Imagine if your work week included...
Trekking the hills in Hong Kong Taking helicopter rides above New York CityRiding Camels in the Dubai desert Watching Fifa in LondonSurfing in Brisbane
Trekking the hills in Hong KongTaking helicopter rides above New York CityRiding Camels in the Dubai desert Watching Fifa in London Surfing in Brisbane
For Singapore Airlines cabin crew members, this is their reality.
Few people travel as regularly and extensively as the Singapore Airlines crew. Journey along with three crew members as they guide us through their favorite cities.
Crew Member No. 1
Favorite City: Paris
From taking colleagues to unexpected places in the city to practicing her French with locals, Amber’s frequent visits to Paris have let her build a rich community in the city and indulge in her love of pastries.
“I planned to save money and attend a culinary school in Paris,” says Amber, a Singapore-native who has been flying for nine years. “But then I realized how much I love this job and its lifestyle. I trained as a French-speaking crew member to fulfill my Parisienne dreams, and now I’m able to visit the city once a month.”
And while it may be thousands of miles away, Paris’s obsession with food mirrors Singapore’s love for “makan”—where dining together creates bonds that are hard to break.
“Initially, I joined the Singapore Airlines cabin crew to realize my dream of becoming a pastry chef.”
Amber loves to grab pastries and stroll Canal St. Martin with her colleagues. Du Pain et des Idees is their go-to bakery for traditional baked goods, both salty and sweet.
Even though Amber enjoys strolling and picnicking along the canal, there’s nothing that competes with the view from the Parc du Champ de Mars, the public park near the Eiffel Tower.
Traveling
bonds us Traveling bonds us
As a family. And the experience we get from learning about each others’ ways of life contribute to our world-class service.”
Amber is also passionate about the planet. An advocate for less waste, she brings her commitment to sustainable living with her as she travels. From encouraging passengers to allow her to refill their water bottles to sharing learnings from the recycling programs she sees in Germany and Denmark, Amber’s environmental goals are always top-of-mind when exploring new places with her fellow crew members.
Bonding over bites of brioche and swapping recipes for the perfect éclair, Amber and her colleagues know their travels on land make for a better time in air. “We are in a truly privileged role; we can experience the world and all her culture,” she says.
For those ready to lead a life of global exploration, Amber recommends committing to the adventure: “Immerse yourself in the culture completely and be open to new things.”
Crew Member No. 2
Favorite City: Munich
For Rauf, joining Singapore Airlines was about continuing a legacy—his father has served as a cabin crew member for more than 30 years.
Originally from Singapore, Rauf frequently visited different cities across Germany with his family growing up. As a result, he picked up the language of a culture he feels considerable affinity with and is today a German-speaking member of the crew.
“Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of working with my father and flying all over the world.”
Monuments like the Angel of Peace, car racing events, and the handful of natural amenities available throughout the city captured Rauf’s imagination from a young age.
“My introduction to the city was on a family vacation in 2011. Being a soccer fanatic and a car enthusiast, it’s the perfect travel destination for me.”
From running through the city’s parks to catching a football match at the Allianz Arena, Rauf stays active on his travels. “Regardless of the weather, I always go for a jog in Munich’s English Garden. It’s just a totally different experience from jogging in Singapore. Since our job requires us to be physically and mentally fit, I enjoy helping my colleagues on their fitness journeys as well.”
With his deep family ties to Singapore Airlines, it’s unsurprising that Rauf prioritizes strong relationships with his colleagues. When traveling, he says that different personalities working together produces the best result; while one is mastering a local map, another will identify where to grab dinner.
Rauf believes that exploring destinations with others allows you to do and see new things. And the more activities you share with your cabin crew on the ground, the more it enhances the experience in the air.
During his travels, Rauf is always game for a surprise. On his first visit he discovered the surfable river in the English Gardens, nestled in the middle of the Bavarian city.
Crew Member No. 3
Favorite City: San Francisco
“My very first memory of Singapore Airlines was from a primary school trip from Singapore to Perth,” says Tracee, who completed a Bachelor’s degree in Geography before joining Singapore Airlines as a cabin crew member. “I remember the friendly crew member dressed in the iconic sarong kebaya uniform who came to help me when I was struggling with the pack of peanuts.”
“Towards the end of flight, she asked me if I wanted to be a crew member one day, and I nodded ‘yes’”.
Today, Tracee has taken the Singapore Airlines spirit of care beyond her time inflight. As a member of the airline’s volunteer corps, Tracee devotes time to communities in need. “I enjoy spreading joy during volunteering events,” she says. “Last year, I had the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year tradition known as ‘lou hei’ with the senior citizens during Chinese New Year. We have also brought groups to the Jewel Changi Airport to see the canopy park and other attractions.”
“We love taking yoga, zumba, and spin classes as a group around the world.”
San Francisco is chock-full of indoor and outdoor activities, allowing ample opportunities for fun and fitness.
Being respectful to other cultures and customs is important to the attitude she brings to her inflight service. When visiting a new location, she always makes sure to learn a few greetings in the local language to use in the air—including “Spasiba,” “Guten Morgen,” and “Namaste,” to name a few.
She’s also committed to sharing her healthy lifestyle with her fellow crew members.
They specifically like to share workout routines that are good for strengthening their backs and cores, which is essential inflight.
After a satisfying workout, they often reward themselves with a healthy lunch. Tracee and a few of her colleagues are vegan, and they like to exchange delicious places to eat in different cities that suit their dietary needs.
Cycle across the
Golden Gate Bridge Cycle across
the Golden
Gate Bridge
For incredible views
and incomparable cardio. For incredible views and
incomparable cardio.
Wander
around pier 39 Wander around
pier 39
Hoping to spot
sunbathing sea lions. Hoping to spot
sunbathing sea lions.
Explore the
Muir Woods. Explore the
Muir Woods.
Where they hike to marvel at the towering redwood trees. Where they hike to marvel at the towering redwood trees.
The fun that these friends have exploring different destinations is contagious on board. According to Tracee, “The crew and passengers can feel and see your sincerity if you run the cabin service with your heart.”