Flight Attendant Travel Tips: Insights from Madison Chase

In this week's feature, flight attendant Madison Chase opens up about managing jet lag, his top travel spots, and what life is like in the air! We became friends while I was in Santa Barbara, California, quickly bonding over our shared love for travel.

Madison is also a fantastic model. We collaborated on a portrait shoot in Carpinteria, California.

Name: Madison Chase
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, CA
Age: 30
Country count: 26
Instagram: MeowdisonChase

1. What sparked your travel journey?

I've been fortunate to grow up in a family that loves to travel, often in memorable ways. When I was in 6th grade, my parents rented a large motorhome to take all six of us from Utah to New York City, stopping in Florida to see major attractions. This was significant for my older siblings, as we missed a whole month of school. After 9/11, we used my sister's Delta buddy passes to visit Costa Rica for a couple of weeks, and later, we traveled to Peru on a humanitarian trip right after I graduated.

At 19, I went to Asia for the first time with my oldest sister, which transformed my perspective. I spent nearly three months in Southeast Asia, scuba diving and exploring, while also helping with tsunami clean-up just six months after the disaster.

Later, during a break from my zoology studies, I was lucky to join an animal communication program in Singapore and Indonesia. I left my job at Apple in San Francisco, entrusted my two cats, two snakes, and tarantula to my roommate, and embarked on a three-month adventure. I took classes in Singapore, volunteered at an elephant sanctuary in Sumatra, and observed orangutans in Borneo. Afterward, I enjoyed a week in Bali before diving in the Komodo Islands, which offered some of the best diving experiences since I started in 2005. I also volunteered at a zoo in Laos that was transitioning into a sanctuary.

During my time in Asia, I worked at an elephant sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. (Photo courtesy of Madison Chase.)

2. What are the benefits of being a flight attendant?

Flexibility and the freedom to travel are the top benefits of being a flight attendant. My schedule allows for adjustments, giving me the option to spend more time at home or travel when I desire. I fly domestically for free and also enjoy complimentary international flights, often in business class. For instance, I celebrated my 30th birthday with a round trip to Australia for just $92 USD. However, since I fly standby, I often have to be flexible and may not always get on the desired flight. Given the high demand for flights recently, I've learned to remain adaptable with my plans, but the ability to travel freely is incredible!

If you're interested in applying to be a flight attendant, check the job postings for major U.S. airlines: Delta, American Airlines, United, and Southwest.

3. What advice do you have for aspiring flight attendants?

When I applied, there were over 200,000 applicants, but only 1,500 were hired. The competition is fierce! Persistence is crucial. I was fortunate to be hired on the spot after my interview, but many others applied multiple times before getting their chance. It's essential to be adaptable and show that you genuinely enjoy working with people and managing stressful situations. I studied zoology, which might seem odd for this job, but it prepared me for handling pressure. Even though I mostly serve snacks, being able to manage unexpected challenges is vital.

4. How do you cope with jet lag?

With my job, I'm often tired, so mastering the art of napping is essential. When traveling internationally for work, I typically work overnight, making my jet lag more intense than a regular passenger's. Upon arrival, I usually sleep for 2-3 hours, then push myself to stay awake and explore until the local bedtime. At home, I relish relaxing and snoozing with my cat. I've found that eating according to local meal times can help reset my body clock, so I try to stick to breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same times as the locals.

Menorca is among Madison's favorite destinations, just a quick flight from his beloved Barcelona. (Photo courtesy of Madison Chase.)

5. What are your top three travel destinations?

I'm completely in love with Barcelona! The beauty of the city, the welcoming locals, and the deliciously affordable food are just wonderful. I also adore Menorca and Mallorca.

Nature and diving are significant to me, making the Komodo Islands in Indonesia one of my standout experiences. After flying from Bali, I encountered incredible diving, surrounded by vibrant coral and marine life. The islands are protected due to the Komodo dragons, making the waters rich with biodiversity.

Lastly, Sydney has everything an adventurer could want: a vibrant city atmosphere, stunning beaches, fantastic food, and coffee, plus breathtaking natural spots just an hour's drive away. I intended to stay for a couple of days, but a friend I met on Instagram graciously showed me around for an entire week, and I fell head over heels for the city!

6. What's been your biggest challenge as a flight attendant, and how did you overcome it?

Adapting to the lifestyle of a flight attendant was challenging, particularly in my early years. The pay isn't substantial initially, and as a junior member, I often received less desirable routes. I had to commute from Utah to Michigan right after training, then from Utah to NYC. Staying positive and understanding the system helped me gain greater flexibility with my schedule. The advantages of the job outweigh the initial difficulties, and I take full advantage of free flights to explore new places when I can.

Madison explored Sydney for a week with a friend he met online and fell in love with the city. (Photo courtesy of Madison Chase.)

7. What's a common misconception about solo travel?

Traveling solo has been a transformative experience for me. At 19, I roamed Asia, discovering my independence and strength. I cherish solo travel because I can follow my own interests without compromise. Initially, making friends was daunting due to my shyness, but traveling alone encourages connections with like-minded individuals, resulting in friendships across the globe that I can visit.

8. Any tips for packing light?

Packing light isn't my strong point since I enjoy having various clothing options. I usually bring versatile pants and shoes, along with multiple shirts that I roll tightly to save space. I've often brought a laptop, thinking it would be useful, but ended up using my Kindle or phone instead. Unless you're heading to a remote area, remember you can always purchase what you might need later!

Madison diving near Cozumel, Mexico with his GoPro camera. (Photo Courtesy of Madison Chase.)

9. What are three essentials you always pack?

• A soft sweater or hoodie for flights (useful as a pillow or to stay warm)
• Earplugs and an eye mask
• Extra batteries and portable chargers for devices (there's nothing worse than running out of power at a critical moment!)

10. What's your next travel plan?

I'm not sure about my next adventure! I just returned from an incredible ten-day trip to Spain last month. Eventually, I plan to move to Barcelona and commute to NYC for work because I adore it. My sister and I are interested in returning to Australia soon to explore Byron Bay and dive at the Great Barrier Reef. Additionally, I want to discover more Caribbean destinations now that I'm based in NYC, including Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and Cuba before it becomes too popular.

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