Football players and a trombone: Nana Pam still flying at the age of 73 has stories to tell
‘Nana Pam’ is flying high at the age of 73 and has become one of Britain’s oldest cabin crew members.
It was on an easyJet flight to Madrid 20 years ago that former hairdresser Pam Clark picked up a recruitment advertisement and was inspired to make her childhood dream come true – at the age of 53.
The grandmother, soon to become a great-grandmother, but known as ‘Nana Pam’ to her regular passengers, is now flying the flag for over 45’s to take advantage of easyJet’s drive to recruit career changers.
With 20 years of loyal service, Pam has welcomed an estimated 800,000 passengers on board 4,500 flights and as she turns 73 this week she is easyJet’s oldest employee.
Among those taken under her wing have been premiership footballers, TV stars, and a precious trombone needing its own seat.
When Pam showed up for her first day of training, despite her initial fears that she would stand out among younger colleagues, she found herself welcomed into a team from all walks of life and her exceptional customer service and people skills, saw her thrive in what turned out to be her longest career of all.
Pam is now helping easyJet to encourage other over 45s to follow their dreams just as she did, in her newly appointed role as a recruitment ambassador.
- easyJet is celebrating the birthday of their oldest employee, cabin crew member, Pam
- Pam has flown over 4,500 flights for the airline, serving 800k passengers, over a career spanning 20 years
- easyJet has appointed Pam as their over 45s recruitment ambassador, to inspire more great cabin crew candidates to come forward
- The initiative from the airline builds on its successful recruitment campaign encouraging more over 45’s to consider becoming cabin crew, which has delivered a 10 per cent increase in crew members over 45 and a 160 per cent rise over the age of 60 since 2022
The new initiative from the airline builds on its successes over the past year in its commitment to diverse recruitment, as since the launch of the recruitment campaign last year have seen a 10% increase in crew members over 45 applying.
Research by easyJet in 2022 found that 78 per cent of parents, aged 45 and over, wanted to take on a new challenge once their children fly the nest. Over half (57 per cent) of the 2,000 British adults aged over 45 who were surveyed, said they hoped to find a career they were truly passionate about now their children were not dependent on them.
Pam celebrated with an easyJet plane shaped cake with her likeness on top and a framed photograph of her completing her recruitment training.
She said “My advice to anyone over the age of 45 thinking about applying for a role as cabin crew at easyJet would be to go for it. When I applied for the role 20 years ago I knew that my age and experience meant I had something really valuable to offer.
“Nowadays, I’m meeting more and more colleagues like me who have made a brave career change later in life. Don’t be afraid!
“My favourite part of the job has been meeting passengers from all over the world and giving them the most enjoyable travel experience possible. I’m proud to work at a company that puts people first.”
Jane Storm, Group People Director at easyJet said:
“At easyJet we put people at the heart of everything we do. We’re incredibly proud to have Pam on our team and she is a testament to our warm and welcoming cabin crew, who have a passion for great customer service.
We would encourage people of all ages who share our passion to come on board and with Pam’s 73rd birthday just around the corner, we’re hopeful she will inspire even more talented people to join us in the future.”
Latest News
TTC’s hosting a masterclass series for Aussie agents unlocking the secrets of its five brands
TTC Tour Brands is hosting a Masterclass series this May and June to make it ‘easy-as’ for agents to unlock all the tips and tricks of selling across its five brands. Across weekly Wednesday sessions TTC Tour Brands is shining a spotlight on selling its brands and Groups. Each Masterclass will provide a 15–20-minute key insight session […]
Dorsett Melbourne appoints new director of sales Maggie Wong
This top female team at the Dorsett Melbourne aims to take the hotel to new heights - even the lucky eighth floor.
Western Sydney Tourism unveils fresh board ahead of ’26 airport opening
'Connect-Stay-Experience', that's the Western Sydney's tourism taskforce's motto. We sort of prefer 'West Is Best'!
From Olympians to mindset coaches, Helloworld’s OMC conference wraps in style
Say hello to a good time and make sure you're at 2025's edition!
Bunnik Tours welcomes KJ Phillips as the new BDM for QLD
We apologise in advance for winding Karen up as our State of Origin sledging begins to ramp up.
