lastminute lovely Nicole catches up with an Etihad Cabin Manager and gets the inside goss on working at 30,000 ft.
Natalie Morton
Name: Natalie Morton
Role: Cabin manager
Time working as cabin crew: Over eight years
Home town: Gold Coast, Australia
What interested you in a career in the airline industry?
The opportunity to see the world and to meet new people and experience new cultures.
What are some of the strangest requests you’ve ever received from a passenger?
A guest once asked me to have his suit dry cleaned onboard – while he slept.
What are the best parts of the job?
The chance to work with the broad spectrum of amazing people who work right across the airline.
Etihad inflight team
And the not so great parts?
Jetlag but after a while you learn to sleep anywhere.
Have you ever looked after any celebrities on your flights?
Etihad Airways is fortunate enough to be the preferred airline for many celebrities – Australian and international alike – but my personal favourite was one of The Beatles.
Etihad has been voted the World’s Leading Airline for the past three years, what do you think it is that sets Etihad apart from the competition?
At Etihad Airways we all work to incredibly high standards. Our cabin crew all strive to give ‘great’ customer service and are genuinely passionate about making every flight a memorable one for each and every guest.
What’s the most far flung destination you’ve been to whilst working as cabin crew? And what did you get up to when you were there?
China. Lots of shopping and eating yummy, authentic dim sum.
Abu Dhabi is the headquarters for Etihad. Do you have any insider tips on the city?
Abu Dhabi is just amazing! There is so much to do here and it’s a very family-friendly destination. There are long and leisurely brunches every Friday (the first day of the weekend there); great shopping malls; the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World on Yas Island (the home of the Formula 1) and heaps of spas for you to pamper yourself at. Also, Yas Waterworld is opening at the end of the year which will be great for the kids.
Abu Dhabi at dusk
What are your must-haves for surviving long haul flying?
I always drink litres of water and wear comfortable clothes. I like to use Bio Oil which I find helps rehydrate my body after a 14-hour flight. Oh, and I can’t live without papaw ointment from Australia for my lips.
As a frequent traveler, do you have any tips for our readers on how to pack light?
A universal adaptor is a must-have. And pack the bare minimum; you can always buy anything you forgot or need at your destination.
When you have time off do you prefer to spend precious time at home or jet off on holidays?
I love to stay home. I love sleeping in my own bed and eating home-cooked meals.
What destination do you most want to visit next?
Brazil at Carnivale time. I hope to go next year when Etihad Airways starts flying there.