Ever been on a private jet? No, me neither but we’ve all seen the highflying Kardashian clan and Real Housewives of ..... jetting off at short notice to glamorous destinations in a creamy leather seated private jet with the champagne flowing. As soon as I read the description of this book I was curious to find out more.
This book opens with Saskia a former air hostess struggling to pay off her credit card debt through her temping jobs, she has a shopping addiction and is wondering how to turn her life around. Then on a rainy day, a chance encounter with a stranger in a bar leads to her being offered a £45,000 pa job as a private flight attendant for a mysterious Russian businessman.
Soon Saskia is jetting all over the world wearing her Prada uniform, staying in five star hotels and meeting the whims and desires of her married boss Pavel. Her duties vary from scrubbing toilets to secret assignations with the boss. She dishes the dirt on various escapades and adventures - some good, some less so.
What I liked about this memoir was getting the lowdown on the seemingly glamorous lifestyle but realising that there were severe limitations on her ability to lead a meaningful life when not working. The portrayal of Saskia’s colleagues and her friendships was well depicted. I found her justification for having a “relationship” with Pavel a bit disingenuous but that’s down to my personal morals and am sure that different readers will take their own stance on this.
If you’re thinking of working as private jet attendant this book is definitely for you.
This is a light, frothy read which I read in one sitting - perfect for by the pool.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lume Books for the e-arc in return for an honest review.

Full disclosure: I sometimes get books free for review purposes, although my ratings and reviews are fully my own. When I requested Above and Beyond: Secrets of a Private Flight Attendant, I assumed it would be one of those ARCs (advanced reader copies) I enjoyed but never would have been willing to actually buy. Fortunately, I was wrong.

*Above and Beyond book cover image*
“If there’s one thing working in this industry has confirmed for me, it’s that money doesn’t buy you happiness. Being well off is certainly a bonus if you’re already happy, but I don’t believe that lifestyle is something to chase to make you happy.”

Above and Beyond is the memoir of Saskia Swann, a career flight attendant who documented her switch from commercial to private flight, in all its glamour and garishness. To me, it checked all the boxes of a great memoir. Saska wrote with a charming and personal voice. She shared private thoughts, entertaining anecdotes, and she provided a surprisingly nuanced critique of the industry.

Swann’s memoir could not have been released at a more perfect time* than when we’re starving for tales of travel in the midst of this pandemic and also reeling from the effects and (sometimes) startling revelations of the #metoo movement.

* Above and Beyond will be released by Lume Books on June 3, 2021

At first, I didn’t believe this memoir to be true. It read like a women’s magazine, the ones I flick through whilst waiting in a doctor’s surgery. But, what I thought to be a flippant, saucy exposé, turned out to be a fascinating account of an industry that I’d never even imagined. I’ve travelled extensively during my life but never thought of private jets and their crews. What an eye opener! Saskia has had an adventurous, privileged career, even though the downsides of cleaning and polishing everything in sight would make me shudder, not to mention pandering to the whims of the rich. I don’t think I could stomach them but hats off to Saskia for getting the best of out it.

I don't read a ton of memoirs, but when I do, I like them to be a window into a life completely different than mine. #AboveAndBeyond is definitely that! Highly enjoyable and I read it in about 2 sittings. Saskia and Nicola tell Saskia's story with humor and good pacing. I loved the friendships she developed with "the girls." Without spoiling anything, I loved the ending and her reflections on what she has learned from her time in the rarified air of private jet setting.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review

After struggling as a commercial ‘trolley dolley’ for years, Saskia finds herself swept into the whirlwind that is being a corporate flight attendant. A few months into her first job she finds out her boss, a russian billionaire, expects much more of her than she initially signed up for.

This book was a wild ride from start to finish. When I thought the author was going to go one way, I was often amusedly surprised when she went another. Not only was it full of scandalous and behind the scenes stories of the outrageous lifestyles and weird quirks of the uber wealthy, it was also a story about self love, listening to your heart, and following your dreams.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Pretty boring. I was interested in hearing about attendant life and learning about planes. Not very exciting.

If you are interested in the world of the private jets of the ultra-rich, the accompanying lifestyle, and the work that goes on behind the scenes to serve them, this book will certainly satisfy. This is the memoir of Saskia, a flight attendant, who makes the transition from commercial airlines to private planes.

The book gives a highly detailed account of Saskia’s experiences working for one wealthy employer and then freelancing within the industry. For me, it was an interesting look at an industry I hadn’t really encountered. The lavish lifestyles and entitlement of the owners - expectations of flight attendants include everything from grooming to 24/7 availability to picking errant hairs off the carpet to sleeping with the boss - are on full display throughout the book.

Personally, I found this microscopic look at the ultra rich lifestyle repetitive. There are many, often humorous, tales, but over time I got tired of reading about expensive watches, designer clothes, partying and sexual encounters.

The book is well-written, if a bit shallow, and flows along quickly. It’s an engaging way to learn about this cloistered environment that is experienced by so few.

Very easy read. Exciting and adventurous too. Was difficult to put down! It was amazing to travel along on the main characters adventures and her many many jobs while being a flight attendant. I would never have thought one could work for the rich and famous in the sky!

I really enjoyed this memoir. The material was absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t help but turn the page to see what kind of shenanigans Saskia was going to be subject to.

A most amazing memoir of the life of a stewardess who works in privately owned aircrafts. Her memories are
captivating and revealing and holds your attention completely. Incredible insight into the realm of extremely wealth.

