Ask the former crew: Iris Lim on being Cathay Pacific cabin crew

Former Cathay Pacific Chief Purser (a role now known as Inflight Service Manager) and grooming counsellor Iris Lim reflects on the destinations she loves, the passengers she’ll never forget and the values that continue to define excellence on board. She tells her story below.

My favourite destination was Rome. In those days we had long layovers, which really gave us time to explore. We worked hard and we played hard, and every trip felt like a new adventure. We’d discover other parts of Italy together, from the Amalfi Coast and Capri to Naples and beyond. Later, Vancouver became very special to me. When Cathay Pacific started flying there in the 1980s, I fell in love with the city and even took up skiing.

Rome was all about exploration – the Colosseum, Vatican City and all the places we’d learned about in history books. Then there were the simple pleasures: coffee, pizza, pasta and wandering the city. I attended Sunday Mass at the Vatican and found myself standing near the Pope as he blessed the crowd. It’s a moment that has stayed with me ever since. Every time I visited Rome, I made sure to stop at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in. “I’ll see you soon,” I’d say. I suppose it worked because I’m still going back today. Italy remains one of my favourite places.

I visit Milan every year with my husband. We love the food, the shopping and the easy access to places such as Lake Como. More recently, I’ve developed a real appreciation for Shanghai. There’s so much culture, great food and so many interesting neighbourhoods to explore. It’s a city that constantly surprises me.

I joined Cathay Pacific in 1972. Being a flight attendant was my dream job because it offered me the best way to see the world. Everywhere I’d learned about in geography and history lessons was suddenly right in front of me. I remember arriving in new destinations and having to pinch myself as I couldn’t believe I was actually there.

My message to current cabin crew is simple: have passion for the job. Cabin crew are the face of the airline, and the passengers are incredibly important.

Cathay Pacific has reached its 80th year because of the loyalty and support of its customers, so showing gratitude matters. Professionalism, self-presentation and pride in what you do never go out of style.

Retiring as a chief purser didn’t mean leaving Cathay Pacific. Instead, it marked the beginning of a second career. I moved into a ground-based role as a grooming counsellor and spent more than 25 years training thousands of people. Before joining Cathay Pacific, I’d studied beauty therapy, so the role felt like a natural fit. Later, I took on responsibility for uniform and grooming projects, including helping create the famous uniform shows. Looking back, it was incredibly rewarding to contribute to Cathay Pacific’s story both in the air and on the ground. Now, I’m happy to leave it to the new generation to continue that journey.