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My Covid Story

MY
COVID
STORY

 

Share Your Covid Story with the aviation community. Send us your story in a short video or audio file, in writing or photos and inspire millions of others.

The many journeys of YouTuber Noel Philips during the pandemic

YouTuber Noel Philips shares his story about travel, work, family, and personal growth during the pandemic....

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#MyCovidStory
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Noel Philips My Covid Story
#MyCovidStory
100 lives, 100 stories. How we worked through the pandemic together

100 people, 100 stories. How we worked together through the pandemic

After 100 stories from 30 different countries and 6 continents, AeroTime CEO Richard Stephenson shares the final My Covi ...

#MyCovidStory
14 exams in 53 days: pilot and aviation influencer, Pilot Amireh

14 exams in 53 days: pilot and aviation influencer, Pilot Amireh

Aviation influencer Pilot Amireh shares his roller coaster experience during the COVID-19& ...

#MyCovidStory
Rachel Philips My Covid Story

Rachel Philips: Travelling with disabilities during the pandemic

Rachel Philips shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed travel for people with disabilities. ...

About

The Covid crisis wreaked havoc on aviation, changing the lives of hundreds of thousands people in the industry. As the vaccine rollout begins and we can start to see the end of the tunnel in sight, it is important to document the memories of recent months. My Covid Story will share memories and experiences from the time of the pandemic and will highlight a wide variety of stories from across the industry, ranging from ordinary life to some inspirational and unexpected tales. The challenges, the heartache, the life changing experiences, the good, the bad and everything in between.

You never know who you will help by sharing your experience.

2020 was one for the books. Share your experience, whatever it is, with the aviation community as we support each other through these extraordinary times.

#MyCovidStory

Over 200 COVID tests: the life of YouTuber Josh Cahill during the pandemic

Aviation YouTuber and airline reviewer Josh Cahill shares how the pandemic looks through the eyes of a frequent fly ...

#MyCovidStory

This Argentine flight crew instructor helped to make your Covid pass possible

This Argentine pilot and flight crew instructor participated in a Pfizer COVID vaccine clinical trial during his country ...

#MyCovidStory

Captain Richard returns to the skies after successful cancer treatment

Captain Richard spent years working in aviation. But, after accidentally discovering a serious health issue, his life wa ...

#MyCovidStory
(6)

Anthony’s story: How a piece of a Boeing 747 tailfin inspired a business idea

Anthony Friedl creates an aircraft fuselage skin recycling company and captured the attention of thousands of collectors ...

#MyCovidStory
(6)

Captain Farah’s story: “I don't want the new generation to suffer”

Captain Farah Khan Pethe reveals how she has used the experience, skills and knowledge gained during her extensive aviat ...

#MyCovidStory
(6)

The pandemic rollercoaster: from cabin crew to COVID-19 nurse to pilot

A cabin crew member and a pilot, Silke Anckaert shares her challenging experiences during the pandemic.   ...

#MyCovidStory

Student pilot Joanne launches sustainable soap business during pandemic

Student pilot Joanne Milne was forced to discontinue her training during Covid, but managed to use lockdown time wisely ...

#MyCovidStory

American Airlines Captain publishes poetry book to help pilots during Covid

Captain Linda Pauwels has released a haiku poetry collection dedicated to supporting pilots made redundant during the CO ...

#MyCovidStory

Pilot Elaine sets up candle business: aviation messages hidden on labels

The candle-making business has rescued US-based private pilot Elaine Standohar from an emotional rollercoaster amid the ...

#MyCovidStory
(11)

Emirates cabin crew Kristina on how COVID affected inflight duties

Emirates Business Class flight attendant, Kristina shares her experience of being an active cabin crew member during a g ...

#MyCovidStory

Husband and wife aircraft mechanics create successful aviation brand

Mark and Lisa Krzywinski, lost their jobs as aircraft mechanics during COVID-19. But the spouses went on to establish a ...

#MyCovidStory

Chris’s story: from pilot to cookie company entrepreneur

After being placed on furlough by an airline, Chris’s pilot career was paused. However, he has since gone on to es ...

#MyCovidStory
(5)

Pilot Joanne Jordan shares hidden opportunities in an “indefinite delay”

Pilot Joanne Jordan compares the pandemic to an “indefinite delay” but also a time to pursue new opportuniti ...

#MyCovidStory

Pilot Greta: what is it like to be a freshly licensed aviator amid pandemic?

