作為國泰航空的資深機艙人員，吳安迪先生與朱凱琳女士已經習慣以另一種尺度去衡量距離。對佢哋嚟講，飛往另一座城市往往只係工作日常嘅另一日。
幾年前，吳安迪把呢種對旅遊嘅熟悉變成更個人嘅事情。佢知道自己第二日要喺新加坡飛往香港嘅晚班，於是打包著制服，登上一架去台北嘅班機，喺當日嘅生日驚喜咗當時嘅女朋友朱凱琳。
“我係嗰度呆咗唔到二十四小時，”48歲嘅機上服務經理吳安迪咁講。“但呢次經歷成為我哋第一次海外假期嘅共同回憶。”
呢個舉動留咗深刻印象喺36歲嘅朱凱琳身上——佢係高級副艙長。“大多數人都唔會為咗一晚遠行咁樣走咁遠，”佢話。“但 Andy 同我講：‘今日係你生日。我一定要去。’”
而家結婚四年，呢對情侶仍然喺忙碌嘅飛行時間表中搵到喺同一時間同一個地方出現嘅方法。當佢哋嘅日程吻合時，佢哋會去新嘅目的地旅行。佢哋亦善用喺香港嘅轉機時間，呢度係國泰航空嘅基地，亦係吳安迪嘅家人居住嘅地方。
加入國泰超過十多年嘅時間，呢間航空公司依然深深地融入佢哋嘅工作同私生活，藉由共同嘅職業把佢哋連結喺一齊，同時創造出超越工作嘅回憶。
HONG KONG AS A SECOND HOME
Both Mr Ng and Ms Zhu joined Cathay Pacific – he in 2007, she in 2013 – in search of adventure and the chance to see more of the world. For the Hong Kong-born, Singapore-raised Mr Ng, it also offered a way to reconnect with his roots and spend more time with his family.
Ms Zhu had never been to Hong Kong before joining the airline. Her first visit came during flight attendant training. Having since explored the city through Mr Ng’s eyes and spent time with his family between flights, she now knows it well beyond its tourist attractions.
“It felt meaningful to share part of my childhood with Kailin, such as where I used to live and the route I took to walk to school,” said Mr Ng of bringing her to his old neighbourhood for the first time.
Looking back, the couple find it difficult to separate their personal story from their professional one. Cathay Pacific has remained a constant through key milestones, including their marriage and, this year, the airline’s 80th anniversary celebrations. Next year, Mr Ng will mark his 20th year with the airline.
LEARNING TO FLY
Behind every flight is rigorous training. As they quickly learned, delivering Cathay Pacific’s service and safety standards involves far more than passengers may realise.
The physical nature of the job, for example, is often overlooked. “We can easily clock 10,000 steps from all the walking we do, on top of tasks such as pushing food carts and helping with bags in the overhead compartments,” said Ms Zhu. “We may also need to step in as first aiders or firefighters.”
Cathay Pacific has also rolled out digital tools to support cabin crew, from apps for taking meal orders to verifying passenger manifests. These innovations help crew work more efficiently while allowing them to focus on passengers.
Having been with Cathay Pacific since the opening of its Singapore base nearly 20 years ago, Mr Ng now mentors younger cabin crew. He is often the person colleagues turn to when challenges arise, whether helping an unwell passenger or reassuring a nervous flyer.
“Every flight is different and we must learn how to manage the unexpected,” said Mr Ng. “It can be challenging, but that is what makes the job exciting and fulfilling. I also appreciate Cathay’s supportive work culture, where colleagues look out for one another.”
NAVIGATING TURBULENT TIMES
Like airlines around the world, Cathay Pacific faced one of its biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flights were grounded and many employees went on unpaid leave.
For the couple, however, the period also reinforced the sense of community they had experienced throughout their careers.
“We stayed in touch with colleagues virtually and management shared regular updates,” said Ms Zhu. “We felt supported by the company and had confidence that operations would eventually resume.”
The time spent on the ground also strengthened their relationship. “The pandemic marked our first time living in close quarters for a prolonged period,” said Ms Zhu. “We got into arguments but worked through them together. That experience helped me see a future with Andy as my life partner.”
AN ENDURING CONNECTION
For both, the human connection remains the most rewarding part of the job. More than a decade later, Ms Zhu still remembers the elderly passenger who hugged her after she found his passport wedged between the seat cushions following a flight.
Mr Ng, meanwhile, said the airline has changed him in unexpected ways. “Before joining Cathay, I was reserved and quiet. As I rose through the ranks, I became more confident and responsible. What keeps me motivated is knowing that I can make a difference to someone’s journey.”
For Ms Zhu, the airline has become inseparable from many of life’s defining moments. “Cathay Pacific is where we built friendships, met each other, navigated difficult periods together and grew into the people we are today,” she said. “I hope Cathay continues to grow while remaining a big part of our lives for many years to come.”
Be a part of Cathay’s 80th anniversary celebrations and rediscover the memories and moments that have shaped its bond with Singapore.
