Spending countless hours queuing at security, grappling with other passengers when faced with a cramped long-haul flight in economy class is something the super-rich avoid. Therefore, they often tend to own or rent a private jet to meet all their personal needs such as being able to enjoy a movie theater, having their own bedroom and living room.
In order for a private jet to provide the best service experience, flight attendants are often chosen very carefully. They are the ones who spend hours, often alone, tirelessly ensuring passengers receive superior 5-star service.
Hard work and extremely stressful
The life of a VIP air hostess comes with the benefits of traveling the world, however their job can be demanding and stressful. The skills that flight attendants have to master are quite a few: they are expert cocktail bartenders, cleaners, personal assistants, caterers, and even dog sitters.
Flight attendant Kimberley Benton has been in the industry for 9 years. She shared that it was her love of travel that drew her to this job, helping her start 14 trips around the world. To date, she has traveled to more than 130 countries and on 27 different types of jets. For her, being a VIP flight attendant is not just about providing the best possible service to her customers, but about “creating the experience”.
She threw birthday parties in the sky, celebrations for the pop stars she flew with on their tour. It was a job that required her to constantly adapt to every situation. “Pop bands, royalty, millionaires, billionaires, heirs. I’ve flown with a lot of people you see on TV.” Benton lists the people she has flown with.
Benton says: “You need to create a good atmosphere, don’t let them drink too much, but don’t spoil the fun and create balance. I’ve hosted a few sky parties before when I know they bring along. friends or customers on the aircraft”.
Besides, the equipment used on the plane is very expensive. Benton said she once worked on an airplane decorated with silk carpets and toilets made by Italian luxury fashion house, Fendi. Benton said that while some major commercial airlines offer private rooms for customers if they want a more luxurious experience, it still can’t compete with the exclusivity of private jets. “You still don’t have the ability to change schedules and that’s what makes private flights so different and so much more relevant than commercial ones.”
Benton currently works as a freelance flight attendant for TAG Aviation and many other operators providing private and corporate aviation services. She shared that since becoming a flight attendant for the super-rich, sometimes you don’t always have the opportunity to have a full day off.
High salary, often given branded gifts
As a freelancer, flight attendants can make anywhere from £150 to £450 a day, depending on your experience and what you’re looking for. You can negotiate with the operator. “There is no fixed salary. Everyone has their own agreement.”
Benton said that although flight attendants don’t usually get tips, she has received gifts such as expensive handbags from clients from the super-rich. And while she admits it’s a privilege, she says the best part of her job is the opportunity to meet new people and visit new places, such as the Maldives, Japan, and Bali. . “One of the great perks is being able to go to different places. You travel for a living and you’re doing what you love.”Benton shared.
Besides, she also has more super-rich friends. Talking with them is also a way for her to learn many things, grasp the wishes of customers and become more and more professional in becoming a flight attendant for private flights.