Drifter to usher in new age of affordable hybrid accommodation in Christchurch
Sort of like a hostel, but far, far ritzier!
Icebergs restaurateur Terzini joins Mangan at Sydney International Airport
Forget McDonald's or the sushi that's been there all day, dining at Sydney Airport just got a whole let better!
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge: A beacon of luxury in the Kruger
If the lead image wasn't enough to convince you this is next-level luxury, take a peep inside.
Delegates ready for Africa’s travel showcase Travel Indaba at Durban ICC
How's it? We've requested a bag full of biltong on our reporter's return from this shindig.
APT’s world-first hydraulic-powered restaurant and bar ‘will be the envy of river cruises’
It may have been laughed off at first mention in the APT offices, but now it's here, APT are on top of the game!
Administrators appointed in wake of Air Vanuatu collapse – but there is hope
Another one bites the dust. We hope you sang to the tune when reading that!
South Australian beach crowned best ‘hidden gem’ in the country
Stoked baby! Or was that a typo?
Avalon Airport champions low-cost rail connection from Melbourne CBD
Avalon rail connection? Bring it on! In two years, say officials, but we say they've got Buckley's.
2024 Green Revolution Summit brings travel heavyweights into green fuel discussion
It's almost like the organisers read our article on sustainable fuel this week.
Wendy Wu Tours first China mega-famil for 100 travel agents will be full of Wow!
China travel guru Wendy Wu should have no trouble ordering 100 dumplings for key travel agents on her mega famil.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts gets behind Netball’s Suncorp Super League
So Netball Australia draws its moral line somewhere between Gina Rinehart and Oaks Hotels & Resorts.
Tourism Australia appoints new regional general manager United Kingdom
Expat Aussie Andrew Boxall steps off a Flight Centre gig to plant the flag as UK Tourism Australia GM.
Chef Alessandro Pavoni unveils Cibaria at Manly Pacific MGallery Collection
Only problem is you'll get stuck on the Spit Bridge on the way back, after you finish your meal.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Royal – Stunning in every sense
You can look but you can't touch. At least that's what it feels like when reading an article on this masterpiece.
Flight Centre’s Big Red Sale starts today
Flight Centre taking inspiration from Qantas' Red tail sale yesterday, someone's gotta change for the next round.
Aurora Expeditions announces savings for solo travellers
Save your money and travel and go solo, just don't spend it all buying friends at the bar.
Etihad and Tourism officials launch free Abu Dhabi Stopover
Etihad's giving you free hotel stays on your stopover while Qantas pays fines for ripping people off.
New MSC Australia boss talks hot topics for local cruisers, including the Caribbean
New MSC Australia boss, Antonio Paradiso, spills the Caribbeans on where he expects Aussie cruisers will go next.
Contiki’s latest campaign inspires travellers to engage with the world around them
Hands off! Influencers invited on holiday and told not to post anything. We can assure you they're back at it now.
Aussies a hit on the conference floor for IPW 2024
Diana Ross on opening night, Keanu's Dogstar band and a dozen lobster rolls. All in a week's work at IPW 2024.
Disney excited about prospects of cruise business as Disney Treasure nears completion
Disney's booming cruising business is set to knock Disneyland experiences out of the park.
Scoot’s first E190-E2 flights take off between Krabi and Hat Yai
When flying's a pitch. Airline lite Scoot offers a standard seat pitch of 29” on its new 112-seater.
Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne
ERDI expects to be shaken not stirred with the launch of its ERDI Academy in its Melbourne hotels.
Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts
Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]
Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup
Singapore leaving many in their green dust. Here in Australia, we're hoping for a tortoise and the hare type outcome
Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares
Qantas marketers forever thankful to the team who chose the red and white colours. How else would they name a sale!
Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers
Three hours in the car with a newborn from Sydney might be tough, but trust us, it'll be worth it when you arrive.
Nothing Bonza can do to prevent loss of planes, ACCC concerned by latest aviation developments
Going, going, gone. It seems...
APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia
Whether its a cocktail by the beach or a hike through the mountains, APT has you covered. You'll find us at the beach!
Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland
Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]
Get ready to roll the marketing dice with Susan Coghill: Travel DAZE EXEC 2024
It's heating up in Cairns and we're not talking about the weather! Get ready for a marketing masterclass with Susan.