A well-traveled flight attendant has revealed the highs and lows of his exciting career, which include encounters with lightning strikes and extreme sleep deprivation, alongside the thrill of exploring the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
Mateusz Kowalewicz’s passion for travel sparked during his teenage years when he embarked on his first international trip to Israel through a school exchange program. Initially traveling on a tight budget by hitchhiking across Europe, he eventually pursued a career as a flight attendant to combine his love for travel with earning a living. Mateusz, 29, originally from Białystok, Poland, now calls Warsaw home as he jets around the globe for work.
In an interview with Polish media, Mateusz described the dynamic nature of his job, emphasizing the constant variety in his monthly schedule due to his airline’s operation of three different aircraft types. One of his proudest travel accomplishments is visiting all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World,’ with work-related layovers and staff tickets enabling him to explore these iconic sites.
However, not all experiences are smooth sailing. Mateusz recounted a frightening incident when a flight he was on was struck by lightning, prompting a return to Warsaw for safety reasons. In discussing the challenges of his job, he highlighted the struggle of adjusting to different time zones, particularly in Eastern destinations during long layovers.
Despite the obstacles, Mateusz finds joy in the unpredictability of his job, recounting memorable encounters like attending an American christening after a layover in Chicago. His role has also provided him with opportunities for thrilling adventures such as skydiving in Dubai and taking a seaplane ride in Mauritius.
Looking ahead, Mateusz dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro and further exploring Africa, a continent he has yet to fully discover after Australia. For aspiring flight attendants, he emphasizes the importance of language skills and meeting specific requirements, including being at least 18 years old, holding a high school diploma, knowing how to swim in case of an emergency water landing, and avoiding visible tattoos.
If you have your own travel tales to share, reach out to us at webtravel@reachplc.com.