in Port Launay Beach, Seychelles, Africa)

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, 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

(Jacqueline in front of Duomo di Milano in Milan, Italy)

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

(Juvi with Johnny Depp's wax figure in Los Angeles)

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.

(Dari in Paris, France)

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!

(Toni in Petra, Jordan)

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.

(Syne in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan)