Stefanie, how long have you been flying?
Since 2015, over ten years now. I took a few breaks in between for an internship, a diploma program, and some time abroad, but I always came back to flying.

What still makes the job special after all this time?
Definitely the people. When you go through a long, intense day together as a crew, support each other, and end up laughing about inside jokes after the last flight, you build a bond that’s hard to explain. In those moments, it starts to feel like family.

Those are the moments that stick with you. Sometimes you’re sitting in the galley in the middle of the night, and suddenly you end up having a really personal conversation with someone from the crew. Trust builds very quickly in this job.

What about the challenging parts?
There definitely are some. We’re all human, after all. Both crew members and passengers. Not every shift goes smoothly, and not every crew immediately clicks. That’s why teamwork is so important.

You also see very quickly how people react under stress. A lot of the time, it starts with carry-on bags.

The classic carry-on situation?
(laughs) Exactly. But usually there’s more behind it. We completely understand that passengers want to keep their belongings close to them and settle in comfortably. Sometimes it may seem like we’re being strict for no reason, but really, our goal is simply to make the boarding process as smooth as possible so everyone can get to their destination on time - passengers and crew alike.

What are some of the best moments?
There are so many. Passengers who sincerely thank us, shake hands with every crew member, or bring us little gifts. Those moments really stay with you.

What changed when you became Maître de Cabine?
The biggest change is definitely the responsibility. When something happens, you can’t just hand it off to someone else anymore. You have to make decisions and solve problems.

As M/C, you’re connecting everything — the crew, the passengers, and the flight deck. You’re also responsible for leading the team and setting the tone on board.

What was the hardest adjustment?
Realizing that you’re always visible. Passengers notice you, but your crew does too. Suddenly you’re not just part of the group anymore. You are in a leadership role. People want to feel that you have everything under control.

At the same time, I never wanted to become the kind of leader who just gives orders from the front. I want to work alongside my team. Finding that balance can be tricky sometimes.

What do you mean by that?
You have to learn to make clear decisions, even when you’re not completely sure yourself. Even as an M/C (Maître de Cabine), you’re allowed to have doubts. The important thing is how you handle them.

I tend to overthink things a little because I’m naturally reflective. But eventually you have to say: okay, this is the decision we’re making.

Who would you recommend the role to?
People who enjoy responsibility, organization, and keeping an overview of everything.

If someone mainly loves interacting with passengers and focusing on service, they don’t necessarily need to become an M/C. The role is about much more than service. You’re constantly coordinating between different areas and looking after the bigger picture.

What do you wish passengers understood more?
Probably that openness helps us a lot. If someone doesn’t fly often or feels nervous, it’s really helpful if they tell us. And if someone has a fear of flying, they should absolutely feel comfortable speaking up.

Frequent flyers also sometimes forget that we’re human too. We’re always happy to help, but sometimes it helps when people take a deep breath and leave a bit of their stress behind before boarding.

What’s your favorite destination?
Bangkok is amazing: the culture, the food, the whole atmosphere. Experiencing places that feel completely different from home is part of what makes this job so special.

The flights can be exhausting, though. If I had to pick the perfect mix of a pleasant flight and a great destination, I’d probably choose Singapore. Some people think it feels a little too polished, but once you really explore it, there’s so much there.

What’s always in your crew bag?
A charging cable, deodorant, and black tape.

Black tape?
(laughs) Yes! I use it to cover all those tiny lights in hotel rooms: TVs, chargers, all of it. Those little lights drive me insane.

And your best jet lag tip?
Not stressing about it. If I can’t sleep, I can’t sleep. My mom always used to say, “Even just lying down and resting still counts as rest.”

These days, though, lack of sleep is more of an issue than jet lag itself. There’s no real secret to dealing with it — you just learn to manage it over time.

Thanks so much for the interview, Stefanie.