Hello, I’m Min
For 18 years, from May 2008 to September 2026, I flew as Emirates cabin crew out of Dubai. My office was 35,000 feet up, and my weekends were layovers in Seoul, London, Bangkok and Auckland.
But my travels never stopped at the layover. On my days off, I kept exploring, from the art and trattorias of Florence to the beaches and street food of Da Nang and the coffee and seafood of Seattle. Every trip looked different, depending on who I was with and how much time I had. One thing never changed: wherever I went, the food came first.
It was never just a job; it was a journey. Now that I’ve stepped out of the cabin, Layovers and Flavors is where I share what that journey taught me: how to fly better, where to go, and above all, where to eat.
18 Years in Numbers
When I hung up my wings, I added it all up. Even I was surprised.
| Flights | 2,373 |
| Hours in the air | 15,846 (about 660 days) |
| Airports visited | 133 |
| Around the world | 312 times |
| To the Moon and back | 16 times |
| Shortest flight | Dubai to Muscat, 1 hr 1 min |
| Longest flight | Auckland to Dubai, 17 hr 9 min |
That’s almost two years of my life spent above the clouds.
Firsts, Lasts and Favourites
My first flight took me from Dubai to Jeddah. My last brought me home from Budapest to Dubai. In between, some cities kept calling me back:
| Destination | Times I flew there |
|---|---|
| Seoul (ICN) | 54 |
| Kuwait (KWI) | 32 |
| London (LHR) | 32 |
| Frankfurt (FRA) | 30 |
| Bangkok (BKK) | 29 |
My favourite layovers? Seoul, Bangkok and Barcelona. You’ll find plenty of all three here, especially their food.
What You’ll Find Here
- Flying Tips: practical advice from the other side of the trolley, for a more comfortable flight. Start with 18 Flight Tips I Learned in 18 Years as Cabin Crew.
- Layover Guides: how to make the most of a short stay, from 24 hours to a long weekend, starting with Dubai, my home for 18 years.
- Food & Flavors: the restaurants, street stalls and markets crew actually go back to.
- Cabin Crew Life: stories from the galley, and the lessons behind the travel advice.
Routes, opening hours, prices and travel rules change often, so please check the latest details before you go.
Same Sky, Different Stories
To all the places, and to all the people I met along the way: thank you for the memories. Now I’d love to hear yours.
Have a question about flying, a city, or life as cabin crew? Leave a comment on any post or get in touch.