Ciara Milson, Head of Sales at Business First Partnership, shares her unique insight into the world of corporate travel and explains how her first-hand experience as cabin crew enables her to deliver the best service for our clients.
Travel has been and always will be one of the biggest passions in my life. My first flight was to Portugal when I was just six weeks old and I’ve lost track of the countless trips I’ve been on since.
When I was growing up, holidays started the second I stepped foot in the airport. I loved the buzz I got from getting onto a plane and was fascinated by all things aviation. I thought the crews were all so glamorous and I really looked up to them.
After I finished school I couldn’t wait to start travelling. My first solo trip was to New Zealand and Australia where I spent four months exploring everything these amazing places have to offer. This is when the travel bug really set in so, knowing I wanted to keep the adventure going, I applied for a job at British Airways to be part of the cabin crew. After two assessment days I got the email saying I had secured the job which I immediately jumped at.
I loved my time as crew. It gave me the chance to meet people from all walks of life and taught me so much about different cultures around the world.
I had plenty of incredible moments with BA, but a few of my favourites included swimming with wild dolphins in Oman and trekking up the Andes in Chile on horseback being led by actual cowboys! The very best moment though, was being able to treat my mum to a business class seat to New York – her reaction is such a special memory for me.
As much as I enjoyed my experience as cabin crew, it eventually came time for me to move on to a new challenge. I was sure I wanted to stay in the travel sector and I didn’t want to be part of a large corporation, which is when I came across BFP. I immediately knew this was the company I wanted to work for and from the very first conversation it felt like the right fit.
The majority of my time at BA was spent looking after business and first-class passengers which prepared me perfectly for what I do now. I learned about the intricacies of business travel and developed a unique perspective that my current clients find invaluable.
Some of the most important things the experience taught me were how to anticipate wants, how to go above and beyond to deliver the best service, how to work under pressure and to have faith in my own instincts.
I believe I truly understand the unique needs of the corporate traveller who’s constantly jetting off here, there and everywhere. I know that their specific wants have nothing to do with being fussy but are rather because they know what they need to ensure they arrive happy, rested and ready to hit the ground running at their destination.
My time as cabin crew has definitely left me with a few top tips for travelling long haul, be it for work or for fun. My tips for travellers include:
- Never go barefoot! You would be amazed by how many people I saw going in and out of the loos without shoes – they really aren’t cleaned that often, so bring slippers for your flight.
- Always pack snacks. Plane food often deserves its bad reputation, so be prepared, especially if you have allergies.
- Bring your cabin crew some goodies and hand them over at the boarding door. They’re working very long hours and can always do with some treats to keep them going. If you look after the crew, they will look after you!
I feel so lucky to work in the travel industry, sharing my skills and experiences with our clients. Every client is different, and getting to know them and their needs always presents a unique challenge. I feel so satisfied when I hear that we have understood these wants perfectly and that we have delivered a great service. It’s what motivates me to keep delivering day in and day out.
