EasyJet celebrates the birthday of its oldest employee – 73-year-old cabin crew member ‘Nana Pam’

EasyJet celebrates the birthday of its oldest employee, cabin crew member Pam Clark, who turns 73 this week.

The grandmother, soon to be great-grandmother, has flown more than 4,500 flights for the airline and served 800,000 passengers over the course of her career. Those taken under her wing include premiership footballers, TV stars and a ‘precious trombone who needs his own seat’, easyJet reveals.

Pam, a former hairdresser, was on an easyJet flight to Madrid 20 years ago when she picked up a recruitment ad and was inspired to fulfill her childhood dream of working in aviation – at the age of 53.

Despite her initial fears that she would stand out among younger colleagues, she found herself welcomed into the team and impressed the airline with her “exceptional customer service and people skills.”

Now Pam – known as ‘Nana Pam’ to her regular passengers – hopes to inspire others like her to follow their dreams, just as she did, in her newly appointed role as easyJet’s recruitment ambassador for people over 45.

Soon to be great-grandmother Pam, who turns 73 this week, has flown more than 4,500 easyJet flights and served 800,000 passengers over the course of her career

Pam has been newly appointed as easyJet’s recruitment ambassador for people over 45

Pam, who celebrated her birthday this week with an airplane-shaped cake, said: ‘My advice to anyone over 45 who is considering applying for a cabin crew position with easyJet is to go for it.

“When I applied for the position 20 years ago, I knew I had something very valuable to offer because of my age and experience.

‘Nowadays I meet more and more colleagues like me who have made a courageous career switch at a later age. Do not be afraid!’

She continues, “My favorite part of the job is meeting passengers from all over the world and giving them the most enjoyable travel experience possible. I am proud to work for a company where people come first.’

Since the launch of easyJet’s new over-45s recruitment campaign last year, the airline has received a 10 per cent increase in applications from employees aged 45 and over.

Twenty years ago, Pam saw a recruitment advert on an easyJet flight and was inspired to fulfill her childhood dream of working in aviation. Above is a framed photo showing her completing her recruit training

“My advice to anyone over the age of 45 who is considering applying for a cabin crew position with easyJet is to go for it,” says Pam.

The carrier’s survey last year found that 78 percent of parents aged 45 and older wanted a new challenge as soon as their kids flew out of the nest.

More than half (57 per cent) of the 2,000 Britons over the age of 45 surveyed said they hoped to find a career they were truly passionate about now that their children were no longer dependent on them, the airline reveals.

Jane Storm, Group People Director at easyJet, said: ‘At easyJet we put people at the heart of everything we do.

“We are incredibly proud to have Pam on our team and she is a testament to our warm and welcoming cabin crew, who are passionate about great customer service.

“We encourage people of all ages who share our passion to come on board and with Pam’s 73rd birthday just around the corner, we hope she inspires even more talented people to join us in the future.”

Prospective easyJet cabin crew can apply for the role on the airline website.