A group of former and existing airline cabin crew have got together to make something positive from the pandemic and launched their own travel business.
Their new Doors2Manual Travel Concierge service makes use of the crew’s very extensive knowledge of the best travel destinations around the world, coupled with their combined decades of experience and a ‘can-do’ attitude to the realities of travel.
As a result of the pandemic, most cabin crew lost their income and were furloughed, made redundant, took early retirement or simply had to wait it out. The crew behind Doors2Manual who worked or still work for several of the world’s leading airlines, decided to put their skills to good use.
They’re helping people book all types of holiday, including winter sports, and are working with Hays Travel, the UK’s biggest independent travel retailer, meaning all bookings are ABTA/ATOL protected. Their service is also completely free to holidaymakers.
The expanding Doors2Manual crew include Laura Reynolds who has more than 20 years’ experience visiting most of the world. Laura (pictured top left) was on holiday in Australia with her family when the pandemic hit and they were unable to get home for eight weeks Currently on maternity leave she will be back in the air as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic from next February, flying long-haul 3-4 times per month.
“Being airline crew means honest knowledge,” said Laura.
Fiona Mallinson (pictured top right) is based in Stansted and was cabin crew with Titan Airways before the pandemic, and whilst grounded worked at a hospital both in bio-security and as a Covid vaccinator. She has travelled extensively to all corners of the globe. During the pandemic Fiona also joined Project Wingman, a voluntary organisation that recreated airline lounges in hospitals serving tea, coffee and cake as well as organising donations. This was specifically for NHS staff to come along and take a breather at the height of the pandemic. Due to her job with Titan she discovered Greenland which she describes as “off-the-beaten-track” and “amazing” and has been back many times.
“The travel industry is all I know. For over 20 years I have worked in the industry, with 16 of those as airline cabin crew, visiting both European and long-haul destinations. With my knowledge, I have always had a passion and enthusiasm for planning my own, or friends and family’s holidays, so when the opportunity arose for me to join Doors2Manual, I knew it would be the perfect partnership,” said Fiona.
Doors2Manual crew are available to chat by phone, video call or email. Travellers can contact them through doors2manual.com
