Onur Özdursun, AJet Cabin Chief, and Esra Beşli, Cabin Crew Member, who are on duty to ensure passengers enjoy a safe and comfortable flight experience, shed light on the unseen side of the aviation industry. Sincerely sharing insights on everything from flight safety to team harmony, the challenges of the profession to passenger relations, the duo reminded us once again that aviation is a career that requires dedication.
“We have a glamorous but responsibility-filled job”
Cabin Chief Onur Özdursun, who discovered the Civil Aviation Cabin Services programme thanks to one of his teachers, describes his first steps into the profession as “glamorous but demanding.” He highlighted the importance of team motivation while finding practical solutions to passenger requests:
“If the crew isn’t happy, the passengers won’t be either. When I walk into the crew room and start with a genuine ‘Hello,’ my colleagues can sense my energy just from the tone of my voice. That’s how we start the day on a positive note.”
Drawing attention to the checklists and procedures they follow during duty, Özdursun also emphasised that even a small gesture of appreciation can boost morale:
“A simple phrase like ‘Thank you’ gives us motivation for upcoming flights. For us, the cabin is never empty. It’s filled with passengers’ stories and the excitement of children’s first flights.”
“Communication is the key to this profession”
With seven years of experience in cabin services, Özdursun says the greatest benefit of the profession is how it improves communication skills. He explains that each flight means a new story and a new culture, and that he’s developed significantly in interpersonal relationships:
“Every time I step onto the aircraft, I feel a thrill inside. Meeting new people, hearing about different cultures—these experiences have taught me so much.”
“We work at 38,000 feet, not on the ground”
Cabin Crew Member Esra Beşli, who has been with the AJet family for about a year, says she followed her childhood dream to become a flight attendant. She explains that the job is not as easy as it looks:
“There are times we stay on our feet at 38,000 feet with just a coffee to keep us going. You don’t have a regular sleep schedule, and sometimes you have to work for hours under pressure. It really requires physical and mental resilience.”
Beşli underlines the critical importance of team coordination in the role:
“In this job, even a small mistake can lead to major consequences. That’s why it’s so important to support each other, stay calm, and practise empathy.”
“Flight safety depends on teamwork”
Beşli says the crew briefing held before each flight is crucial for flight safety, during which emergency procedures, flight duration, and special passenger needs are carefully noted. Even a small greeting can boost team morale, she adds, expressing her love for the job:
“A new destination every day, new faces… If you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like a burden. This job has taught me patience, how to manage crises, and how to connect with people. The peace I feel once the last passenger disembarks makes all the fatigue worthwhile.”