The pilot Greta Adlyte shares her bumpy COVID-19 experience in brief. ...

Flight Attendant Week
#MyCovidStory

Cristina’s story: from commercial to freelance flight attendant

Although Cristina Tung’s aviation career spans an impressive two decades, flying was not part of her original ...

#MyCovidStory

Maria’s story: from dentist to flight attendant and back again

Certified dentist and flight attendant Maria Pandolfi, 27, shares how she manages to combine both professions as she nav ...

Flight Attendant Week
Aviation Career
#MyCovidStory
(7)

Recruitment Specialist Dace: “When everything stopped, I wasn’t panicking.”

From cabin crew to coaching and recruitment. For Dace Straupmane, the path to aviation was quite accidental.  ...

#MyCovidStory
Flight Attendant Week

Flight attendant Romina in maternity leave limbo: “The virus had a huge impact”

Stewardess Romina had been flying for a decade. But during the pandemic, her employer closed its base in Rome, leaving h ...

#MyCovidStory
Flight Attendant Week
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Precious’s Story: From cabin crew to pilot and COVID-19 philanthropist

From waitress, to cabin crew, to pilot, Precious Sibalo’s inspiring journey to the cockpit began with turbulence b ...

#MyCovidStory
Flight Attendant Week

Rochelle’s story: from Emirates cabin crew to soap business in Philippines

Emirates stewardess Rochelle shares how she managed to open her zero-waste soap refill business in the Philippines durin ...

#MyCovidStory
(5)

Corporate Pilot Kristupas: “It’s time to take advantage of new opportunities”

While commercial aviation struggles to overcome pandemic restrictions, pilot Kristupas Sulija believes that new prospect ...

#MyCovidStory
(4)

Paul’s story: pilot secrets help NHS staff during COVID-19

Pilot Paul Green lost his dream job in aviation, but took the unique skills and knowledge gained while flying and applie ...

#MyCovidStory
(9)

Captain Ali’s story: from Airbus joystick to laundry business

Ali Andoko, the Captain of Airbus A330 at Asiana Airlines, lost the job in the airline but opened his own laundry servic ...

#MyCovidStory

Alessandro’s story: from ground staff to ambulift truck driver

Alessandro Moratti devoted 16 years of life working for a single airline. After losing the job, he found employment assi ...

#MyCovidStory
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Rachel’s Story: Grounded flight attendant wins Project Wingman award

Rachel’s Story: Grounded flight attendant wins Project Wingman award

Flight attendant Rachel Thorn might have had her wings clipped, but her outstanding service to the NHS granted her a Pro ...

#MyCovidStory
anca gosling image

Quo Vadis Aviation Training?

Anca Gosling has spent almost 11 years in aviation. She calls the past year a wake-up call for learning and development ...

#MyCovidStory
International Pilots' Day
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From Boeing 737 to tactical freighter: commercial pilot turns mil

From Boeing 737 to tactical freighter: commercial pilot turns military aviator

Mindaugas Zidonis was a commercial aviation pilot who made a sharp turn in his career and became a military aviator. &nb ...

International Pilots' Day
#MyCovidStory
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It’s a different view from the cockpit, says Sebastian Roca

It’s a different view from the cockpit, says Sebastian Roca

A story of resolve and tenacity, Captain Sebastian Roca describes how an open-minded approach to being a pilot leads to ...

International Pilots' Day
#MyCovidStory
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Captain Janek from Klasjet

How a “unique experiment” led to private jet flying in a Covid world

Life could have turned out very differently for pilot Janek Sarapu, who is a private jet captain in Estonia.  ...

International Pilots' Day
#MyCovidStory
Women in Aviation
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Sleeping in a tent and piloting a Caravan: Hunter’s Covid journey back home

Sleeping in a tent and piloting a Caravan: Hunter’s Covid journey back home

From a dream job in the States to sleeping in a tent, it’s truly been a rollercoaster year for Australian pilot Hu ...

#MyCovidStory
International Pilots' Day
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British pilot Jack Stott-Sugden

Aviator Jack's story: from barista to twin-engine pilot in Australia

A British pilot Jack Stott-Sugden in the vast Australian outback reveals how the pandemic has helped his fledgling pilot ...

International Pilots' Day
#MyCovidStory
Women in Aviation
(4)
Amanda Kandawire

Emirates pilot Amanda embraces her creative side and opens two businesses

Amanda Kandawire, a First Officer at Emirates, was made redundant during the pandemic. She adapted to the professional c ...

