Celebrities, royals, and businessmen get the privilege to ride private jets. On their luxurious ride in the sky, these privileged people get their every need attended by flight attendants, who, I believe, are one of the most selfless people in the world. These stewards ensure the comfort of the passengers inside the plane.
Despite the perks of being able to travel across the globe, a private flight attendant’s job is very demanding and stressful.
They may serve their passengers every need, but the skills required by flight attendants are much more than that of a waitress -- they're cocktail mixologists, cleaners, personal assistants, caterers and even dog sitters.
Kimberly Benton, who has been working in the industry for nine years, shares her story of what it is like to be a flight attendant.
For her, being a VIP flight attendant is more than just delivering the best possible service to her clients, but about "creating an experience."
"They're expecting you to be a lot more personal," the 32-year-old told CNN Travel. "They expect you to know exactly what they want, when they want it and it could be something as little as as soon as they get on the plane they want a shot of a Nespresso, the foot rest up and their Sunday Times [newspaper] waiting for them."
She's held birthday parties in the sky, after-parties for pop stars who she's flown with for their concert tours, and even put on full banquets for her guests. It's a job that requires her to be constantly adaptable to whatever situation she's in.
Mary Kalymnou, who has been a flight attendant for 13 years, also shares her experience.
On board she's had guests bring exotic parrots, jewels, more than 20 bags of shopping and even guns. She says she's also had dead bodies.
"Three times in my career I had a deceased person on board -- a coffin in the cargo, made out of gold and expensive wood," she recalls.
"They were three very well-known men, [who] obviously traveled in luxury for the last time in their lives."
She says the job of a VIP flight attendant is demanding and one that "requires a lot of sacrifices."
"It requires a lot of patience, flexibility, and for sure -- high levels of self-esteem," Kalymnou explains. "The clients expect the best, the operators demand the highest so you must be willing and of course be able to offer the best of yourself."
Otherwise, she says, you could be easily replaced.
"Every girl could learn this job ... but only a few will eventually stand out. Being professional is not enough -- you must be unique," she says.
Would you consider being a flight attendant?
(Image Credit: Mary Kalymnou)