SITUATION

A recent graduate contemplating her career path is curious about the viability of becoming a flight attendant. She seeks insights into the extent of travel involved in this role and wants to understand why some cabin crew members leave their jobs despite the apparent perks.

TASK

My task is to provide an informed perspective on the travel opportunities associated with being a flight attendant and to shed light on the reasons behind cabin crew turnover, even in the presence of seemingly attractive benefits.

ACTION

• Data Source
• Data Cleaning
  • Python
  • Excel
• Data Analysis
  • Excel
  • SQL
• Data Visualization
  • Tableau
    • Typography
    • Color
    • Layout
    • KPIs
    • Charts
    • Title of Charts

RESULT

In my former role as cabin crew, I operated a total of 712 flights, accumulating 1,437 block hours. During this time, I had the chance to land in 92 different airports across 53 countries. Of these countries, I was fortunate to explore 35 during layovers, spanning five continents. However, the majority of layovers typically lasted 24 hours, sometimes extending to 48 hours, with a rare 72-hour stay. It's important to note that these durations included time spent commuting to and from the hotel, personal necessities like sleep and preparation for the return flight.

In retrospect, despite the challenges posed by red-eye flights and irregular sleep patterns, I found ample opportunities for travel. For instance, within these 35 countries, I visited a total of 60 cities. When averaged over my 4.3-year tenure as a flight attendant, this equates to approximately 15 destinations explored per year. From my perspective, this represents a fulfilling travel experience.

Considering the insights from my experience, here are key action steps to help you make an informed decision about a career as a flight attendant:

1. Assess Your Lifestyle: Recognize that the job involves an irregular schedule and disrupted sleep patterns. Reflect on whether you can adapt to these challenges over the long term.
2. Evaluate Passion for Travel: If you have a strong passion for travel and the prospect of exploring various destinations within limited layover hours excites you, this profession could be a perfect fit.
3. Research the Airline: Research specific airlines to understand their routes, layover durations, and policies. Some airlines may offer more extensive travel opportunities than others.
4. Speak with Current or Former Cabin Crew: Connect with current or former flight attendants to gain firsthand insights into their experiences, challenges and rewards in the industry.
5. Consider Long-Term Goals: Think about your long-term career goals and how being a flight attendant aligns with them. Are there other roles within the airline industry that might suit your aspirations better?

Ultimately, a career as a flight attendant can be incredibly rewarding, especially for those passionate about travel. However, it's essential to carefully weigh the demands and lifestyle considerations to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and preferences.

Have a look at the Cabin Crew Travel dashboard.