#MyCovidStory
International Pilots' Day
(4)
Franck de Groot

Pandemic challenge: Norwegian Captain rejoins Dutch Air Force

Franck de Groot, Boeing 777/787/737NG Captain, discloses what he had experienced amid the global pandemic and what ...

#MyCovidStory
Women in Aviation
International Pilots' Day
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Captain Andreea Litescu has been a pilot for ten years. Now she is using her aviation experience to write a book de...

International Pilots' Day
#MyCovidStory
Women in Aviation
(5)

Divya Manchanda:“It's always been a quest for learning new things”

Divya Manchanda - a pilot at Jet Airways who believes that one should never stop learning...

#MyCovidStory
International Pilots' Day
(9)
Captain Joerg Hartmann

Emirates Captain Joerg starts coaching consultancy in Dubai

Emirates pilot Joerg Hartmann shares details about his 33-year career in aviation and explains how the global pandemic h ...

#MyCovidStory
(4)
Gurinder Singh

IT engineer on a bumpy road to a pilot’s seat

Gurinder Singh, 27, has spent his life either dreaming about aviation or working in the sector. But a two-prolonged cris ...

#MyCovidStory
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Karla’s story: from flight attendant to teacher…and back again

Karla’s story: from flight attendant to teacher…and back again

22-year-old Karla Daniela Fuertes Casañas recalls what it is like to be a flight attendant during the COVID-19 pa ...

#MyCovidStory

Flight attendant Jordan shares what obstacles she had to hurdle when her wings were sadly clipped from the time of the p...

#MyCovidStory

MIT Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics Ed Crawley shares his experience of taking a 23-hour journey home from Sou...

#MyCovidStory
(4)
Flight attendant Mara finds success in financial advisory: “I’m s

Stewardess Mara Palomares: from FA to FA

Former flight attendant and now a financial consultant Mara says that sometimes to get a breakthrough one has to take a ...

#MyCovidStory
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Flight attendant Goda returns to her dream job, shares hope for o

Flight attendant Goda returns to her dream job, shares hope for others

After a year spent on the ground, flight attendant Goda received an unexpected call ‒she received a second chance for ta ...

#MyCovidStory
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Stewardess falls in love with a stray dog, flies it across border

Stewardess falls in love with a stray dog, flies it across borders

While some people found air travel during the pandemic challenging, flight attendant Dominika decided to adopt a dog fro ...

#MyCovidStory

Couple’s journey: from Emirates cabin crew to honey business

Violeta and her husband were both Emirates flight attendants. After losing their jobs, the couple started selling honey ...

#MyCovidStory
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VIP flight attendant: how to keep your wings despite double crisis?

VIP flight attendant Anastasia was hit by a crisis twice in a row. Despite it, she shows determination and says that not ...

#MyCovidStory
(6)

Emirates flight attendant: what’s it like living in the city of the future?

The Emirates flight attendant Karla shares what lesson she has learned during 7 years spent while being based in Dubai. ...

#MyCovidStory

Jae Won Jess Shin had been working as a flight attendant at Qatar Airways for three years when she decided to make a hug...

#MyCovidStory

Gabriele had never considered the aviation industry as an option for her professional life but her plans were flipped....

#MyCovidStory
(3)

“Chicken or beef?” Grounded pilot opens up aviation-inspired cafe

Alexander Torres used to be a Qatar Airways pilot. After losing his job, he opened an aviation-themed cafe in Belfast.&n ...

#MyCovidStory

17-year-old joins aviation industry by lucky chance, remains despite challenges

Edvinas was just 17 years old when he joined aviation. If not a lucky mistake, he might have never landed that firs ...

#MyCovidStory
(6)

Racing against time: aviation professional embarks on romantic challenge

When Covid lockdowns start, Giedrius is racing against time to uphold the promise he made. But will he make it? ...

#MyCovidStory

After flight dispatcher, Rodney lost his beloved job in aviation, he joined a Covid testing center helping to fight the...

#MyCovidStory
(11)

Edita had to travel in the midst of lockdowns. Her Covid Story stretched from a challenging 14-day quarantine at the sma...

#MyCovidStory

From journalist to pilot… and back again

In her  #MyCovidStory Victoria Bryan shares how she went from being a journalist to pilot... and back again.   ...

#MyCovidStory

Gulf Air flight attendant opens supermarket in Kenya

Having lost her job as a Gulf Air flight attendant, Susan Wamaitha now runs her own grocery store in Kenya and has even ...

