This was almost a guilty pleasure type of read for me - I felt like I was peeping at a whole lot of stuff that I shouldn't have access to. It grabbed me fairly quickly, it's a really interesting life story and although I had to google several terms - I was able to keep up with what was going on. There were several times that I wanted to talk to Saskia as a friend, sometimes give her warnings and often times wanted to punch a few people in the mouth lol. I don't fly, I'm not rich and this is so far outside of my personal life that it would be easy to view it as fiction. I enjoyed the friendships that she made throughout her time w Pavel (even if I didn't like him at all). All in all, this was a pretty good read, would def recommend!! I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you like voyeuristic stories then you’ll love going along with Saskia as she recounts her time as a private jet attendant. There’s the typical wealthy clients outrageous activities, but there’s also surprising realness and friendship you can see with her coworkers who quickly become lifelong friends. That aspect makes this memoir more approachable and less showy which you might expect due to the nature of her job. It’s an engaging escapist read.

In the past, I loved reading memoirs about the adventures of « trolley dollies » from the heyday of commercial aviation back in the 50s and 60s. A TV documentary even fascinated me enough to write my own fiction novel about air hostesses and this incredibly exciting way of life. Needless to say that when I stumbled upon this new « modern-time » memoir on NetGalley, I knew I would immediately dive into it and really enjoy this read. What a rollercoaster of emotions! Saskia Swann has had a pretty hectic life and it’s definitely worthy of a book (I’m sure it would even make a good movie given the multiple dramatic twists and turns). It was a vivid, gripping account of the highs and lows of this decadent lifestyle. She doesn’t sugarcoat the more difficult parts of her adventures (it was at times very heartbreaking to read about her struggles), but it gives so much depth to her tale, you get a good sense of how far she’s gone. I found her final words in the epilogue very inspiring. A great message for strong women out there. Don’t be scared to chase your dreams, blaze your own trail and live an extraordinary life!

A look into the grossly indulgent live of flying private. Exposing the crass who treat others as if one is blessed to be in their presence? A bit of beach reading if I might say.

Excellent and gripping book.

I was thrilled, disgusted and shocked by the things that a flight attendant has to put up with and deal with. This was such an easy and fun read and it really gave me an insight into what is behind the luxury that we are all supposed to aspire to.

I really enjoyed the writing and think this book will be a best seller.

I requested this book as someone recommended it on social media. But for that I don’t think I would have been interested, but I was glad I took the recommendation as this is a bit of everything which makes it a good read.
Saskia’s memoir of life in the fast lane as a flight attendant on a private jet is an eye opener to say the least.

Salacious, horrifying, the embarrassment of the riches, glimpse into how the other half life, and possibly how far someone will go to get themselves out of debt. I didn’t always agree with Saskia’s life choices, but it was Saskia’s life, and as a grown woman they were her choices.

This does not make it a hard read though, I really want to say that this was a fun book, and it is, but there is a dark side being a Private Flight attendant to billionaires although Saskia does come out of it the other end. And can clearly look back on her life with few regrets.

This may be a bit to trashy for some people, but for me it was a good read and one of the hidden gems from this year.

I enjoyed this look into a niche area of the travel industry that few have experienced. I can't imagine surviving those long hours on little sleep and every changing demands. That said, I was really disappointed that the author effectively fast forwarded the most delicate emotional part of her story. I really wanted to know the change in mindset she went through, but we got a few page summary of over two years of time instead. There was a lot disclosed and discussed, so it made me even more curious about why that portion was left out. I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lume Books, and both authors for providing me with an e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Above and Beyond was pretty close to what I expected, a salacious look at some of the more sordid things that go on behind the scenes in the lives of high net worth individuals. That peek behind the curtain that people feel they're getting while reading Deuxmoi posts in Instagram. The book delivered as advertised.

Saskia's experiences as a flight attendant on private jets were sometimes amusing, but a lot of times really sad. Some of the major plot points were things that were pretty easily predictable for me, but a lot of that is due to my own past choices and experiences. Her story was oddly relatable to me.

The writing style wasn't really for me. But that's just personal preference and I'm sure there are many who would love it. I did feel some of her descriptions of people's physical attributes were a bit judgemental and body shamey.

Above and Beyond left me with some questions, the main one being how she was able to work around the signed NDAs that she mentioned and write a book detailing events of a private nature. I assume it's because some expired, or because enough details about her employers were changed that a reader couldn't reasonably deduce who they were (though "Mark" in Monaco towards the end, who was only mentioned in passing and without any private details, instantly made me wonder of he was SPG.).

