An Akasa Air cabin crew member has gone viral after opening up about why she left the hotel industry to pursue a career in aviation. In an Instagram post, Isha, who shares content under the handle @isha_skydiaries, listed six reasons behind her decision, including long working hours, low pay and poor work-life balance. Her post has since sparked a debate online about careers in hospitality and aviation.
'Long working hours became normal'
According to Isha, one of the biggest reasons she left her hotel job was the demanding schedule. She said 12-hour shifts, and sometimes longer, had become a regular part of her life, leaving little time for herself.
She also said the salary did not reflect the effort and responsibility the job demanded.
"The effort, pressure, and responsibilities often didn't match the pay," she wrote.
Little appreciation, no work-life balance
Isha said another factor behind her decision was the lack of appreciation at work. She claimed that despite putting in her best effort, recognition was rare.
She also pointed to the absence of work-life balance, saying weekends, festivals and family occasions were often spent at work instead of with loved ones.
'It wasn't my dream'
Despite the challenges, Isha said the hospitality industry helped her grow professionally. However, she added that becoming a cabin crew member had always been her goal.
"It wasn't my dream. The hotel industry shaped me, but my heart was always set on becoming cabin crew. Chasing that dream was the best decision I made," she wrote.
Her post sparked a debate
The post also prompted discussion on Instagram. Some users argued that aviation and hospitality involve similar responsibilities, including long shifts, customer-facing roles and working under pressure.
Responding to one such comment, Isha said she did not leave because she found the work difficult.
"I have 2+ years of experience in the hotel industry, so I'm well aware of both the similarities and differences between hospitality and aviation. I didn't leave because I couldn't handle the work. I left because my dream was to become a cabin crew member, and the salary and career growth in aviation matched my goals better. Every industry has its own pros and cons, and I respect both," she wrote.
While her reasons reflect her personal experience, the post has resonated with many social media users and opened up a wider conversation about pay, working conditions and career aspirations in customer-facing industries.
