Nordin Razali, a senior cabin crew member at AirAsia, discusses his 35-year aviation career, his secret to staying youthful, the challenges he has faced in the airline and service industries, and more.
Flying High at 60
Unlike other people his age who are enjoying their retirement, this 60-year-old, cool-looking man is still passionately flying at 34,000 feet in the clear blue skies, serving people.
Nordin Razali, the oldest cabin crew member in the AirAsia family, stole the limelight on social media after the airline uploaded a video celebrating his retirement on TikTok on July 1.
However, AirAsia has extended an offer for a one-year contract, allowing Nordin to continue working for the world’s best low-cost airline since he is still fit to work.
Mental toughness: Vital in the service industry
This youthful-looking flight attendant revealed in a recent special interview that while the general public views his line of work as easy and enjoyable, it actually demands a great deal of mental toughness.
“I started working in the airline industry in 1989 after receiving my diploma, serving as cabin crew for Malaysia Airlines until I joined AirAsia in 2008.
“To be honest, we stand for extended periods on various sectors, work erratic hours, resolve disputes and problems, maintain the cabin and restrooms, and perform tarmac or gate duties.
“We really need to be able to diffuse any heated situation since we deal with many people from different backgrounds and with various personalities.
“As cabin crew, we should be able to cheer up passengers with our warm, bright smiles, even on our darkest days.
“Moreover, we need to remain composed and sharp-witted in unforeseen circumstances, such as air turbulence, dealing with unreasonable passengers, assisting passengers who are giving birth, and more.
“Can you imagine how passengers would react if the cabin crew were panicking?” said the energetic air steward.
To reduce stress, he said he would ignore the unfavourable rumours spread about him.
He claimed that he has a better understanding of himself and that what matters most is providing his family with a comfortable life and the best education possible.
“I am proud of my family. My wife, who is also a business owner, is my backbone.
“My eldest child is a lecturer, my second child is an engineer, my third child is having an interview today, and my only son is studying mechanical engineering,” he said, adding that he also applies his passenger-handling expertise and calmness to his personal life.
As the head of the family and father, Nordin said he has imparted values learned from reading books on human psychology, health, and life to his family members, treating them with respect, patience, and honesty.
Tricks for staying young and calm
Many people would find it hard to believe that Nordin is 60 years old based solely on his physical appearance.
He looks more like a man in his 40s, with black hair, a youthful appearance, and few visible wrinkles.
This father of four — three daughters and a son — shared that eating right, exercising, reciting zikr (a practice for Muslims to keep Allah in their mind and heart throughout their day), and being blessed with good genes are the keys to his youthful appearance.
According to this Kuchingite, as a cabin crew member who needs to maintain his appearance, he places a lot of emphasis on his diet. He enjoys cereals for breakfast, increases his intake of fruits and vegetables, and avoids processed foods.
“My job requires me to be physically strong and maintain a good appearance, so I also take various supplements to stay healthy and follow proper skincare routines.
“In addition to working out at the gym, I practice qigong, a part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves exercises designed to optimise energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and wellbeing.
“I began to learn about and fell in love with qigong when I turned 50.
“The slow movements and breathwork of qigong are said to stimulate the life force (qi) that flows through our body and help strengthen our mind-body connection.
“Qigong really helped me learn proper breathing techniques — it was very useful in stressful situations, especially at work,” explained the AirAsia senior cabin crew member.
Elaborating, Nordin, who had spent the previous 16 years working for AirAsia, said that since he and his spouse enjoy being outdoors, he makes the most of his days off and vacations by taking his kids camping, glamping, cycling, or hiking.
Just so you know, this young-at-heart senior air steward conquered the peak of Mount Fuji, Japan, when he was 54 years old! Isn’t that a fantastic accomplishment?
“Kampung Telok Serabang, Pak Jemat Campsite (both in Sematan), Darmery Beach in Lundu, and Pantai Puteri in Kampung Santubong are some of my favourite camping and glamping spots.
“Because I spend most of my time away from my family due to work duties, these outdoor activities not only help me maintain my physical fitness and health but also improve my relationship with them,” he said.
Minor challenges
This devoted husband and father noted that his career, like any other job, has its ups and downs.
Nevertheless, he claimed that his self-assurance has been a driving force behind his advancement within the company and with management.
“Over time, the airline industry has evolved, and today’s market is centred around technological comfort.
“People my age tend to be a little behind, especially when it comes to keeping up with the latest technology. I have learned a lot from my kids and younger staff, and I need to pick things up quickly.
“I also recognise that my work style differs from that of the younger (Millennial and Gen Z) generations, so I have to adapt to the changes around me.
“Therefore, I read a lot of books on human psychology because it has really helped me connect with them and keep up,” he explained.
Words of encouragement
With a wealth of life lessons, successes, and disappointments under his belt, Nordin encouraged young people who want to work as flight attendants to pursue their goals.
“I am not an influencer; however, I can share the knowledge and advice I’ve gained.
“Working as cabin crew is fun because you get to learn new things every day, whether at work or elsewhere, but be aware that there are many responsibilities involved in every aspect of the job.
“You need to maintain good time management skills, be mentally prepared for any emergency that may arise on board, and stay physically fit if you wish to work as cabin crew.
“One more thing — don’t forget that knowledge is power. It helps us overcome our weaknesses, flaws, and potentially harmful situations,” said the senior cabin crew member.
He went on to say that one advantage of working as a cabin crew member is the flexibility of their schedules, which allows them to pursue part-time studies.
He also mentioned that he completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2018.
So, if you’ve been considering a career in aviation and possess determination, persistence, a “Make It Happen” attitude, an inexhaustible smile, boundless energy, and dedication to making AirAsia the best airline, visit their website (mycareer.airasia.com) to see the core requirements and current vacancies.
Perhaps you are the candidate AirAsia has been searching for!
