The world of aviation, often perceived as glamorous and exciting, holds secrets and experiences that remain hidden behind the smiles of flight attendants and the closed doors of the cockpit. A former flight attendant, Alanna Pow, has recently shared some of her most startling encounters, shedding light on the realities of life at 30,000 feet.

Alanna joined the cabin crew at the young age of 19, embarking on a three-year journey of short-haul flights. While she enjoyed the perks of the job, she also witnessed events that would challenge her perspective and leave her stunned.

“What happens on flights is crazy,” Alanna confessed, hinting at the unpredictable and often intense nature of her work environment. She revealed a side of air travel that passengers rarely see, from medical emergencies to the complex social dynamics among the crew.

One of the most unsettling realities Alanna encountered was passenger deaths onboard. "Passengers die on planes more than people think," she stated, highlighting a somber aspect of air travel that is often overlooked.

She recounted a particularly distressing incident on a flight from Melbourne to Cairns. An elderly man had been in the restroom for an unusually long time, prompting concern from the crew. Upon opening the door, they discovered that he had passed away.

“On our way from Melbourne to Cairns, an old man was in the toilet for half an hour or so. We opened the door to check on him and his body fell out onto my colleague. He was unresponsive and his poor wife was on the plane,” Alanna shared, emphasizing the shock and emotional impact of the situation.

The crew immediately initiated emergency procedures, attempting to resuscitate the man using the onboard defibrillator. Despite their efforts, they were unable to revive him.

“We have a defibrillator onboard so we tried to resuscitate him," she explained, highlighting the importance of medical training for flight attendants. However, in some cases, medical intervention is simply not enough.

The situation then became even more delicate, as the crew had to manage the deceased passenger and his grieving wife for the remainder of the flight. “So, we just had to lay the passenger’s body down on the floor until we landed," Alanna revealed, illustrating the difficult decisions that must be made in such circumstances.

Alanna emphasized the extensive training flight attendants undergo to prepare for a wide range of emergencies, including medical situations, security threats, and evacuations. "What flight attendants go through and what we have to be trained in makes me sad. I was only 21 at the time and it’s such a big responsibility.”

Beyond the medical emergencies, Alanna also shed light on the romantic relationships that often blossom between crew members and even passengers. The close proximity and shared experiences of life on the road (or in the air) can create intense bonds.

Alanna admitted to having flings with three pilots and even a passenger who slipped her his business card in first class. This candid revelation offered a glimpse into the hidden social dynamics that unfold behind the scenes of commercial flights.

“Some pilots are so flirty that you get warned about them by other colleagues and they can do what they want, because they’re in charge of the plane," Alanna noted, highlighting the power dynamics that can exist within the cockpit.

She recounted instances of pilots inviting her into the cockpit during takeoff and landing, taking advantage of their authority. "Sometimes they would see my name on the sheet and invite me into the cockpit for take-off and landing," she said.

Alanna also revealed that pilots often had girlfriends or wives but still engaged in romantic relationships with flight attendants during layovers. "One pilot would come over to mine when he had layovers even though he had a girlfriend, which was really bad," she admitted, acknowledging the ethical complexities of these relationships.

The frequent stopovers in different cities create opportunities for the crew to socialize and form connections. "When you have stopovers, all the cabin crew and pilots spend it together," Alanna explained, underscoring the importance of camaraderie and support within the industry.

Drawing from her experience, Alanna offered some advice to passengers. “Always be nice to flight attendants," she urged, recognizing the demanding nature of their job and the importance of treating them with respect.

She also suggested carrying cash in the local currency for potential situations where baggage might be overweight. “And always have cash on you in the right currency to bribe people if your bag is overweight," Alanna joked, adding a touch of humor to her advice.

After three years in the aviation industry, Alanna decided to pursue a different path, joining OnlyFans in 2023. This decision came after rumors circulated that she was already an adult star, fueled by her social media presence.

She explained that passengers and colleagues often assumed she was on OnlyFans due to her body type and the photos she posted on Instagram. "Passengers and colleagues always assumed I was on OnlyFans before I was because of my body type and the photos that I posted on Instagram. They weren’t too crazy but because I had really big boobs they always were out," she said.

Looking back on her time as a flight attendant, Alanna expressed a mix of nostalgia and recognition of the challenges she faced. “I love flying and I love traveling as every flight attendant would say, though it got a bit boring after one year because the flights I was on were domestic. And the early mornings and long hours are hard,” she reflected.

Ultimately, Alanna believes that her experiences in the aviation industry have shaped her in profound ways. "I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to a normal job,” she concluded, suggesting that the unique challenges and experiences of life as a flight attendant have forever altered her perspective and career aspirations.