‘There are so many secrets about flying that would probably amaze everybody.’
Ashleigh Berry, a flight service manager, is perhaps better known as the energetic blonde from the most recent series of the hit Netflix show, Love is Blind UK.
Nicknamed ‘Combat Barbie’ due to her experience in the Army cadets, Ashleigh became quickly known for her positive, upbeat attitude – and her staunch dedication to her career as cabin crew.
Ashleigh’s worked in aviation for 12 years – and at Virgin Atlantic for the last 10.
As such, she has real insight into the industry she loves so much.
In the candid yet welcoming fashion for which she became known through the show, Ashleigh shares some of the biggest secrets about planes that passengers always seem to miss, with the Daily Mail.
Ashleigh reveals: ‘There’s probably areas on a plane that you don’t even know about that have got things for our guests.’
First up? A secret snack box.
Ashleigh Berry, a flight service manager, is perhaps better known as the energetic blonde from Love is Blind
Ashleigh says: ‘We have a secret wonder wall in premium – sometimes our customers aren’t aware of it, even if they purchased the ticket knowing it’s there.
‘It’s in the premium cabin and it has a selection of Virgin’s premium crisps we’ve designed, all sorts of gummies, you might even find an eye mask and extra pair of socks in there.’
And for customers not in premium, there are still plenty of hidden joys.
Ashleigh adds: ‘In the galleys we have a secret snack box – if it’s not on display, come into the galley and ask the cabin crew for anything else that’s not been offered.
‘We might have Oreos and those sorts of treats, like Rainbow drops for kids.’
It’s not just food and snacks on offer, either.
‘A really crucial thing that customers need to know about,’ Ashleigh says, ‘is that in the toilets we have sanitary pads and hygiene products available for you.
‘They are just under the sink, and you can absolutely help yourself to them, they are for you.
In the candid yet welcoming fashion for which she became known through the show, Ashleigh’s shared some of the biggest secrets about planes that passengers always seem to miss
‘You just press the button under the sink and they are generally there. I often get asked for those products and they are all available to our wonderful customers.’
Plus, a seemingly basic plane item has an extra use aboard flights.
The Love is Blind star explains: ‘The sick bag can be very versatile on board – it becomes anything you want it to be.
‘We get kids to draw on them, draw their favourite cabin crew member on board sometimes.
‘We get customers to guess the age of the pilot sometimes, if we’re creating a bit of a vibe and we want a bit of a competition feel on the Orlando flight.
‘So that sick bag is handy. Even if I had a message that I needed to deliver to a customer or crew member, it might be that I need to pass it on on a sick bag.’
Ashleigh’s also keen to reveal the reality behind life as cabin crew – and confesses staff may get set home if they don’t know all the right information.
She says: ‘The biggest secret I first think about is the fact we are so adaptable as cabin crew.
‘A really crucial thing that customers need to know about,’ Ashleigh says, ‘is that in the toilets we have sanitary pads and hygiene products available for you’
‘We start our duties two hours before customers and guests meet us.
‘And in that time I lead a briefing where we talk about all the eventualities we could have on that flight – whether that’s a decompression, losing cabin pressure, whether the pilot’s going to be sick in flight, how we’d deal with that, whether we had to evacuate today or deal with a fire on board.
‘These crew are tested on that before they even get on board.
‘If they don’t answer a question correctly they could be sent home or stood down.’
Since her appearance on Love is Blind, Ashleigh says she gets recognised all the time, even in the air.
She says: ‘I get recognised every single flight, probably because my voice is quite distinctive.
‘When I’m walking down the aisle serving mile-high tea, people stop me and ask, “Are you Ashleigh? Can I hear about the show? About love? About your adventures?”
‘I’ve even been given little love gifts – so they wish me the best of luck.
Since her appearance on Love is Blind, Ashleigh says she gets recognised all the time, even in the air
‘Someone gave me on an India flight a necklace that was a charm for falling in love, for finding the right person out there, and giving me hope and to aspire to keep going.’
One thing is abundantly clear – Ashleigh loves her work and is an advocate for standing by your career if it’s important to you.
She says: ‘My career is my identity and love should enhance your career, not limit it.
‘I would never leave my career for a man. I want someone to help me fly – and not clip my wings.’
