A well-traveled flight attendant has revealed the highs and lows of his adventurous career, encountering lightning strikes and extreme sleep deprivation while exploring some of the world’s most extraordinary landmarks.
Mateusz Kowalewicz, originally from Białystok, Poland, found his passion for travel during a school exchange trip to Israel as a teenager. This sparked his wanderlust, leading him to backpack across Europe on a tight budget, eventually inspiring him to pursue a career as a flight attendant to combine work with his love for exploration. Now 29 years old, Mateusz resides in Warsaw and travels the globe for his job.
Describing the dynamic nature of his work, Mateusz shared, “Every month is unique for me. With my airline operating three different types of aircraft, each month brings new experiences and challenges.” One of his proudest travel accomplishments is visiting all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’, facilitated by his job that allowed him to explore four wonders during layovers and travel to another using staff benefits.
Despite the thrilling aspects of his job, Mateusz recalls a frightening incident when his plane was struck by lightning, prompting an emergency return to Warsaw for safety precautions. He also highlighted the struggles of coping with sleep disturbances during long layovers in different time zones, particularly in Eastern destinations.
Finding joy in the unpredictability of his travels, Mateusz shared a memorable experience of attending an American christening in Chicago after meeting a Polish priest during a layover, showcasing the serendipitous encounters his job often brings. His role has also granted him the opportunity to partake in exhilarating activities such as skydiving in Dubai and taking a seaplane ride in Mauritius.
Looking ahead, Mateusz dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring more of Africa, a continent he has yet to fully discover after Australia. For aspiring flight attendants, he emphasized the importance of language skills and meeting specific requirements such as being 18 years old, holding a high school diploma, swimming proficiency for water landings, and maintaining a professional appearance without visible tattoos.
If you have a travel tale to share, reach out to us at webtravel@reachplc.com.
