“What interests me most is the technology and control, and knowing that I’ll be able to safely get an aircraft from point A to point B using my knowledge and skills. That gives me an incredible sense of empowerment,” says Anna-Maria Floros. At 24, she aspires to become a pilot. “I wanted this career since I was a child. But I don’t come from a ‘flying family,’ so I wanted to approach it gradually.” Shortly before finishing high school, she tried gliding, though she didn’t complete a license. “Still, that was the moment I caught fire,” she recalls.

Even so, Anna didn’t want to dive headfirst into pilot training. “At that time, I didn’t know what to expect or how this life would suit me. It wasn’t important for me to reach my goal immediately.” She also wanted to understand and master the work in the cabin before moving to the cockpit—because the Frankfurt native doesn’t do things halfway. Guided by this careful approach, the then-18-year-old applied to several airlines for cabin crew training. At SWISS, the spark finally ignited. The airline, previously familiar to Anna only as a passenger, offered her a position, and her life moved from Frankfurt to Winterthur. “I had never really experienced Switzerland consciously before.” But that didn’t stop her. She learned Swiss German on the job. “It was important to me to understand the dialect and even speak a little.”

A dedicated team every day

Through her new role, Anna not only got acquainted with a new dialect but also with the world of aviation—and especially crew life. “On a flight, you always work with other people, but in a very short time, you become a tight-knit team, one that handles even stressful days together and communicates well.” She was surprised by the interaction between cockpit and cabin. “I expected a much stronger hierarchy. But during a layover—an overnight stop—we all hang out together, and the mix is very balanced.”

Then something happened that even careful Anna hadn’t planned: the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic, grounding most planes and putting her flying dream on hold. But she quickly adapted with a Plan B. “In September 2020, I started my part-time aviation degree in Winterthur, simply to learn more about the scientific and technical side of the field.” As the pandemic eased, Anna resumed her cabin crew job while continuing her studies. With graduation approaching, her pilot dream drew closer.

To move her dream forward, Anna applied to the European Flight Academy, Lufthansa Group’s flight school. There, she underwent cognitive testing, including assessments of concentration, reaction time, and spatial awareness. Because she enrolled in SWISS’s airline-specific development program, her suitability was further evaluated by the Flight Crew Assessment Center and SWISS Medical through the so-called Pre Airline Fit. Anna successfully completed these modules and ultimately received SWISS’s framework and loan agreement to support her pilot training.

Her training began in December 2024 with the first theoretical module—a “superficial overview,” as Anna calls it. The 15 students learned about meteorology, navigation, and flight planning—topics they would delve into over the next two years. In April, the class moved to Grenchen for six weeks of practical training, flying single-engine aircraft for the first time.

 

"There's no standart toute to become a pilote"

Among the trainees, career paths to the cockpit vary widely. “There’s no standard route,” Anna agrees. But her experience as a cabin crew member will certainly help later. “I know the challenges and daily routine. I understand what to expect and how to manage my energy.” Her completed aviation degree is also a significant advantage.

During the two-year pilot program, theory and practical modules alternate. “The second practical phase will take place in the U.S.,” Anna explains. The program concludes with a diploma and the BAZL theory exam for her license.

But training doesn’t end there. “After that comes the Type Rating at SWISS, where it will be decided which aircraft I’ll fly in the future.”

In about a year and a half, Anna will fulfill her childhood dream. Thinking about it evokes a mix of “respect and excitement,” she says. “I’m looking forward to the breathtaking views from the cockpit and, above all, the sunsets. It’s a challenging path, but it’s worth it.”