Working on Christmas Day as Cabin Crew

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unless you happen to be working on Christmas Day that is!

Unfortunately, missing out some years is part and parcel of the Cabin Crew role – it’s one of the requirements of the job that you need to think long and hard about when you’re considering if the career is right for you.

Many people are used to working over the festive period (and on the big day itself) having previous employment experience in areas like hospitality or food service. However, being thousands of miles away from your family and friends on a flight or layover can be a very different matter!

The important thing to remember is that there will be many other Christmases you get to spend with family and friends – and they’ll be all the more special to you because of having to occasionally miss out.

Try to stay off of social media if you’re on a Christmas layover and feeling homesick – the photos and status updates by your friends of parties and nights out are unlikely to make you feel any better!

Phone home, or video call with your family.

Plan a ‘fake Christmas’ where you have a traditional dinner and open your presents, or belated festive night out with friends so that you have something to look forward to when you get home.

Keep yourself busy! This won’t be a problem if you’re flying and carrying out your usual in-flight duties, but if you’re on layover then get out and about and make the most of your time. You might end up having so much fun that you’ll forget how much you’re missing home!

Remind yourself that you’re living your dream and enjoying your Cabin Crew career – and the challenges you’ve had to overcome to get this far! When you look at it this way it can make the harder times seem worthwhile.

Treat yourself! If you’re on layover why not get yourself a little something, or a Christmassy souvenir to remind you of the time you spent Christmas in this particular destination. You could even make it a new tradition for future layovers at this time of year.

Remember that it can work both ways – while you’re dreaming of home, friends could be wishing like mad that they were in your position, visiting exotic destinations and having the opportunity to have amazing experiences.

Do what’s right for you. If your fellow crew members want to go out on the town but you feel that this might only you feel more miserable then just say no – curl up in bed with a hot drink, and a good book or Netflix show!

One of the incredible things about spending Christmas abroad is the opportunity to have a whole new cultural experience – seeing how other countries celebrate the festive period!