Celebrating International Flight Attendant Day at Alaska Airlines 

“I absolutely love people, getting to travel and see the world, meet new people. Every day is a new adventure,” said Tilli Buchanan, flight attendant, SEA, who became a flight attendant at 40 years old. “Everyone’s journey is different. All you have to do is have a desire and dream big and bright.”  

“I enjoy my job and try to have fun,” said Chris Cardenas, flight attendant, LAX. “Interacting with people, the different walks of life that come on that plane every day—people losing someone, somebody’s going to a wedding, you’re taking people to see a family member they haven’t seen in 30 years—that’s one thing they teach you when you become flight attendants: ‘always think about what that person’s going through that day.’ You never know what they’re going through but you can find out and at least make the experience a little bit easier.” 

“I’ve enjoyed this whole journey,” said Rita Daniels, flight attendant, LAX. “I love seeing children who obviously have an interest in becoming a pilot or a flight attendant–passing out the wings is my favorite. More than 20 years later, here I am, and still loving it!”

“I enjoy most working in the Main Cabin. My people are the people who aren’t comfortable traveling, my people who are on the discounted ticket. I like those people. I have something to offer them because I am one of those people,” said Keith Chadd, flight attendant, SEA. “I know why they hired me, I know why they hired you, it’s because you are a hero. It’s because you will never leave me behind.”

“I’ve always loved being a flight attendant from the time I started,” said Sylvia Newbill, flight attendant, PDX. “I got hired with Alaska in 1991, Alaska’s people are the secret sauce.” 

“When your peers recognize you as a legend, that’s the highest honor, it goes right in there with the guest telling me that that was one of the best flights. I am so grateful I followed my dream,” said Tanya Santana, flight attendant, SEA. 

“We make connections with people in 45 minutes or less,” said Peter Oxentenko, flight attendant instructor, PDX. “Everybody that works here—they’re still the reason I’m here for 19 years. They know what they’re doing and they care about one another.”

“I enjoy people, have a passion for travel, and I wanted an adventure,” said Jennifer Levcun, flight attendant, PAE. “It’s my hometown (Seattle), I knew that they were a safe airline and thought ‘this is a perfect fit for my life and family.’ I was thrilled when I got hired.”