Moving to Hong Kong for an Aviation Dream: Flight Attendant Fiona Safeguards Every Journey

Hailing from Shanghai, Fiona spent her early years studying in Canada, frequently travelling with Cathay via Hong Kong along the way. She fondly recalls how the thoughtful service of the crew always made her feel at home during the flight. Those early experiences stayed with her – so in 2023, when we launched our first Flight Attendant recruitment campaign in the Chinese Mainland, Fiona applied. Today, she is part of the team.

When Plans Change Mid-Air

Cabin crew members are required to complete a seven-week induction training programme upon joining, covering safety protocols and customer service skills, followed by annual safety training and emergency drills that keep the whole team to the required standard at all times. It is this shared grounding that allows crew members who may never have met to build rapport almost instantly.

Fiona shares that with a common goal of delivering premium service, alongside strong communication and teamwork, the crew often understand each other perfectly – sometimes with no more than a glance.

When speaking of memorable flight experiences, Fiona recalls a flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco where a passenger fell ill and required urgent medical attention. With Hong Kong under Typhoon Signal No. 10 at the time, the flight could not return and was diverted to Osaka. While reassuring the passengers, the team also had to prepare for departure again. Since Osaka is not a regular long-haul destination, supplies on board were limited. Fiona and her colleagues quickly collaborated to reallocate resources to ensure service ran smoothly.

Moments like these capture the reality of cabin crew life. Plans change. Pressure rises. What matters is staying composed, working together, and keeping people safe and cared for until they reach their destination. Seeing passengers arrive safely brings Fiona an immense sense of fulfilment – and reminds her of the true value of her work.

Living the Dream in Hong Kong with All-Round Support

Relocating to Hong Kong to chase her dream was not without its challenges, yet Fiona was still incredibly excited. With comprehensive support provided for non-local employees, settling in was made much easier, while colleagues looked out for one another like a warm, close-knit family. She recalls, "My colleagues are just like family. They gave me so much help and support, from picking out home furnishings to taking care of me when I was sick." She encourages those looking to join the aviation industry to treat the challenges of a new environment as opportunities to learn and grow, and to fully embrace crew life.