Parts of the memoir read as a cautionary tale, but parts read as a recruitment pamphlet for the industry, which was a confusing dynamic. Overall, though, I enjoyed it. It was a quick read. I had never given much thought to the private air service industry aside from some anonymous posts on social media accounts so it was interesting to learn more about it.

Saskia Swann's Above and Beyond is a compelling dive into the lifestyles of the uber-wealthy who own and travel by private jet. First impression: Ms. Swann wrote an entertaining, informative and well-paced mini-memoir of her time as a private plane flight attendant. I loved this glimpse into the world of doing whatever and going wherever your whims take you! Second impression: WOW are some of these people SELF INDULGENT and ENTITLED! It boggles the mind what could be done for the benefit of mankind with a fraction of this money. Third impression: I wish Ms. Swann had 1) kept the envelope of cash, 2) sold the gifts she received from Pavel and bought Google and Amazon stock, and 3) found a nice life partner along the way. 5-stars for this book within the mini-memoir genre. Thank you #netgalley for a fun and eye opening read of #AboveAndBeyond.

Reading this was like watching an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Saskia, deep in debt, begins working for a Russian billionaire as part of,his private jet crew. It was boggling to read about the lavish accommodations and jetting around the globe. Something I suspected was revealed fairly early on in the memoir. It’s a lavish lifestyle, but very limiting. Saskia was constantly at the beck and call of her employer. Personally, I don’t see the payouts begin commiserate with the expectations. It was an interesting read and just confirms my casual lifestyle of T-shirts and yoga pants is my true calling.

An enjoyable and entertaining memoir of Saskia, a private flight attendant. A very easy read. Shows the highs and lows of life as a private flight attendant, from the lifestyle of gifts and perks, to the darker side of power of the rich.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in review of an honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lume Books for the review copy. Although I received this book as a review copy, are all of my words honest, and I do only give my true opinions.

Do you know what life is like as a flight attendant? Traveling the world and meeting all kinds of people. Well, that is just a small part of it.

I was very excited when I first read the description of the book. And now as I have finished the book, I am equally or even more excited about "Above and beyond". This is just a brilliant book. I have always wondered what the life of a flight attendant really is. In the book, we hear the story of Saskia Swann and her life as a flight attendant and getting the job on a private jet. The story is written in cooperation with the journalist Nicola Stow.

This is a very honest book. We hear the true story of Saskia Swann and all of the behind-the-scenes of a flight attendant on a private jet - or at least how it was for Saskia Swann.

This is, however, and unfortunately, not just a fun story. It is also a serious and somewhat sad story. It is a story of power and money as much as a story of airplanes and flight attendants. There is quite a twist to the story and one with some huge consequences for Saskia Swann. I do not want to spoil too much of it because it is so well-described in the book, but you will hear about sexual abuse and boss-power in the story. Quite an eye-opener and a brutally honest story.

The book is very well-written in an enjoyable language. The stories are exciting and engaging, and I loved the read.

This is a very honest book with an important story to tell!

I really enjoyed this book, outrageous and pretty fabulous! stories of Saskia's life as a private air steward, and what a life! very enjoyable.
*Spoiler* Reading about the sexual exploits, or rather expectations, is rather uncomfortable and doesn't reflect very well on the clients, maybe I'm naive but I found it distasteful that billionaires expected that money could buy them literally anything from their staff, but hey live and let live. I found Pavel to be a sad character However I was cheering Saskia on at the end when she called a client out on it.
Such a great, light and absorbing read, thank you to Netgalley and Lume Books for the advance fopy

This was such a fun book. To be a fly on the wall with a high class flight attendant. Great stories.

Thanks to authors, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Really enjoyed this book, raced through it over the Easter weekend.

Saskia Swann pulls back the curtain on the insane demands of the billionaires flying around the world in opulent private jets.

If you've ever wondered what goes on, read this book to get insights into the extravagances that are routinely delivered by the seemingly endless wealth of the worlds oligarchs.

However behind the rose petals and vintage champagne, Saskia tells the human stories from both sides, from the flight attendants and pilots to their clients - with some eye opening consequences.

Highly recommended!

