From secondary school English teacher to British Airways Cabin Crew

I never thought I’d work as cabin crew when I was younger - it wasn’t even on my radar. I’d always planned on being a secondary school English teacher. It was only after I left university and returned from six months of travelling I considered it as a career. The idea of a 9-5 life after I’d just seen the world seriously depressed me! I applied to BA in 2013 and never thought I’d be successful. I was! I flew both long haul and short haul routes all over the world for two years and I loved it. But then I wanted a new challenge, so took up a secondment opportunity in BA’s training department, where I worked as a customer service trainer. It was a fantastic learning curve for me and I got to train a variety of content, from initial new entrant cabin crew courses, to aircraft conversions and service days. This led me back to the idea of teaching, and in 2017 I took a huge risk and left BA, completed a PGCE in English and worked as a secondary school teacher for five years. It was both the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever done. However, every time a BA plane flew over my head on my way to school it reminded me of how much I loved working at BA. So like most people who leave BA, I returned. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m part-time cabin crew now, which enables me to blend flying, crew training and teaching. I really enjoy the variety this offers me.

I am Cabin Crew at LHR, a Cabin Crew Trainer and an English Teacher!

I work as Cabin Crew at LHR. This means I operate short haul flights on BA’s A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, and long haul flights on BA’s 777, 787 and A350 aircraft. I’m trained in all cabins, which means I might work in the World Traveller cabin to New York, the Club World cabin to Japan or the First cabin to the Maldives. Being safe and secure is our number one priority, but whichever cabin I work in, I love getting to know our customers and making their flight as enjoyable and memorable as possible. A week each month I work at BA’s training facility as a Cabin Crew Line Trainer. I train a range of content that includes (but is not limited to) our different service routines and procedures across our premium cabins, our onboard products and the soft service skills required to serve our customers. Some of my colleagues train safety and emergency procedures, and aviation medicine. The Line Trainer and Cabin Crew roles complement each other really well, and I really enjoy the diversity both these roles add to my career at British Airways. In my part-time weeks I still work as a secondary school English teacher. I enjoy going back into schools to teach English, which is a nice break from all the jet-setting. I often share my travel stories from BA with my students. I know they really appreciate them - and I’ve certainly inspired some of them to join BA when they’re old enough!

It’s more than a job, it’s a lifestyle - and no day is the same!

Aviation is so incredibly exciting! I fly to a range of European and worldwide destinations each year. Each month I have the opportunity to bid for these destinations - and there are so many to choose from. You never really know where in the world you might end up! Working as cabin crew is more than a job, it’s a lifestyle - and no day is ever the same. I love getting to know people! BA customers and colleagues span all ages, come from all walks of life, a variety of cultures and backgrounds. What a privilege and an opportunity it is getting to know them each time I step on board a BA aircraft. I love to explore new places and try different foods across the globe! Whether it be climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town, eating tacos in Mexico, or snorkelling a coral reef in the Maldives, thanks to BA I’ve explored the globe and enjoyed incredible food along the way.

Never be afraid to fail.

I always say to my students at school ‘never be afraid to fail’. It’s only through failure that we learn how to succeed. Not everyone who applies to BA is successful the first time around. That’s OK. Just don’t give up and make sure you learn what you need to do differently next time. BA Cabin Crew come from all walks of life and all ages. If it’s something you’re really interested in then go for it, even if you think it’s way out your comfort zone or unlike anything you’ve done previously. Remember: to most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.

Qualifying as a secondary school English teacher!

Qualifying as a secondary school English teacher is by far my greatest achievement. It has challenged me in ways I could never have imagined, both academically and on a personal level. Some days are incredibly difficult, whether it be the insurmountable amounts of marking and lesson planning, managing challenging behaviour or dealing with complex safeguarding concerns. Yet, there are moments that remind you why you’re a teacher. This usually comes after you’ve spent months working tirelessly and seemingly getting no where, to finally notice that light bulb moment or progress in a student’s work that makes it all worth it. However, for me teachers are those who help find strengths, wipe away tears, overpower demons and conquer fears. It’s therefore the rapport I build with my students over time and the impact I have on them - and they have on me - that matters and will last a life time.