#MyCovidStory

From barista to cabin crew: “I lost my job while stuck on a remote Thai island”

Flight attendant Garbiela’s story stretches from working as a barista in an airport café, to flying the wor ...

#MyCovidStory
Captain Sinica: don't cry over a lost job, build new skills inste

Captain Sinisa: don't cry over a lost job, build new skills instead

The Airbus A320 Captain Sinica Eterovic discloses what lessons the pandemic taught him and what skills the pilot should ...

#MyCovidStory
Sales reps tips for people starting a new job in a pandemic

Sales reps tips for people starting a new job in a pandemic [Video]

In his video, Khaled Fakhra shares tips that helped him to start (and keep!) a new aviation job during the pandemic.&nbs ...

#MyCovidStory
Emirates pilot Massimo: no prospects for seasoned pilots post-crisis?

Emirates pilot Massimo: no prospects for seasoned pilots post-crisis?

After 13 years of a glamorous life as an Emirates pilot, Massimo Ferrini, now works for global nutrition and weight mana ...

#MyCovidStory
New Chair takes the reins at UK CAA at height of pandemic

New Chair takes the reins at UK CAA at height of pandemic

Sir Stephen Hillier recovered from COVID-19 and went on to become Chair of the UK CAA in the midst of the worst aviation ...

#MyCovidStory
UK Aviation Minister Robert Courts

UK Aviation Minister: “I want nothing more than to see planes back in the sky”

A life-long aviation enthusiast, Robert Courts MP says he is an aviation minister who is yet to travel on a plane in an ...

#MyCovidStory
(3)
Matthew Wilson is a pilot who took up landscape and gardening

Pilot’s story: from flying high to digging deep

Pilots essentially have a path to follow, but what do you do if this path no longer exists? Apply lessons from flight tr ...

#MyCovidStory

Former Norwegian Boeing 787 Captain: We still had hope

The news that Norwegian would end its long-haul operations rocked a fair share of people. Philippe Duforest, a now-forme ...

#MyCovidStory

Pilot’s story: after 1st month in the cockpit ‒ to furniture sales

Maxim De Leeuw could not even imagine that only a month after his first flight at the airline his career would hold on f ...

#MyCovidStory

Panic at the airport! Check-in agent remembers border closures in March 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ernestas has been working as a check-in agent responsible for passengers flying from Vil ...

#MyCovidStory

Captain Rhodri: “Even working in supermarket I want to be professional”

“Even when working in the supermarket, I take the same approach as a pilot – I want to be professional,&rdqu ...

#MyCovidStory

Naila’s journey: from Emirates flight attendant to Starbucks barista

Unlike her colleagues, Naila never dreamed of working as a flight attendant until fate led her to walk the aisle of a wi ...

#MyCovidStory

Third-generation pilot keeps spirit high despite turbulent times

“I was a furloughed pilot in a furloughed airport doing the Covid stuff,” a Norwegian Captain remembers. &nb ...

#MyCovidStory
Pilot cadet Jonathan

Pilot cadet shares training challenges aviators face amid pandemic

In a video, pilot cadet Jonathan Felber speaks about why he decided to start his career during the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

#MyCovidStory
Marianne Cerutti photo

Captain Marianne’s advice for pilots: get ready for real race

Airbus Captain Marianne Cerutti shares advice to fellow pilots on how to remain ready to return to flying. ...

#MyCovidStory
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Captain Joe Townshend went from flying to coffee roasting

Captain Joe’s story: Airbus joystick replaced by coffee roaster

Previously a captain for Thomas Cook Airlines, Joe had just found a new job when Covid hit. Now, he works two jobs and s ...

#MyCovidStory

After 21 years as airport services manager to 18-hour shift lorry driver

Mikko Asikainen has never thought that after 21 years spent in the aviation field, he would sit at the wheel of a lorry. ...

#MyCovidStory

From flight attendant to gas delivery business

Maurice Maureen Avila lost her “dream” job as a flight attendant and after a few hard months of trying to re ...

#MyCovidStory

Aviation professional's proposal to Covid-nurse: magical end to horrible year

Cargo charter manager Wannes shares his story of how the pandemic turned his plans of the heartwarming proposal to a Cov ...

#MyCovidStory
(3)

The rollercoaster of Covid communication: Ben’s story of building team spirit

Aviation enthusiast and communications expert explains the biggest challenges of the Covid communications.    ...

