How did I become a Flight Attendant with LOT Polish Airlines? The story of Malgorzata Nowotnik

“It’s who travel with – for years” features a series of video interviews with people who once worked for LOT Polish Airlines and formed Poland’s most recognisable brand overseas. It makes a reference to the carrier’s latest campaign – “It’s who you travel with”. 

 In on-camera interviews, former LOT Polish Airlines employees share with the audience previously unknown stories from the history of LOT Polish Airlines, which will mark its 95^th anniversary on 1 January.]

 Małgorzata Nowotnik, featured in the next instalment of the “It’s who travel with – for years” series, who worked as a flight attendant for LOT Polish Airlines from 1971 to 1986, talked about, among other things, travelling back in the days when it was only available to a handful of people, unusual situations on board and the characteristics of the perfect flight attendant.

Małgorzata Nowotnik first came on board LOT Polish Airlines from her job as an aircraft handler at Ławica Airport in Poznań. Not only was she taken to the clouds by her desire to travel and meet interesting people, but also by love. In fact, it was at LOT Polish Airlines that Małgorzata met her future husband and captain, Marian Nowotnik. So she spent 15 years working on board the national carrier. When the son of an aviation couple, Piotr, was born, Małgorzata moved on to passenger ground handling.

The profession of flight attendant has enjoyed prestige for years. It is also in great demand – there are sometimes more applicants per job opening than for an elite university. Was this also the case in the 1970s and 1980s? You are welcome to watch.