6 Myths about the kulula crew - debunked!

Myth #1: It’s all about the kulula humour, glitz and glamour

The role of a flight attendant is multi-faceted, requiring you to multitask as a caregiver in the sky, a safety officer and an airline brand ambassador. Besides delivering witty inflight safety announcements or looking their best in stylish attire when serving passengers, the kulula crew are prepared to deal with pretty much any crisis onboard - health, fire, technical, logistical, you name it! “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and serve passengers”, says Kelly Middleditch, kulula cabin crew member. “We’ve had to minimise our contact with our crew, passengers, sanitise our work areas more frequently and spend less time in the aisle. Our announcements have changed to remind passengers of the new government regulations and to encourage them to hand-sanitise. As front line workers, engaging safely with our customers is our priority so we wear appropriate personal protective equipment, masks, wash our hands frequently and have most of our interactions with our customers during the boarding”. “I also have to remind passengers to ensure that their masks cover their nose and mouth”, says Shaziya Moosa.

Myth #2: Flying kulula around Mzansi is a 9 to 5 job

Myth busted! Being a Cabin Crew member at kulula is more than a job - it’s a lifestyle full of adventure. That’s because no day is ever the same when putting planes, travel, and people in your program of daily activities. Sometimes you can experience up to three or four local destinations in one day. This requires packing different sets of clothing to cater to the weather differences that come your way. And being part of an aviation group operating two airlines, it’s not uncommon for Cabin Crew to swap kulula uniform for the blues and reds of British Airways (operated by Comair). With a different airline, comes a different set of flight procedures!

Add to the mix, curfews and new travel restrictions to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and you’re bound to end up with a very dynamic flight roster. But what makes this career all the more interesting, is having to adapt to the needs of the many passengers you meet and working with different Cabin Crew members on each flight. “Knowing that I've made a difference in someone's life, is the real motivation behind what I do”, says kulula flight attendant, Nomvuyo Gwebu. So next time you encounter kulula Cabin Crew on your trip, know that they’re a highly adaptable group of individuals with a passion for people and all things travel.

Myth #3: The Cabin Crew life is reserved for women

Think again! The first flight attendants were men. When women could fly professionally, discriminatory policies were put in place to make it harder for male Cabin Crew members and female pilots to get hired.

Fast forward to the kulula era of air travel and because of the gender and cultural diversity of our Cabin Crew, we've thrived as South Africa’s favourite green airline. “There are many men who have made a success out of this career. I think it’s a career path that offers flexibility and the opportunity to meet new people”, says Donavan Naidoo, kulula cabin controller. So what does it really take to become a kulula Cabin Crew member? To be a cut above the rest of the competition during the rigorous recruitment process requires a specific skillset achieved with an accredited Cabin Crew members licence which is issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

Myth #4: Cabin crew have a very short career lifespan

Gone are the days when a career as a flight attendant was a dead-end job with a limit of a few years. At kulula, our Cabin Crew members have decades of combined flight experience. Some are industry newcomers establishing their careers in the sky, while others are seasoned veterans with many years of in-flight service under their belts. There can be plenty of opportunities for career progression as a flight attendant. Move up the ranks as a senior Cabin Crew member by managing different teams or the entire crew on our aircraft, train recruits and existing crew members. Just ask Marion Fernandes, who was once Africa’s longest-serving flight attendant.

Myth #5: You can’t have a family when jet setting across Mzansi for a living

Finding a work-life balance in any career can be a challenge. And although kulula Cabin Crew life can be demanding, integrating it with family life is possible. “Ensure that you have the right support at home to accommodate the unusual working hours,” says Marion Fernandez, retired kulula flight attendant and single mother of three. “As Cabin Crew members, we are lucky enough to have more time off than the average employee. I take full advantage of these days to spend quality time with my family in Durban”, says Shireen Botha

Myth #6: Pilots are the stars of the aviation world.

We love our Cabin Crew and pilots all the same and recognise their vital role in getting kulula fans to their destinations safely. But there is something about the human touch which makes all the difference to the flight experience. So if you’re a nervous first-time flyer wondering how you’ll overcome the fear of travelling thousands of feet above the ground or a frequent flyer wanting to make the most of your time in the sky without a worry in the world - you can take comfort in knowing that the kulula crew are on hand to make your flight experience fun, easier and safer. “I love flying because I get to meet people from all walks of life”, says Shaziya Moosa. “Flying is my passion and childhood dream”, says Anastasia Phekun, kulula Cabin Crew member.

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