#MyCovidStory

Missionary Bush Pilot shares his Covid story in Papua New Guinea

Ryan is a missionary bush pilot on the Quest (Daher) Kodiak 100 in Papua New Guinea. ...

#MyCovidStory

Princess Diana’s former chief of staff keeps scanning the sky for aircraft

Patrick Jephson spent years with one eye constantly scanning the skies for interesting aircraft. But the pandemic has si ...

#MyCovidStory
(10)

Private jet crew member discovers bike yoga secrets in Dubai desert

Rimante Griskeviciute-Leite, a former flight attendant, shares her inspiring journey from a private jet crew member ...

#MyCovidStory
(4)

From pilot’s epaulet to taxi driver’s uniform: keep learning

Soufian was not expecting that his whole life’s goal of becoming a commercial airline pilot could slip out of his ...

#MyCovidStory

Full-time professional & mum: biggest inspiration comes from 5-year-old son

Keeping a balance between around-the-clock duties at work and family life can be challenging. Jackie Zhang says little d ...

#MyCovidStory

After 7 years onboard, flight attendant goes for own business

Flight attendant Lauren Jones shares her experience of how her 7-year career onboard the aircraft suddenly changed into ...

#MyCovidStory

Looking for an essential skill to get through a crisis? Adaptability

Alison FitzGerald, the Chief Operating Officer at London City Airport, is drilled to expect the unexpected. ...

#MyCovidStory

After 15-years of growth, covid forces a leap of faith

Gediminas Ziemelis, the founder and chairman of Avia Solutions Group, says the group is ready to assist the global effor ...

#MyCovidStory
Urte Gailiunaite

"This job was perfect for me"

Urte has been working as a flight attendant for almost three years when the pandemic hit. ...

#MyCovidStory
Mark Swan shares insight on dealing with invisible crisis

Fighting invisible crisis: when traditional methods become useless

Mark Swan, Head of the Airspace Change Organizing Group (ACOG), had just started a new role when Covid struck. ...

#MyCovidStory
(8)
Neil Dursley Chapman Freeborn CCO

Panic call at midnight prompts incredible flight amidst global lockdowns

Neil Dursley, Chapman Freeborn CCO, shares some of his stories 2020 and moments that struck the most. ...

#MyCovidStory
(3)
Fiona Guest glider pilot

Confessions of a frustrated pilot

Fiona Guest, a trainee glider pilot, tells her story on how national lockdowns affected her flying.  ...

#MyCovidStory
(3)
Maja Gedosev

Overcoming challenges of starting a new transatlantic job during the pandemic

Maja Gedosev, the General Manager for Europe at JetBlue Airways, shares 8 tips from her experience of starting a dream j ...

#MyCovidStory
(5)
lina when workingas flight attendant

Covid ruins wedding plans but inspires business start-up

Covid might have trimmed her wings and ruined wedding plans, but Lina is not one to give up, so she opened a business. ...

#MyCovidStory
diana kang photo

Juggling family and work during pandemic

Diana Kang is a working mother. When Covid struck, the industry she works in – air cargo – got insanely busy ...

#MyCovidStory
(4)
How a young enthusiast has kept in touch with aviation

How a young enthusiast has kept in touch with aviation

Harry is 13 and has always loved aviation. He shares his thoughts with AeroTime. ...

#MyCovidStory
Sharing our stories will help aviation recover

Sharing our stories will help aviation recover

As we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel of this Covid nightmare, it’s only right that we find a way ...

#MyCovidStory
(9)

Patrick was not expecting the more than 15 million views of his post when he took to LinkedIn to share his story....

#MyCovidStory
(4)

Keeping a life saving team flying

Amanda McLean tells her story of running a life-saving air ambulance during the Covid pandemic....

#MyCovidStory
(4)
david and jeroen in flight deck

David & Jeroen: From flying to coffee distribution

Flying couple finds themselves grounded during the crisis. Listen to David tell their story. ...

#MyCovidStory
Navigating through the onset of the covid crisis

Navigating through the onset of the Covid crisis

Dame Deirdre Hutton, the former chair of the UK CAA, tells her story about leading the regulator as Covid struck. ...

#MyCovidStory
(4)
vygaudas usackas new photo

From diplomatic world stage to crisis-hit aviation

A high flying diplomatic career prepared Vygaudas Usackas to respond to the Covid crisis from his new corporate role in ...