“Not Sustainable for My Mental and Physical Health”: Ex-SIA Cabin Crew Member Shares Job Realities

While cabin crew life often appears glamorous, with frequent travel to vibrant cities and stays in high-end hotels, former Singapore Airlines (SIA) crew member Dion Ong offers a more nuanced perspective. In a TikTok video, the 27-year-old revealed his reasons for leaving SIA, highlighting both the perks and challenges of the role.

One key issue Dion cited was limited career progression within the ranks of SIA’s flight crew, noting that advancing from flight steward to in-flight manager requires considerable time and effort. After four years, he found the work repetitive, with regular travel to the same destinations offering little personal satisfaction. The loss of his grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored his desire to spend more time with family, especially relatives in Malaysia, whom he couldn’t visit for two years.

Dion also pointed to the toll the irregular work schedule took on his health, saying, “It’s not sustainable for me in terms of mental and physical health.” The constant time-zone shifts impacted his body clock and well-being, ultimately prompting him to leave the industry.

Despite the challenges, Dion acknowledged the unique benefits of being cabin crew in a separate TikTok post. He described the excitement of waking up in destinations like New York or Tokyo and the opportunity to receive world-class training that opens doors in the service industry. He also valued SIA’s staff travel perks, which allowed him to take his parents on overseas trips and foster a sense of gratitude.

SIA offers competitive pay, Dion noted, with non-degree holders earning approximately $4,000 to $5,000 per month, or up to $7,000 in a good month. Now pursuing a communications degree at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Dion also manages a small jewelry and crystal business with his sister.