A mother and daughter who both work as flight attendants for Qantas have shared an inside look at what it is like to be part of the national carrier's cabin crew. Kayla Pretlove, 24, is a First Class flight attendant who joined Qantas in 2023, six years after her mother Leena began her career with the airline. Kayla said she was inspired to pursue the role because of her parents, who both worked in aviation.
"I wanted to become cabin crew with Qantas because of my parents. They have both worked in aviation for as long as I can remember, and when the opportunity came about, I was excited to see what it was all about," Kayla told news.com.au. "I also love to travel, so that was a plus."
Before Kayla joined, Leena gave her daughter a pep talk about the realities of the job. "I told her about the realities of flying through different time zones, having to be an emergency nurse, a ballerina, a psychologist, a maître d' running a five-star restaurant at 30,000 feet," Leena said. "As a flight attendant, you are managing multiple roles, not just one."
Kayla took her mother's advice to heart and went through the intense six-week training program. "I loved school as a kid, and it honestly reminded me of the HSC examinations, minus the essays," she said. "There are lots of things to remember, but I had a blast training. I loved all the elements. You work hard for six weeks, and you would be surprised – the drills and information just cement themselves into your brain."
In the last three years, the duo have had the unique opportunity of working together on the same flights. However, both said that the moment they board, they are no longer mother and daughter but colleagues. "When we are in a working environment, we always keep it very professional," Leena said. "We put our work 'hat' on," Kayla added. "We are in different cabins on the aircraft, so I usually do not see her until the breaks, but it is nice knowing she is around."
Kayla said she feels lucky to work with her mother. "If you have flown with me or know me, I always say how special it is working with Mum. My mum and I have a great relationship, and I am really lucky to be able to work with her and see the world with her," she said.
Both women enjoy the perks of the job, including staff travel discounts that allow them to frequently visit family in Finland and Iceland. Leena said she is very proud of her daughter. "I am very proud of what she has achieved and how she conducts herself and perfects the role," she said.
Kayla said she initially struggled with jet lag but has since developed strategies to manage it. "I did not know how to manage my rest, and boy did I get sick. I was very unwell in my first few months of flying. But now I have to say my immune system is impenetrable," she said. "Prioritising sleep and hydration and also exercising helps manage my jet lag – something my mother is big on." Leena added: "I am flying to Honolulu tonight, and it is a 10-hour route, so I will drink at least 2 litres of water ahead of time, as being hydrated really helps me during the flight."
Both Leena and Kayla advised anyone interested in becoming a flight attendant to "give it a go" but noted it is a huge lifestyle change. "Once you start, you will know pretty fast if it is for you," Kayla said. "But for many people, they can never go back to anything else. There is nothing else like it in the world, and I think it has to be one of – if not the – best jobs. You will see amazing parts of the world, meet interesting people, make friends – the list goes on."
Qantas executive manager of cabin crew, Daniel Dihen, said: "Being cabin crew is more than a job for many of our people – it is something that becomes part of who they are and in some families, is proudly passed from one generation to the next. Across Qantas, our cabin crew complete thousands of hours of training every year to ensure they are prepared for any situation on-board, but it is their warmth, professionalism and genuine care for customers that people remember long after a flight has landed."
