50s

EasyJet says the number of cabin crew over the age of 50 has more than doubled – with over-60s almost quadrupling – and so it has extended a new recruitment push

Budget airline easyJet is launching a new recruitment drive to hire more older workers as cabin crew.

The no-frills carrier says it follows the success of a previous initiative in 2022, with the number of cabin crew over the age of 50 more than doubling to over 600, and over-60s almost quadrupling.

With a new recruitment push for hundreds of new crew roles for 2027 set to open next month, the airline wants to encourage even more to join.

Among those to take the plunge was Francesca Hicks, 64, a former secretary and nurse for those living with dementia. She attended a taster open day, submitted her formal application, and completed a series of interviews before joining her easyJet cabin crew training course. Eighteen months on, she is now a fully trained cabin crew member and has taken to the skies over 250 times.

Francesca said: “When the opportunity to join easyJet as cabin crew came up, I jumped at the chance. I knew I already held all the skills required for the job, but it gave me another way to use my communication, organisation and interpersonal skills in a new and exciting setting.

“The reception both I and my fellow new joiners have received has been overwhelmingly positive. This, and the experiences I’ve had over the past 18 months, have given me a confidence and sense of fulfilment that I’ll take with me through the next stage of my career.”

EasyJet says the new wave of older workers has brought years of experience, and signficant enthusiasm.

It added that many people assume cabin crew is a job for younger workers, and worried they would be the oldest in the team.

Michael Brown, its director of cabin services at easyJet, said: “We want more over-50s to apply as they not only bring their existing skills to excel in a career at easyJet, but also a wealth of life experience that is appreciated by our customers and colleagues alike, which is at the heart of the fantastic service our crew are known for.”

Employment minister Andrew Western said: “Supportive employers like easyJet know the breadth of experience over-50s can bring to the workforce and it shows what can be achieved when this is valued.”

EasyJet says the increase in more over 50s had also brought a strong “culture of mentorship” amongst easyJet’s crew. Over half of its older workers surveyed said they feel like a mentor to younger colleagues.

Nearly seven in 10 crew say that travellers of all ages are happy to see different generations represented on board.

Applications open from September, with opportunities available across the airline’s UK bases.

Research suggests the biggest regret among over-50s is not travelling more, with many still having bucket-list destinations they want to tick off.

A poll of 2,000 adults found New Zealand, Japan and Australia were the locations the older generation most wished to visit but had never been to. Canada, the Maldives and Iceland also feature in the top 10 destinations which remain on bucket lists. Taking spontaneous trips without overthinking it (21%), going to bucket list destinations (17%) and saying ‘yes’ to adventures rather than prioritising work (14%) are also things over 50s wish they had experienced more.

But it’s not just older people who have wanderlust, with 42% of Gen Z and 47% of Millennials also wishing they had been able to travel more than they have so far.

Seeing the Northern lights tops the once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences they most want to have (41% of Gen Z and 42% of Millennials).

It also emerged 71% of all adults polled are adamant it is never too late to make up for lost time, and many believe seeing new places (37%) or experiencing natural phenomena (18%) will positively impact their lives.

The study was commissioned by Icelandair, which has launched a competition to giveaway tickets to see the next solar eclipse in Iceland – in 170 years – as well as a visit to see the country in September, in a bid to reduce FOMO.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Travel has never been more accessible, but our research shows once-in-a-lifetime experiences still sit firmly on people’s bucket lists and too many never get ticked off, leaving them with regrets about the things they didn’t do.

“We wanted to turn that idea on its head and encourage people to stop putting unforgettable experiences off and go live them.

“And if you’re going to think big, why not think really big? That’s why we’re giving someone the chance to experience the next total solar eclipse visible from Iceland — even though it won’t happen for another 170 years.

“With many often waiting for the right time, it’s a reminder some experiences are worth making happen — whether that’s this year, next year, or something you pass down for generations to come because you never know what might be on the bucket list of your future great-great-grandchildren, or give them the chance to say, ‘I was there.’”

For all adults, the top barrier to achieving their travel goals was lack of financial security (44%), followed by family responsibilities (24%) and having other priorities that get in the way (22%). A further 19% admitted they are always waiting for the ‘right time’, with this rising to 31% of Gen Zs.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found the average adult predicts they’ll experience five truly once-in-a-lifetime moments. But many hope this will increase for their grandchildren’s generation, with 47% hopeful they’ll be able to make the most of life, while 38% want them to go out and enjoy the natural world more.

The spokesperson for Icelandair added: “Travel gives us a great opportunity for lifetime experiences and this week’s eclipse is the perfect reminder to start making those plans.”

Top bucket list destinations for over 50s

1. New Zealand
2. Japan
3. Australia
4. Canada
5. Maldives
6. Iceland
7. Norway
8. Italy
9. Egypt
10. Vietnam

Top 20 things over 50s wish they had experienced

1. Travelled more
2. Saved more money
3. Not lost touch with friends
4. Not worried too much about what others think
5. Make the most of life
6. Looked after their health
7. Made the most of their youth
8. Spent enough time with loved ones before they passed away
9. Learned a second language
10. Exercised more
11. Learned to play an instrument
12. Said how they really felt more often
13. Spent enough time with family
14. Taken spontaneous trips without overthinking it
15. Gained more qualifications
16. Not stayed in an unhappy job for too long
17. Been more spontaneous generally
18. Travelled to bucket list destinations
19. Not worked too much
20. Taken more risks

YOU can step back nearly 100 years into the glamourous age of train travel, as a vintage train experience is launching this month.

The London Transport Museum is allowing people to go back in time on 1930s and 1950s carriages.

Choose from single or return journeys along the Metropolitan line which start in Amersham and go to underground stations at either Watford or Harrow-on-the-Hill.

There are two vintage trains to pick from, the first being from the 1930s.

The 1938 stock train has been restored and is made up of four cars with green and red seating and Art Deco light fittings.

This style of train served London on several deep-level tube lines for half a century.

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The second has 1950s British Rail 4TC carriages which will be hauled by Sarah Siddons.

Sarah Siddons is one of the few electric locomotives still in service – and was named after a Welsh actress.

It was used in service on the Metropolitan line until 1961.

One of the rides will go through what’s called the ‘secret’ railway line, that is rarely used called the North Curve.

It’s a section of the Metropolitan line which connects Croxley and Rickmansworth and bypasses Moor Park station, but it doesn’t feature on tube maps.

The event is across two dates only between July 25-26 with single and return journeys available.

Single journeys start from £17 per person for adults and £7 for children.

The event is being run by the London Transport Museum which is set to undergo a £26million makeover by the end of 2030.