Skip to content

What is life really like working in the aviation industry?

Lauren HirstNorth West
BBC Captain Pete Smith, who is sitting in the flight deck, is wearing a white shirt with epaulettes and a striped tie. BBC
Captain Pete Smith has worked in the aviation industry for 30 years

Pete Smith always secures the best seat on the plane.

"No matter the time of year, we always get some sunshine when we go to work," said Capt Smith, who has worked in the aviation industry for 30 years after deciding to pursue his dreams following a decade working for British Gas.

"It's a fantastic office, there's worse places to work."

Bank holiday weekends can be even busier for pilots and cabin crews, with Smith's alarm clock going off at 03:30 BST for a flight to Croatia.

"I think 06:05 was our departure time," he said. "We tend to go out and back on short haul and then the long haul you literally stay in the hotel overnight.

"The next lunchtime, wherever you are, you fly back. So it's a busy schedule, the height of summer, a really busy period."

Although Smith has flown a countless number of passengers during his long career, he said one in particular keeps him grounded.

"There was a family I met and they came on five Tui holidays because they weren't sure how long their son Jack was going to be around," he explained.

"I managed to get him in the flight deck, got a flight deck visit and Jack is now my best buddy.

"He's a great little lad and he's the bravest person I know - he really is."

Charlie Silver is standing in the middle of the aisle on a plane. She is wearing a navy dress with a patterned neck tie and a flight attendant hat.
Charlie Silver has worked as a cabin crew member for 11 years

Flight attendant Charlie Silver, who has been in the industry for 11 years, shares insights into her working life on social media.

Her TikTok videos have been watched millions of times and she has since expanded on to YouTube.

"I love the spontaneity of not having a routine," she said of her career. "It just really suits my life and doing shift work.

"I always say to people 'it's not a job, it's a lifestyle'.

She said it could be nerve-wracking when you turn up for work "especially when you're new and you don't know anyone".

"But then you kind of get used to that feeling of 'right, today's a new day.'

"We've got 800-plus crew in Manchester, so sometimes crew have been here for 20 years and they're still not flying with people that they know.

"So you're constantly meeting new people every day."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.