If you like "below deck" or reality shows, this is for you.

This is a story about a Saskia, who is a private stewardess for the rich and famous.
She tells juicy stories and some lessons that she has learned.

I love this book, SO MUCH! I could not stop reading!

This is an unputdownable read! It is very reminiscent of Hotel Babylon and its multiple iterations. You get to see how the other half lives with the private jets as we follow Saskia who becomes a Flight Attendant for those with private jets. I ate this up like one of my favourite reality shows. This was truly a fun romp and would definitely read again and recommend!

The book tells the tale of Saskia Swann who hit rock bottom and through a chance encounter lands a job of being employed as a corporate flight attendant. The story provides a behind the scenes insight into what happens inside the private jets; the rich clients she meets and the highs and lows of working within this industry.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting. This memoir is written in the style of fiction and is very easy to read. Saskia is relatable and the story is told so vividly you can really picture the situations, the inside of the jet and the other characters. A wide range of situations are covered and I think if you enjoy reality TV you would definitely enjoy this read.

I recommend reading this book if you are interested in the secrets of corporate flight cabin crews as I think you’d be surprised!

Thank you to NetGalley & Lume Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've always had an interest in the career/life of being a flight attendant and everything it entails, so jumped at the chance to read this book and peek behind the curtain and I wasn't disappointed.
I do like reading non fiction books however this one read a bit like a novel which I think worked really well.
I couldn't put this down and read it in one day.
An easy, honest, entertaining read that flows really well.
Also I usually can't wait to finish a book, (mainly so I can read another one!) but I didn't want this to end! I hope that there is a second book as I would love to read more about Saskia and her life.
I loved it and think this would appeal to people who enjoy reading about glamorous lifestyles and rich people, but also those who want a behind the scenes look at a private flight attendants life and experiences.
Highly recommend!

Thank you #Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I could not put this book down and finished in two nights! I can't believe the situations that the private flight attendand Saskia has experienced during her career. I had always wondered with a private flight experience was like, and I never could have imagined everything she described! Everything was so fascinating from learning about how the jets are laid out, what the crew does to prepare and serve the guests, how the crew gets to stay in the locations and expense many of their experiences. Though there are the downsides of sexual exploitations that I would have not expected. Such an interesting read that I will recommend to others!

I requested this by accident, and when I got it I stuck to my "a deal's a deal," to read the whole ARC and give a review. I was delightfully surprised - it was a really fun, light, beach-type read, which was nice after being on lockdown for a year. I wonder what Ms. Swan is doing these days, since her wings have been effectively "clipped" with COVID?

Entertaining revelations.

I first heard about this book through an advert, and noticed the co-author's name. I had read and enjoyed another memoir quite some time ago which Nicola Stow collaborated on (Cabin Fever by Mandy Smith). Saskia Swann also worked for a leading airline, before making the move to work on private jets, ferrying around the rich and famous, and looking after their every need. Here are the stories she has to tell.

Back in 2003, Saskia was heavily in debt. This seemed like a dream job, and the answer to all her problems. Would it be? Or would there be a price to pay? This was a fast-moving and eye-opening memoir. I thought it was very good, and was quick, easy reading.

How the other half live! It's interesting to read about all walks of life, but, even if I was made of money, I wouldn't pay for a lavish private jet. I'd just want to 'get there' if flying abroad. I usually prefer to read of struggles, and how people come through them, but this was something different, and an interesting insight into how some people live.

Entertaining to have a nosey into different lives. Far more to it than just flying and getting refreshments. Unpredictable, addictive reading.

entertaining read of the world of the abundantly rich. The perspective of the stewardess is great, both serious and playful. I was not expecting the turn the book took with the relationship with one of the plane owners. I'm glad the story continued for her.

Above and Beyond – Saskia Swann and Nicola Stow

This book blew my mind! I read it in one night, I simply couldn’t put it down. I still can’t believe it’s a true account of Saskia’s life...it reads like a film script for a huge budget blockbuster.

I don’t want to give too much away because it is twists and turns a plenty and fast paced throughout – a struggling ex-air hostess, a chance encounter, a new career and then the sky truly is the limit!

I was shocked, appalled, jealous, thrilled, excited and stunned at points. I do think Saskia probably glosses over some of the less glamorous elements and doesn’t over emphasise how hard she has worked, the story could have stood more of both, but doesn’t suffer for the lack of them. The writing is honest and gripping and I absolutely loved it. I haven’t stopped telling friends about it since I finished reading it and I just wish I was 20 years younger, a couple of stone lighter and a million times better looking then I could have followed in her footsteps.
A word of warning – it is not for the fainthearted or perhaps for the staunch feminist depending on how you view certain aspects of her approach, but for me this fabulous lady comes out of this tale with her head held high, her bank balance substantially improved and a lifetime’s experience wrapped into a handful of years. Read this book! You will not be disappointed.

• I really enjoyed this - such an interesting insight into a career that not many people know much about, and told in a way that is both hilarious and heartfelt. I love reading memoirs and this is the first I’ve read like this.

• I kept having to remind myself that this is nonfiction! The way it was written totally sucks you in, and given how far removed the story is from my own life or anything i know, it’s easy to forget that some people actually live like this

• There are some sensitive subjects - particularly infidelity, unplanned pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage (chapter 17, 18), death of a child

• I thought the length was great - it’s a quick read but covers a good variety of stories and situations, it never felt like it was dragging on but there was enough material to not leave you feeling like you’ve missed something.

• I would agree that this is a great read for anyone who enjoys reality TV