Flight Attendants Reveal the Secrets of Their Home Cities

Ever wondered when's the best time to visit Paris, or where to find the tastiest food in Vietnam? How about unlocking Beirut’s hidden gems, or immersing yourself in the one of the world’s best snorkelling hotspots?
Date 20 June 2018

Flight attendants from our 20 member airlines have been revealing some insider secrets about their home cities, and we’re excited to be able to share them with you.

We went behind-the-scenes at a recent SkyTeam photoshoot to speak with the flight attendants who’d travelled from across the world to take part – the perfect opportunity to ask them for their travel top tips!

It was a busy few days, with cameras snapping and lights flashing from dusk until dawn. Nevertheless, each flight attendant was happy to grab a moment with us and share the places they go, the things they do and the foods they eat when they’re in their home city.

Now we can’t wait to start exploring!

You won’t find these invaluable hints in any travel guides; they are exclusive to us.

  • "The ‘Strange Slope’ in Xiamen’s Dongping Mountain is famous for the unexplained phenomenon of vehicles being able to move uphill unpowered. Try it for yourself!" - Kexin Ren, Xiamen Air | Home City: Xiamen

  • "Typical Romanian food is hearty and delicious. In Bucharest, try Sarmale (cabbage filled with pork and rice) or Salata de icre (tasty fish roe paste)." - Adela Novac, Tarom | Home City: Bucharest

  • "The Red Sea is one of the best places in the world for snorkeling. There are beautiful coral gardens off the coast of Jeddah." - Maria Kastrioti, Saudia | Home City: Jeddah

  • "Visit Seoul in April when millions of cherry blossoms burst into bloom. You’ll be stunned by the beautiful scenery – it feels like the streets are carpeted in snow on a sunny day!" - Kim Yujin, Korean Air | Home City: Seoul

  • "Amsterdam has more bicycles than inhabitants – you must ride one! You can rent them anywhere and there are bike lanes everywhere." - Juliet Van Der Maas, KLM | Home City: Amsterdam

  • "Take a day trip from Milan to Lake Maggiore, where you’ll find enchanting little islands, the stunning Baroque palace and elaborate Italian gardens." - Michela Venturi, Alitalia | Home City: Milan

  • "Nairobi National Park is the standout highlight of Nairobi. As you drive into the city from the airport you can spot giraffes, zebras, lions – so keep you camera handy!" - Clara Muiruri, Kenya Airways | Home City: Nairobi

  • "People in Bali are so open and will happily share with their knowledge on how to cook local food, dance and even play traditional musical instruments." - Putu Dianti Purnami, Garuda Indonesia | Home City: Denpasar

  • "I love Midtown Atlanta because you get a little bit of everything and everyone. There’s so much to do and it’s filled with people from many different backgrounds." - Princeton Richardson, Delta | Home City: Atlanta

  • "Prague’s Old Town Square is like being back in 15th century. At every hour, crowds gather in front of the Old Town hall to watch the Apostles march on the historic clock." - Hana Drtilová, CSA | Home City: Prague

  • "To discover the beauty of Shanghai, travel by metro. The city has an elaborate metro network, which connects every tourist spot and shopping centre." - Chen linna, China Eastern | Home City: Shanghai

  • "Christmas is one the best times of year to visit Paris – the lights are spectacular!" - Sophie Coursault, Air France | Home City: Paris

  • "I-LAN is only an hour’s drive from Taipei and features a hot spring, beautiful countryside, surfing, and delicious food." - Hsiao Ya Yun, China Airlines | Home City: Taipei

  • "A trip to Buenos Aires wouldn’t be complete without a trip to The Iguazu Falls in Misiones – the largest waterfall system in the world!" - Julieta Volz, Aerolíneas | Home City: Buenos Aires

  • "Coyoacán is a beautiful neighbourhood in the centre of Mexico City. It’s become an arts and history hub that reveals our typical culture and colonial style." - Laura Tello, Aeroméxico | Home City: Mexico City

  • "Neptuna is on the beach in Valencia and serves the best paella in the world. You must try the arroz a banda (seafood)!" - Laura Carballo, Air Europa | Home City: Valencia

  • "Moscow is one of the greenest cities globally with 40% covered by vegetation. There are dozens of leisure and nature parks to explore." - Ksenia Fedushkina, Aeroflót | Home City: Moscow

  • “Cong Cafe Phan Xich Long in Ho Chi Minh City is simple, rustic with good food and great coffee – a great place to meet friends.” - Selena Tran, Vietnam Airlines | Home City: Ho Chi Minh City

  • "Explore Beirut’s old neighborhoods like Mar Mikhael. You’ll find everything from vinyl stores and small bookshops to breathtaking architecture and graffiiti." - Melissa Rahme, MEA | Home City: Beirut