Who is Otis Dublin - Flight Attendant and Social Media Content Creator.
I first noticed Otis’ Instagram account (@otis.dublin) in a post by the legend that is Captain Chris (@CaptainChris) back in September 2020, aptly titled ‘Instagram Bromance’ - they both work for Virgin Atlantic. Captain Chris is (you’ll probably not be surprised to find out) an airline captain, and in a previous interview I reached out to him to find out what it was like to be still flying (and training other pilots) in Covid times - you can read the full interview blog post here. All of the photography here are just examples of Otis’ incredible digital content he has taken from all around the world, including his most recent trip to Iceland.
It was such an inspiring post, where he talked about the amazing crew working with him at Virgin like Otis, and also how Otis had helped him find the right audience for his own @CaptainChris account which has now rocketed (excuse the aircraft pun) to now (at last look) well over 110k followers. If you follow Captain Chris, you’ll see his incredible photography and videography (particularly like the ones with the invisible selfie-stick), get some amazing insights into what it’s been like as a pilot during the pandemic and generally the life of a pilot, plus, like the Otis story, an aerial view (sorry, couldn’t resist) of working at Virgin and travelling all over the world with the rest of the crew.
Addendum
I originally posted this interview in May 2021, at the height of Covid. Since then (now August 2023) Otis’ Instagram profile has multiplied exponentially and he now has a following of over 22,000 and produces such high quality travel inspiration content. Not only is he a great ambassador for Virgin Atlantic, he has now been promoted to Cabin Manager.
Who is Otis Dublin?
I’m originally from the Caribbean island of Montserrat and moved to the UK after our volcano erupted and unfortunately destroyed ¾ of the island. With that move, new opportunities arose and my life certainly took a different path to what it most probably would have taken had I still been in Montserrat.
I became a flight attendant at 18 years old, and my hobby on the side is creating travel content from around the world on social media. I’ve been fortunate to feature in TV commercials, and online advertising for the company, which has been a lot of fun. The mural in Manchester has definitely been the highlight but I absolutely loved filming the TV advert for our “Depart the everyday” campaign.
The Private Traveller was able to put some questions to Otis and this is what he had to say.
Virgin Atlantic Advertising featuring Otis
The Private Traveller was able to put some questions to Otis and this is what he had to say.
At the start of the initial UK lockdown (March 2020), did you ever anticipate that there would be such a dramatic impact on travel?
Honestly, I don’t think anyone could have anticipated the level of disruption to travel that we’ve faced over the past year. It was definitely a hard time for so many of us.
In speaking with Captain Chris, it was clear that the mix between cargo and commercial flights changed dramatically in the lockdown period, but how did this affect you - I assume no cabin crew are needed on cargo flights?
Cabin crew are in fact needed on cargo flights. Many people don’t realise that our primary reason for being on board any aircraft is to ensure safety – not just of customers, but the aircraft as well, and this includes when customers aren’t onboard. On cargo flights the pilots will still be busy in the flight deck, so we’re the eyes and ears in the cabin to make sure that everything in the cabin is running smoothly.
I assume a lot of cabin crew have had to be furloughed for long periods of time - has this been the case with you? What’s kept you occupied?
Yes a lot of cabin crew were furloughed, myself included. I kept busy by working on my travel content creation and learning Spanish. Spanish is a beautiful language.
What was your journey to Virgin, had you always wanted to fly? What came first - the love of travel or becoming cabin crew?
Great question. I started flying for an airline called bmi (some will remember it as British Midland). I stayed there for a year, but my dream was always to work for Virgin.
From ever since I could remember, my passion has always been planes and travelling. My goal has always been to be a pilot actually, but I had put that on pause to save money for the pilot training. Whilst saving I decided to do the next best thing, which was to become a flight attendant, that way I’d still get to be on planes and travel all the time. So definitely the passion for travel came first.
How long did you have to train for, and I assume now you still have to undertake regular training and safety updates?
My initial training was approximately 6 very intense weeks. Once a year we have to complete a “recurrent” (refresher) course to make sure our knowledge and skills are still up to date. This includes theory and practical drills.
What’s better - a completely full flight which presumably means you never have a minute spare, or being less busy?
I love a full flight actually. It keeps us busy and going, especially on a long flight, but a less busy flight is sometimes a little gift ;) Customers love it being less busy too.
Clearly fitness is a big part of your life, how do you find you’re able to fit in training when your schedule must be disrupted by working unusual hours and travelling to so many different locations?
The great thing about hotels is that the vast majority of them have a gym, so even when I’m abroad I’m able to keep up with my workout routine, even if sometimes I’m a little tired from the flight, or the bar seems to be the better option.
On your amazing Instagram posts, you have a few where you’re flying British Airways? Is there rivalry between the two companies, or not generally between cabin crew?
Lol, friendly rivalry never hurt anyone. Obviously my number 1 choice will always be to fly Virgin when on holiday, but we don’t fly to all the destinations in the world, so sometimes you’ve got to go with the next best thing right? But seriously, as crew we always look after each other, no matter the airline. It’s an unwritten rule.
I think Instagram can be so good for starting conversations, seeing the link in the Captain Chris post to you started a conversation between us about Zanzibar, somewhere I have always wanted to visit. Of all your instagram posts, which is your favourite post and why?
That’s a tough one, but I’d say my time in Zanzibar was just incredible. It’s such a beautiful, scenic island with incredible beaches, great food and friendly locals. My photo with the Maasai definitely stands out in my mind. I captioned that “When two cultures meet” because it certainly encapsulated that western-meeting-tribal-culture vibe.
Are you able to fit in an extended travel stay when working, or do those amazing images from all over the world come from personal trips?
I wish. But as crew we’re very good at making great use of the limited time we get in the destinations. My photos tend to be from a mix of working trips and personal trips.
And finally, a quick-fire Top 10:
(1) What’s your favourite route? And why?
Havana, Cuba. Love the Latin culture, food and music.
(2) What’s the best place for a long layover?
Anywhere in the Caribbean. But I also love layovers in LA, and New York.
(3) Is there anywhere you wish Virgin flew; a location that you’d love to visit?
Colombia! My favourite place on earth, but unfortunately we don’t fly there… yet.
(4) Who has inspired you the most, and why?
That’s a hard one. I take little gems from the many different people I come into contact with.
(5) Who or what do you miss the most when you’re away with work?
I’m not away long enough to miss anything or anyone to be honest. Plus, I’ve made friends in most of the places I fly to, so I never get time to miss home.
(6) Maybe you need to keep this for your biography, but who’s been your favourite (celebrity or otherwise) passenger?
Now that would be telling ;)
(7) You clearly like to travel for leisure, are you a good passenger (when you’re not the one providing the in-flight service)?
I’m so self sufficient when I’m flying as a passenger. I always bring my own snacks with me. I try not to disturb the crew too much (it’s a crew thing, another unwritten rule), but I always try and have a brief chat with the crew in the galley when it’s quiet, that’s always fun.
(8) Economy, Premium or Upper Class?
Depends on my mood, but as a supervisor I mainly work in Economy.
(9) Best fitness tip for building an Otis chest?
Going heavy with the weights. Bench presses are great. And also eating/drinking lots of protein.
(10) Where’s your next trip?
I’m waiting on my next roster, but hopefully to the states, I have so much shopping to make.
Virgin Atlantic's Otis Dublin
