A well-traveled flight attendant has revealed the highs and lows of his adventurous career – from encountering lightning strikes and battling severe sleep deprivation to checking off some of the world’s most breathtaking landmarks.
Mateusz Kowalewicz’s passion for travel sparked during his teenage years when he embarked on a school exchange trip to Israel, marking his inaugural international journey. Starting with budget-friendly explorations across Europe, including hitchhiking to cut costs, he eventually pursued a career as a flight attendant to combine his love for travel with earning a living. Originally from Białystok, Poland, Mateusz, now 29, calls Warsaw home while jetting around the globe for work.
In an interview with Polish media, he described the dynamic nature of his job, stating, “Every month is unique, given that my airline operates three different aircraft types, ensuring a diverse and ever-changing roster.”
Reflecting on his most significant travel accomplishment, Mateusz proudly shared, “I have visited all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World,’ a feat largely facilitated by my job – having explored four during layovers and utilizing staff tickets for another.”
However, the job is not without its challenges. Recalling a harrowing experience, Mateusz recounted a flight that was struck by lightning, necessitating a return to Warsaw for safety precautions. Despite such incidents, he remains undeterred, highlighting the unpredictability as one of the job’s most exciting aspects.
His adventures have led him to unique encounters, such as attending an American christening in Chicago after meeting a Polish priest during a layover. Additionally, his career has afforded him thrilling experiences like skydiving in Dubai and taking a seaplane ride in Mauritius.
When asked about his travel aspirations, Mateusz expressed a desire to climb Kilimanjaro and explore Africa further, a continent he has yet to fully experience compared to his travels in Australia.
For aspiring flight attendants, Mateusz emphasized the importance of language skills, along with meeting specific requirements like being 18 years old, holding a high school diploma, and being able to swim in case of a water landing, while also avoiding visible tattoos.
If you have a travel tale to share, feel free to reach out to us at webtravel@reachplc.com.
