{"id":130946,"date":"2025-09-09T19:27:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/130946\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T19:27:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:27:22","slug":"singapore-airlines-longest-serving-cabin-crew-reflects-on-46-years-of-flying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/130946\/","title":{"rendered":"Singapore Airlines’ Longest-Serving Cabin Crew Reflects on 46 Years of Flying"},"content":{"rendered":"

SINGAPORE- For nearly half a century, Mr. Ng Yak Keng served as a cabin crew member with Singapore Airlines (SQ)<\/a>, one of the world\u2019s most respected carriers. His career began with a spontaneous decision at age 21 and concluded with a thoughtful retirement shaped by health concerns.<\/p>\n

From his first international flight to Perth, Australia (PER), to countless journeys across global cities such as Jakarta (CGK), New York (JFK), and Adelaide (ADL), Mr. Ng became one of the longest serving cabin crew in Singapore Airlines\u2019 history.<\/p>\n

Along the way, he met world leaders, celebrities, and millions of passengers, carrying with him the professionalism and warmth that defined the SIA brand.<\/p>\n

\"SingaporePhoto: Ng Yak Keng<\/p>\n

Singapore Airlines\u2019 Longest Serving Cabin Crew <\/p>\n

Meeting Mr. Ng in his Tampines flat, one immediately notices his polished demeanor. Even in retirement, the 67-year-old retains the habits of a steward: neatly slicked hair, thick-framed glasses, and a welcoming smile.<\/p>\n

His tall, trim figure moves with the same ease that once defined his service onboard.<\/p>\n

His casual speech is still sprinkled with courteous phrases like \u201ccertainly\u201d and \u201cof course,\u201d a living echo of his 46 years in the skies.<\/p>\n

For him, working at SIA was never just a job but a calling. \u201cI never thought of leaving the airline, because this has been my life,\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n

On his dining table sit folders of rosters and flight schedules, yellowed with age. Each page is evidence of his discipline: decades of flights meticulously recorded, from short turnarounds to Jakarta to long-haul layovers in New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: Singapore Changi Airport<\/p>\n

Taking Off at 21<\/p>\n

Mr. Ng\u2019s journey with SIA began after completing National Service. Initially unsuccessful in two job applications, he followed his friends\u2019 advice to try the airline, which was actively hiring at the time. \u201cI was accepted immediately,\u201d he recalled, still with a trace of disbelief.<\/p>\n

He had done no preparation, no research, and no new clothes for the interview with CNA<\/a>. He simply went \u201cwith the flow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The process was brisk: a group interview with eight other men, and then, suddenly, he was in. \u201cThat was the beginning of my adventure with Singapore Airlines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Training lasted two months, shorter than the three to four months required today. Having just left the army, he and his peers went from field drills to lessons on etiquette, wine, and fine dining.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe used to have food slammed onto our mess tins. Suddenly, we had to wear a tie and learn prim and proper things,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

One of his favorite lessons was on cheese, learning to tell camembert from Gouda and pairing them with fruit or crackers. This knowledge later became part of the refined service that SIA was known for.<\/p>\n

His first working flight was to Perth (PER)<\/a> on a Boeing 707. Excited but focused, he followed seniors closely, learning how to serve meals and attend to passengers.<\/p>\n

The flight was smooth, but his inexperience showed upon arrival. Carrying flowers at a friend\u2019s request, he was stopped by Australian immigration officers. \u201cThe officer shouted \u2018Agriculture!\u2019 at me,\u201d he chuckled, recalling his embarrassment.<\/p>\n

\"ForPhoto: By Adznee Abas \u2013 https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/adzneetheairplanes\/51714606977\/, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=122563288<\/p>\n

Lessons From a Global Career<\/p>\n

Across decades of travel, Mr. Ng visited cities steeped in history, culture, and food. \u201cEvery country is fantastic,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you like history, go to Egypt or China. If you enjoy food, go to Bangkok (BKK)<\/a> or Hong Kong (HKG)<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exposure to different societies, from liberal to conservative, broadened his worldview. \u201cYou begin to be more accepting of differences,\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n

Working thousands of flights, he honed his observation skills and emotional intelligence. \u201cTo be in this job for so long, your EQ has to be sharpened,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He met countless celebrities: footballer Ronaldo, tennis champion Maria Sharapova, singer Stephanie Sun, and American musician Jason Mraz. Sometimes, he did not recognize them until passengers rushed for autographs.<\/p>\n

One day, he realized too late that the man beside him was Jackie Chan, though he eventually got a signed boarding pass as a keepsake.<\/p>\n

But no celebrity encounter compared to meeting Singapore\u2019s leaders. He proudly showed a faded photo with the late Lee Kuan Yew and his wife. \u201cHe was very nice, very normal,\u201d Mr. Ng said. For him, these moments were career highlights.<\/p>\n

