Flight Attendant Says Holidays Don’t Feel Like Holidays Anymore

An international flight attendant says holidays no longer feel like holidays, describing how the very act of taking leave can resemble work. Estelle Jones, who posts on TikTok under the handle @stell.lydia, used a recent video to explain why the usual excitement of time off can fade for crew members who spend their careers moving from one destination to the next.

Jones, who has been in the cabin crew role for about a year, said the routine surrounding a break often undermines the notion of a holiday. She described the process of preparing for leave—packing a suitcase, heading to the airport—as an extension of work rather than a respite. “Something they don't tell you about being cabin crew is holidays aren't going to feel like holidays anymore,” she stated in the clip. In her narration, she added: “Because what do you mean, I've finally got my leave, I've been working back to back flights and now I have to pack a suitcase again, I have to go to the airport again.”

Jones went on to outline other facets of this paradox: adjusting to different time zones, sleeping in unfamiliar beds and continuing to travel even when she is technically on holiday. “I have to sit on a flight, again. I have to adjust to a whole new time zone, again, and sleep in a bed that's not my own, again,” she continued. She also shared the emotional nuance of missing home a little more as time off becomes a repeated cycle rather than a true break.

The content has resonated with some viewers while prompting others to share their own experiences. In the video’s comments, one follower wrote that they had been with a crew for two years and had not taken a proper vacation since, while another said they sometimes choose to book leave simply to stay in their own bed for a week. Conversely, a different perspective appeared from participants who see travel during days off or leave as an opportunity to explore: “Went to 120 countries. Enjoy it while it lasts.” Overall, the comments reflect a spectrum of attitudes toward “holiday” among crew members who frequently cross borders for work.

The broader conversation around flight crew lives on social media includes other crew members who have previously used platforms like TikTok to offer insider perspectives. For example, Cher Killough has posted about the strains of the job, including situations where disruptive passenger behavior tests airline safety norms. In a separate post, she described becoming frustrated when a passenger ignores safety instructions because a prior flight attendant did not enforce them, noting that she often has to step in discreetly after a long day in the cabin.

The Daily Mail’s reporting on Jones’ comments highlights how the lifestyle of cabin crew can shape attitudes toward leisure and time off. While the work affords the opportunity to travel widely and visit new destinations, it also creates a paradox where holidays feel less like holidays and more like another organized set of travel tasks. The discussion underscores a growing trend of current and former flight crew members using social media to convey the realities of life in the skies, contributing to a nuanced picture of the culture surrounding travel and entertainment. The remarks by Jones, along with related anecdotes from other crew members, offer a candid glimpse into how modern airline work can redefine personal time and the meaning of a break for those whose careers are defined by international routes and irregular schedules.