From hairdresser to Iron Maiden-pilot

Sara Johnsson (40) has been working as a First Officer at Norwegian since March 2024, but only after going through a major career change. Her first time being on an aircraft resulted in a fear of flying, and she was terrified of flying for a long time after that. Then an experience changed everything, but she was already on her way to a different career.

     - Eventually I got to sit in the cockpit, and I was absolutely amazed and fascinated. But I was in school to become a hairdresser           and kept following that path. 

After seven years of working as a hairdresser, owning a hair salon, doing fashion shows and more, she felt it was time to do something else. Becoming a pilot had grown a lot on her, and she decided to finally make the dream come true.

Taking the leap

     - One day I found out that a school in Gothenburg, where I lived, was holding an assessment for candidates for their pilot                   education. I applied and got an offer, but didn't have the money for the education or the math classes needed.  

Sara was determined to make her dream come true and with nine months left before the education started, she did everything it took. She rented out her chair at the hair salon, started working as a barista at Gardermoen Airport, and studied math.  

     - After nine months of hard work had passed, I started my education at Svensk Pilotutbildning (SPU). I worked part time as a               hairdresser and barista during my three years at SPU and graduated at age 29.

The first job

Getting a job as a pilot would prove to not be the easiest either. Sara applied for every position she came across, but there were few positions available at that time. One year later, Sara got her type rating for the B737, sold her apartment and moved to England. 

     - I was out flying aerobatics in England and got in contact with a man who gave my CV to someone who needed a pilot in a                B737 simulator. Three days later, Bruce Dickinson, singer in Iron Maiden called me. He had started a company and needed me in        the simulator for three days to exam the captains. I went and after those three days, he offered me a job. And that is how I got            my first job as a pilot.

A caring heart is key

Many years went by, and Sara had since been flying the B737, private jets all around the world, and then started missing home.   

     - I felt that it was time to come back home, and that is when I applied for a position at Norwegian. Norwegian was an obvious           choice for me. I have always had great experiences as a passenger, and I have friends working in the company who are very               happy. Also, the company values resonate with my own values. A caring heart is key for me. 

And then the Norwegian adventure started. Sara also values the connections she has made at the job, and the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable colleagues.  

     - Norwegian feels like a family. We care for each other, and we work together as a team. That’s one of the most important                   reasons why I chose to work at Norwegian. As a First Officer I take every chance to learn from my knowledgeable Captains.               For me it’s important to share experiences with both coworkers and the company. In that way we can make our everyday work           better and safer. 

She encourages others to apply for a job at Norwegian and says: 

     - At Norwegian you will be a part of a dynamic work environment in the Flightdeck. We are a team first and foremost. This                    creates a great environment to learn and to make the day safe and fun.