To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Airline CEO worked a shift as a flight attendant and was ‘amazed’ by how ‘challenging’ it was

Stewart Perrie

Published 
| Last updated 

Airline CEO worked a shift as a flight attendant and was ‘amazed’ by how ‘challenging’ it was

Featured Image Credit: LinkedIn/Jens Ritter.

Being a flight attendant might seem like an incredible job.

You get to travel the world, see amazing places, not be confined to an office and desk...the list goes on.

Loading…

Advert

However, those long-haul flights where you're binging movie after movie or knocked out asleep, there's loads of staff who are working around the clock to attend to your every need.

To see just how hard cabin crew work during any given flight, an airline CEO decided to chuck on the uniform and dive into the trenches.

Jens Ritter is the boss of Lufthansa and he revealed on LinkedIn his experience of working as a flight attendant.

Airline boss Jens Ritter worked a shift as a flight attendant. Credit: LinkedIn/Jens Ritter
Airline boss Jens Ritter worked a shift as a flight attendant. Credit: LinkedIn/Jens Ritter
Advert

He wrote: "Sometimes, you need to change perspectives in order to gain new insights!

"This week, I accompanied our Lufthansa Airlines flight crew heading to Riyadh and Bahrain as 'additional crew member'. What a ride!

"I have been working for the Lufthansa Group for many years.

"But I have never had the opportunity to work as part of the cabin crew. And honestly, that was so interesting and also challenging!

Advert

"I was amazed by how much there is to organize, especially, if something doesn’t go as planned – for example the meals offered on the menu cards were not exactly the meals loaded on board."

There are loads of things that can happen when you're 33,000 feet above sea level and have hundreds of passengers with different wants and needs.

Jen Ritter found his shift as a flight attendant 'challenging'. Credit: LinkedIn/Jens Ritter
Jen Ritter found his shift as a flight attendant 'challenging'. Credit: LinkedIn/Jens Ritter

Ritter added: "It was so interesting to address the guests’ wishes individually, to deal with the different energy everyone has.

Advert

"I used to fly as a pilot and so I thought I knew about the challenges a flight during the night entails.

"But to be present and attentive and charming – when the biological clock just tells you to sleep – was something entirely different.

"The crew was terrific and welcomed me into their team right away. With their support, I was able to give a hand in business class on the way to Riyadh. Back to Frankfurt, during the night, I took care of our guests in economy class. And honestly: I enjoyed every moment!"

"I was astonished how much I learned in these few hours. Deciding things in the office will be different after really feeling the decisions on board."

Advert
The Lufthansa CEO says the shift gave him ideas about what needs changing. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
The Lufthansa CEO says the shift gave him ideas about what needs changing. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

He thanked the crew for letting him step into the shoes of a flight attendant for a few journeys so he could see what it was like on the ground...or air, so to speak.

Ritter said the experience has taught him that a lot of work needs to be done to improve standards.

"The aviation industry suffers from lack of staff, broken supply chains, lack of aircraft and many other problems," he said in a comment.

"If we fix this – their job would be a lot easier. On the other hand I think that everyone likes working if they feel being seen and appreciated and psychologically safe. This is something else I am trying hard to improve!"

Topics: News

Stewart Perrie
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Celebrity

Taylor Swift named TIME's Person of the Year 2023

an hour ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Horrifying moment woman is dragged away by tiger after exiting her car in wildlife park

2 hours ago