23 Years old and in charge in the cabin
Getting up early, long days, and a different destination every time: for many people, that sounds tough. For Marit, however, that is exactly what makes her job as a cabin attendant at KLM Cityhopper so special. She is 23, has been working at KLM Cityhopper for almost two years now, and visibly enjoys her work. "You never know what to expect. Every flight, every passenger is different. When I was little, I already dreamed of this job. Now I see why every day!"
Small team, big impact
"At KLM Cityhopper, you work in the cabin in pairs or threes, depending on the aircraft," Marit begins. So, a small team that is nevertheless responsible for about 100 passengers during a flight. "Full flights, many different passengers, all with their own needs, and not to mention flight safety: there is a lot involved in a flight."
Every day begins with a briefing at the crew center. There, the crew discusses the upcoming flights: which destinations, how many passengers, and any special circumstances.
Still, you can never prepare for everything. Sometimes everything goes according to plan, sometimes something unexpected happens.
I recently had a passenger on board who was flying for the first time and found it quite nerve-wracking. I gave him a glass of water, reassured him, and asked about the wonderful trip he was taking. During the flight, I checked in on him a few times to have a chat and see how he was doing. After landing, he came over to thank us for the pleasant flight. It is precisely that kind of personal attention that allows me to make a difference, and that is exactly what makes this job so special to me.Marit, Senior cabin attendant at KLM Cityhopper
Learning a lot and making great strides
From your very first flight, you are immediately given a lot of responsibility at KLM Cityhopper. As a result, you learn quickly and extensively. "I have been working here for almost 2 years and am already a senior cabin attendant: I work at the front of the cabin and supervise the colleague at the back.
"I find it remarkable that I receive so much trust at my age. You really learn something new every day."
Within KLM Cityhopper, there are plenty of opportunities for development. You can get promoted quite quickly, and there are also several additional roles within the organization.
Challenging schedule, special moments
"Our schedule is tough, with early shifts and many flights; people sometimes underestimate that. But on the other hand, it is precisely that variety that makes the work special: no day is the same. Sometimes I drink a cappuccino on a terrace in Florence on a Tuesday afternoon or wander through Stavanger for a few hours. That is not possible with an office job."
A dream come true
"When I was little, I already said that I wanted to do this later; back then, I called it a flight attendant." Nevertheless, I initially started training to become a beautician and a nurse. None of that was quite right for me.
“I decided to apply to an airline. For someone from Limburg, Eindhoven Airport seemed like the obvious choice, because it’s closer. But I thought: if I’m going to do it, I want to do it right and work for KLM Cityhopper. Because of the great responsibility and young colleagues, I chose Cityhopper. I haven't regretted it for a single moment!”
For Marit, it is clear: this job suits her. “It is varied, you meet a lot of people, and you can make a difference for passengers. That makes it worthwhile every single day.”
