Some of our amazing colleagues at the office actually first started their careers as our crew. Rita Stipniece, our Crew Contracts and Employment Manager, has been with us for almost 22 years – first taking off as cabin crew back when SmartLynx was called LatCharter.

 “I come from a small town in northern Latvia, and aviation was never something I’d dreamed of – or even considered,” Rita shares. One day, back in 2003, she came across a newspaper ad – LatCharter was hiring cabin crew. “I thought, ‘Why not?’ and sent in my CV. Honestly, I’d forgotten about it until I got a call for a phone screening. That led to an interview at the head office, and then a six-month training program,” she adds.

Rita loved flying, but she was always drawn to new challenges. During some changes in the company, it felt like the right time to move from the skies into an office role. Over the years, she’s supported both cabin and flight deck teams through roles in crew control, planning, travel, uniforms, and now in Crew HR.

“Looking back at my journey in SmartLynx, I’ve often found myself in unusual situations – joining departments that were just being built from scratch,” she says. Around 18 years ago, she was one of just two people handling crew control, planning, and travel. “I witnessed how this modest setup gradually evolved into a fully structured department.”

Though she no longer flies, Rita says the skills she learned onboard are still with her. “Cabin crew duties are deeply rooted in procedures and regulations, but the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the role teaches you patience, resilience, adaptability – and creativity,” she says. “You learn to stay calm and find solutions when it feels like there are none. Those lessons have helped me in every role since,” Rita adds.

What was the best part of cabin crew life? “Even though early morning departures or overnight flights could be exhausting – and passengers occasionally tested your patience in ways you never thought possible – there was always a thrill that made it all worthwhile,” Rita shares. “The unpredictability of each day was part of the magic. You never knew – will you be wandering the streets of Rome, discovering the natural beauty of Croatia, driving across Cyprus from coast to coast, training Virgin Nigeria crew and spending time in Lagos, landing in Kabul airport, or enjoying a rare 10-day layover in sunny Tenerife,” she says.

Rita, thank you for everything you’ve brought to the team over the years!