\"SingaporePhoto: Robin HARDY<\/p>\n

Camaraderie Above the Clouds<\/p>\n

What Mr. Ng cherishes most is the camaraderie with colleagues. In the early years, without mobile phones or tablets, layovers were times of bonding.<\/p>\n

Crews toured cities together, shared meals, and spent hours talking. In Honolulu, they enjoyed long stays that forged deep friendships.<\/p>\n

\u201cUp there, we knew we were one,\u201d he said, emphasizing teamwork as the key to successful flights.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: Ng Yak Keng<\/p>\n

Challenges of the Job<\/p>\n

Behind the glamour, the job came with sacrifices. Medical emergencies onboard required calmness and quick action. \u201cUsing CPR or even AEDs to save a life together, it gives us a sense of fulfilment,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n

He admitted to youthful mistakes, like once tapping a drunken passenger on the head. \u201cNot the right thing to do,\u201d he chuckled. Over time, he learned that honesty and humility were the best ways to defuse tension, especially when delays angered passengers.<\/p>\n

The schedule took its toll. Flying around 80 hours a month meant missing birthdays, Chinese New Year, and Christmas. \u201cBirthdays are not important to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

His daughter Amanda, now 29, agreed: \u201cHe misses all the time. We just ask, \u2018Are you in?\u2019 If yes, we celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The family adapted by celebrating birthdays within the month. Still, Amanda admitted, \u201cNow that he\u2019s always around, it gets a bit suffocating. It\u2019s like COVID-19 all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jet lag was another challenge. In his younger years, he ignored sleepless nights. But age made it harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt became more disorienting. Sometimes I didn\u2019t know if it was day or night,\u201d he said. Despite this, he maintained a professional front: \u201cOnce we step into the cabin, we are all smiles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ironically, despite his career at 41,000 feet, Mr. Ng has a fear of heights. On a family trip to Malacca, he froze on a modest amusement ride. His daughter teased him for laughing nervously and gripping the seat in fear.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: By Ian Gratton \u2013 flickr, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=87825358<\/p>\n

Living Archive of Aviation<\/p>\n

At home, Mr. Ng is a collector of vintage items: rotary phones, boomboxes, and diamond clocks. He restores old radios and cassette players, reliving the sounds of his youth in the 1960s and 1970s.<\/p>\n

He also keeps SIA memorabilia: uniforms, name tags, and even an apron once issued in the 1980s. The apron, he recalled, \u201clooked ugly over the kebaya\u201d and was quickly phased out.<\/p>\n

His old photo albums show early steward uniforms, powder blue jackets, and oversized bow ties that passengers compared to moths. Female crew hairstyles varied then, before the iconic chignon became standard.<\/p>\n

Through his collection, he sees aviation\u2019s evolution: from planes without suction toilets to modern galleys with microwaves.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s almost like a kitchen now,\u201d he marveled. He also noted the shift from luxury travel, when passengers dressed formally, to today\u2019s casual approach with budget airlines.<\/p>\n

\"SingaporePhoto: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/p>\n

Last Flight<\/p>\n

In July 2025, Mr. Ng took his final flight, a 7-hour journey from Adelaide (ADL) to Singapore (SIN)<\/a>. He expected an emotional farewell, but instead found it felt like \u201ca normal day in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only later did he learn that colleagues had long referred to him as a \u201clegend,\u201d a nod to his seniority and unmatched tenure.<\/p>\n

Flipping through his old passports, he pointed out how clean they were. Crew lanes meant he rarely collected immigration stamps. \u201cNo chops at all,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

\"SingaporePhoto: Mark Gower, Managing Director at Gatwick Ground Services (GGS)<\/p>\n

Embracing a New Chapter<\/p>\n

After becoming Singapore Airlines\u2019 longest serving cabin crew, Retirement, for Mr. Ng, is not an ending. He keeps active with squash, gym sessions, and language classes. When bored, he jokes about heading to Johor Bahru (JHB) like many Singaporeans do.<\/p>\n

His greatest adjustment lies in identity. Having spent his entire adult life as a steward, he admits that his professional self and personal self are one. \u201cI am who I am today because of the 46 years I spent in the line,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Thoughtfully, he added, \u201cIt\u2019s better to have more time to myself now. Retirement is not the end of the world; it\u2019s discovering your second life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SINGAPORE- For nearly half a century, Mr. Ng Yak Keng served as a cabin crew member with Singapore…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":130947,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[64,63,134,1793,78294,90930,78295,78297,90931],"class_list":["post-130946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-entertainment","tag-retirement","tag-singapore-airlines","tag-singapore-airlines-cabin-crew","tag-singapore-airlines-flight","tag-singapore-airlines-news","tag-singapore-airlines-pilot"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130946\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/130947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=130946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=130946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}