Ex-flight attendant spills the beans on celebs' behaviour in the air

(Clockwise from far left) Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, Taiwanese singer Richie Jen, Malaysian actress Lee Sinje and Hong Kong actor Louis Koo are celebrities popular with airline staff, according to a former Cathay Pacific air stewardess.
Taiwanese actress Shu Qi (above), Taiwanese singer Richie Jen, Malaysian actress Lee Sinje and Hong Kong actor Louis Koo are celebrities popular with airline staff, according to a former Cathay Pacific air stewardess. PHOTO: SHU QI/ INSTAGRAM
Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, (from left) Taiwanese singer Richie Jen, Malaysian actress Lee Sinje and Hong Kong actor Louis Koo are celebrities popular with airline staff, according to a former Cathay Pacific air stewardess. PHOTOS: RICHIE JEN/ INSTAGRAM, LEE SINJE/ INSTAGRAM, LOUIS KOO/ INSTAGRAM

Actors Louis Koo, Shu Qi and Maggie Cheung are among the celebrities who are most popular with airline staff - at least according to a former Cathay Pacific air stewardess.

The air stewardess, who called herself Ah Sa on her YouTube channel, attracted much buzz online after spilling the beans on the good, bad and laughable behaviour of celebrities on board a plane.

For example, she recalled how a superstar tried to show off his English but said: "I just want to pass away" when asking a passenger to allow him to pass through the aisle.

Ah Sa ranked Hong Kong actor Koo, 50, No. 1 on her top 10 list of nicest celebrities, and said he is friendly and handsome and that his manager is as nice as him.

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, 44, was second, as Ah Sa said Shu does not put on airs and will even take the initiative to chat with the flight attendants.

Shu once disclosed that she had thought about being a stewardess, but was unable to meet the height requirement. She also gave encouragement to the stewardesses as she said she knew their job is not easy.

Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung, 56, was ranked third as she is courteous and does not put on airs.

During a flight from Hong Kong to Paris, Ah Sa recalled that Cheung did not mind moving from her first-class seat to sit with her then French boyfriend in economy class after learning the seat beside him was empty.

In fourth place was Taiwanese singer Richie Jen, 54, whom Ah Sa described as a good husband.

During a flight from Hong Kong to Taipei, Jen was in first class while his wife and children were in economy class. After the plane took off, he went over to help his wife feed their children. He also helped her with the luggage before disembarkation.

No. 5 was Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat, 65, who once apologised to the crew for being the last one to board. He explained that he was late as he had been mobbed by fans.

Others on the list include Hong Kong singer Eason Chan, 46, who would take pictures together with the crew even though he was tired.

Chinese pop diva Faye Wong, 51, was also praised for being obliging when it comes to photo requests.

Her co-star in movie Chungking Express (1994), Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai, 58, also earned kudos for being gentlemanly and chatty.

One South-east Asian representative on the list is Malaysian actress Lee Sinje, 44, who made a good impression as she talks gently and loves to read books while flying. She was also observed to be taking good care of her stepdaughter during long-distance flights.

Ah Sa also listed the 10 worst celebrities. She did not name them, but only described their behaviour.

She said there was one male celebrity who would use expletives on the crew and even once said to the pilot in English that "you are just my driver".

She also mentioned a female celebrity who was known to be jovial on screen, but who displayed a bad attitude after crew members asked to take a photo with her.

As for the most unforgettable celebrity she had ever encountered, she said it would be the late Hong Kong singer-actor Leslie Cheung, who was friendly and suave. The star committed suicide at the age of 46 in 2003.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 03, 2020, with the headline Ex-flight attendant spills the beans on celebs' behaviour in the air. Subscribe