A North East woman who lost her husband has spoken about rebuilding her life and finding a new sense of purpose after becoming cabin crew and travelling the world.
Hannah Thomson, 29, from Newcastle, began working with TUI after the death of her husband left her unable to imagine a future for herself.
Ms Thomson said: "It was devastating, I couldn't see a future at all."
Hannah Thomson, 29, has found a a renewed sense of purpose through a career as cabin crew with TUI and travelling the world
(Image: Supplied)
After spending time focusing on her own wellbeing and studying part-time, she decided to travel solo at 27—a bold step for someone who describes herself as naturally shy and introverted.
Travelling to places like Morocco and Mexico helped her rediscover her confidence and independence, and a TUI flight to Cancun became the moment that changed everything.
She said: "I was sitting on the Dreamliner thinking how incredible it all felt and I remember asking myself, 'why not me?' That was the moment everything shifted."
Hannah Thomson, 29, has found a a renewed sense of purpose through a career as cabin crew with TUI and travelling the world
(Image: Supplied)
Ms Thomson applied to become TUI cabin crew shortly afterwards, seeing it not as leaving her past behind but as a way to rebuild her life after loss.
She said: "For the first time in a long time, I started believing there could be a positive future for me again."
Just weeks into her new career, Ms Thomson is already flying across Europe and beyond, with Italy quickly becoming one of her favourite destinations.
Hannah Thomson, 29, has found a a renewed sense of purpose through a career as cabin crew with TUI and travelling the world
(Image: Supplied)
She said the most surprising part of the job has been the impact she can have on others.
Ms Thomson said: "I know what it feels like to feel vulnerable.
"If I can make someone feel safe, cared for or even just a bit brighter, that means everything to me."
One of her most emotional moments came during her wings ceremony, where she carried a photo of her late husband.
Hannah Thomson, 29, has found a a renewed sense of purpose through a career as cabin crew with TUI and travelling the world
(Image: Supplied)
She said: "Standing there in uniform, receiving my wings after everything I'd been through, was overwhelming in the best way.
"It felt like he was still part of that journey."
Her first flight was also unforgettable, as her mum surprised her by joining as a passenger.
Ms Thomson said: "Seeing how happy she was after everything we'd both been through was really powerful.
"That's when it truly hit me that I'd rebuilt my life into something beautiful again."
To mark the occasion, she got a tattoo of her first flight route to Bourgas, a permanent reminder of how far she has come.
Ms Thomson said that the kindness she experienced from cabin crew during her own difficult times inspired her to pursue the role herself.
She said: "They make people feel safe without even knowing what they were going through.
"I wanted to be that person for someone else."
Ms Thomson also shares her experiences with grief on TikTok, and says she is inspired by the positive messages from people who say her story has encouraged them to take their first step forward.
She said: "Knowing my story has helped someone else believe in themselves makes everything I've been through feel worthwhile."
With Lapland on her travel bucket list and new destinations each week, Ms Thomson is embracing a life that once felt out of reach.
She hopes her journey will show others that even the hardest life changes can lead to something new.
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Her message to others who feel stuck or uncertain is simple.
She said: "Life can change in an instant. Don't ignore the things that make you happy, even if they scare you.
"I'm so grateful I had the chance to start again.
"Life can change in a moment, but sometimes the hardest chapters can lead you somewhere you never expected."