Above and Beyond by Saskia Swann and Nicola Stow is a fast paced memoir about life above 30,000 feet. Saskia Swann is brutally honest about the life of a private jet flight attendant. Deep in debt, Saskia leaves the commercial airlines to look for a more lucrative job, but she finds herself back in the world of aviation based on a tip from a fellow barfly. She is ushered in the elite and posh world of attending to the ultra-wealthy. Initially, she is bewitched by the gorgeous flight attire – which comes from Harrod’s quarterly. Saskia also enjoys making a decent wage for the first time in her adult life. But as she soon learns, there is a downside to serving billionaires who are used to getting everything they want.

While I didn’t care for many of Swann’s choices in her professional life, I did appreciate her honesty. She reveals a lot about her life and doesn’t shy away from sharing the more unsavory parts of her job, or the fallouts from her choices. She doesn’t romanticize it. The writing moves quickly, but sometimes lacks finesse.

If readers love reality TV or memoirs like, Cruising Attitude, then Above and Beyond by Saskia Swann and Nicola Stow would be a great, fun read to add their shelves.

I think this was an interesting book with lots of funny and exciting parts. I've never even thought about private air hostesses but it was a revelation to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lume books for the opportunity to read Above and Beyond so that I may provide an honest review.

I couldn't put this book down! This fast-paced, light and funny memoir allows the reader to go behind the scenes and into the cabins of the private jets of the mega rich where nondisclosures agreements are a must and high-end designer uniforms are just one of the many perks. I found Saskia Swann to be entirely relatable as she confronts the responsibilities of paying off debt incurred during her early years as a globe-trotting commercial flight attendant where she developed "champagne tastes with a cava budget" and allowed her credit cards to make up the difference. Faced with a mountain of debt, Saskis hustles by taking on temp jobs before a serendipitous meeting leads to her role as part of a cabin crew on a private jet. Saskia Swann and Nicola Stow write vividly of the highs and lows Saskia experiences as she navigates this rarified world and confronts the moral dilemmas posed by her requirement of absolute secrecy and the additional, unspoken expectations of her job.

Ever been on a private jet? No, me neither but we’ve all seen the highflying Kardashian clan and Real Housewives of ..... jetting off at short notice to glamorous destinations in a creamy leather seated private jet with the champagne flowing. As soon as I read the description of this book I was curious to find out more.
This book opens with Saskia a former air hostess struggling to pay off her credit card debt through her temping jobs, she has a shopping addiction and is wondering how to turn her life around. Then on a rainy day, a chance encounter with a stranger in a bar leads to her being offered a £45,000 pa job as a private flight attendant for a mysterious Russian businessman.
Soon Saskia is jetting all over the world wearing her Prada uniform, staying in five star hotels and meeting the whims and desires of her married boss Pavel. Her duties vary from scrubbing toilets to secret assignations with the boss. She dishes the dirt on various escapades and adventures - some good, some less so.
What I liked about this memoir was getting the lowdown on the seemingly glamorous lifestyle but realising that there were severe limitations on her ability to lead a meaningful life when not working. The portrayal of Saskia’s colleagues and her friendships was well depicted. I found her justification for having a “relationship” with Pavel a bit disingenuous but that’s down to my personal morals and am sure that different readers will take their own stance on this.
If you’re thinking of working as private jet attendant this book is definitely for you.
This is a light, frothy read which I read in one sitting - perfect for by the pool.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lume Books for the e-arc in return for an honest review.

Full disclosure: I sometimes get books free for review purposes, although my ratings and reviews are fully my own. When I requested Above and Beyond: Secrets of a Private Flight Attendant, I assumed it would be one of those ARCs (advanced reader copies) I enjoyed but never would have been willing to actually buy. Fortunately, I was wrong.

*Above and Beyond book cover image*
“If there’s one thing working in this industry has confirmed for me, it’s that money doesn’t buy you happiness. Being well off is certainly a bonus if you’re already happy, but I don’t believe that lifestyle is something to chase to make you happy.”

Above and Beyond is the memoir of Saskia Swann, a career flight attendant who documented her switch from commercial to private flight, in all its glamour and garishness. To me, it checked all the boxes of a great memoir. Saska wrote with a charming and personal voice. She shared private thoughts, entertaining anecdotes, and she provided a surprisingly nuanced critique of the industry.

Swann’s memoir could not have been released at a more perfect time* than when we’re starving for tales of travel in the midst of this pandemic and also reeling from the effects and (sometimes) startling revelations of the #metoo movement.

* Above and Beyond will be released by Lume Books on June 3, 2021