‘I became a BA flight attendant in my 50s. It's not the high life despite the perks'

Telegraph

27-05-2025

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When I graduated with my British Airways wings, it was a huge moment. At 50, I was starting again. My business and my investments had collapsed; I'd lost everything. I had £12 in my bank account. So I just wanted to get back in the saddle with something straightforward, with the added bonus of getting to visit friends and family all around the world.
Very quickly, I learnt that the most important thing in this job is having the patience of a saint. The most testing passengers are often in Premium Economy; they think they're in Business Class. The other serial offenders are those flying Club for work, dining out on the company credit card. They think they're gods.
One time, a man boarded in a foul mood because of a last-minute aircraft change. His seat had been moved, he had no legroom, and he was effing and blinding. I could have ignored him – I wanted to – but I thought, let me try to help.
I found him an exit row seat with an empty seat next to him. He totally changed. From then on, he couldn't have been nicer. It reminded me that the test is how you respond as a customer service professional. Sometimes, you just have to take it on the chin, no matter how bitter the pill is to swallow.
'Yes, there are shocking toilet moments'
And yes, there are some moments which are shocking. In the toilets, I've seen piles of human excrement in the sink, and on the floor. I've walked in on more than one little old lady because they didn't know how to lock the door.
Of course, it's not all awful. Most passengers are lovely. Many come on with gifts. Sometimes it's Smarties, sometimes Starbucks cards. Most are hoping for an upgrade, but still, it's kind. I get a lot of joy from making someone laugh, getting a heartfelt thank you, or finding a connection with my passengers and hearing about their lives.
Once you've finished training, everyone starts off working in Economy and Premium. Normally, you'll spend six months there before doing an extra few training days for Business (Club) Class. You can then apply to work up in First.
Personally, I think there should be more training for that, given the amount those seats cost. Passengers are expecting top-tier service. They want their crew to be able to recommend a wine, or even just to know how to open a bottle of wine! When a passenger is spending that kind of money, I think they're expecting just a little bit more – although our training on safety is well above par.
I think there's this fantasy around cabin crew that it's all glamour and jet-setting. People see us striding through airports in our uniforms, little wheelie bags, off to Tokyo or New York, staying in the same hotels as the pilots. That part is glamorous, polished and proud.
But then you get onboard and it's sleeves up. You're counting meals, checking safety equipment, strapping on your pinafore and setting up the bar. Then it's drinks service, turbulence, more drinks, someone tapping your lower back asking for another gin and tonic. I'm there thinking, 'I've still got ten rows to do'. It's exhausting.
'I had a colleague who took her own air fryer to save money'
When you're abroad you usually get a daily stipend, which if you don't spend, you can pocket (it's also tax-free). Ideally, breakfast will be free at the hotel too, so you tend to get a little bonus there. The expenses amount is generally the same for pilots and crew.
Some air stewards are also savvy at picking routes where their allowances are more generous, and avoid places where it means you can only eat street food. But most of us can't afford to splash out when we get to New York or Singapore. I even knew a colleague who would travel with her own air fryer and cook in her hotel room. That's the reality.
In truth, most of us aren't living the high life (excuse the pun). The days of spending a week in Rio and being paid a proper salary are mostly gone.
The pay isn't great. My basic starting salary (not including expenses for when we are abroad) was £17,500, before union action pushed it up to £22,800. It can vary slightly because we get paid more for doing long-duration flights or to fly to expensive destinations. But, on average, after two-and-half years in the job, my monthly take-home would vary between £1,900 to £2,400 per month.
The pilots, or 'nigels' as we like to call them, can be a bit socially inept. Often, they're talking about rounds of golf or their yachts while we're trying to figure out how to stretch a bottle of wine between five people. The caveat to that is there's quite a lot of romantic mingling between pilots and crew – many get married.
The other downside is the jet lag. I have tended to take sleeping tablets to get some rest, but it's tough as I hate being in front of people when feeling less than 100pc. Stewards will also get a break on flight, so you work a few hours and then sleep and then do the later onboard shift. But it's pretty tough on the body and social life for long haul.
One of the best perks is what's called 'concession flights', but they are not free (you still have to pay the tax). For BA, you can sign up to basic standby seats, or premium standby (which gives you access to Club or First Class if there's space, for a bit more money). It's risky, though, because you might not get a seat. A passenger will also get the upgrade to the best class before the crew.
On top of that, you can nominate three people (plus your partner) who can join you on the standby seats, so you can travel with friends or family, which is very generous. It's a good perk, but some people prefer just to buy a standard ticket to avoid any risk.
Air stewards also get 30 'hotline' tickets per year, which are just discounted tickets to various destinations – often so staff can fly home or get to their shift. These are confirmed seats, so don't have the same risk as standby, and staff can use these tickets for friends and family too. Former staff also get access to 'hotline' flights if they have worked for the airline for more than 10 years and left on good terms, for an annual fee.
The best thing for me is that the BA crew are generally good fun. You know it's going to be a great day on the job when you get to the briefing room and see one or two people you recognise, and can sense a really positive atmosphere. It sets the tone for the next 13 hours stuck in an aluminium tube together.
As crew, you share the most intimate personal details with each other in the air; as if you'd known them for years, not three hours. I've heard confessions; I've given confessions. We exchange advice, support, and therapy. We know each other's intimate secrets. And then, when we land back in Heathrow, that's it. You say your goodbyes and it can be hard to keep in touch because of the rotas.
For me, that's the reality of the job: you're a fire warden, a cleaner, a waiter, and a mental health supporter, all at once.