A THOMAS Cook flight attendant slapped on a smile, put on her uniform and held her head high as part of efforts to get customers home.

Kind Jessica Downes, 20, championed 'Thomas Cook spirit till the end' following the collapse of the company.

Jessica, of Towyn, has been working on the repatriation flights from out of Birmingham. The former Ysgol Bryn Elian and Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan pupil, in Abergele, described last week as 'absolutely devastating'.

Jessica, who has been working for the firm for two years, said: "We are very much a family at Thomas Cook. I've taken each day as it comes.

"The news about Thomas Cook collapsing was broken to us the same way as everyone else - via the news. All weekend was nail biting and a lot of Thomas Cook crew felt on edge. We were researching Thomas Cook on the internet to see if there was any updates via the news. Unfortunately I found out at 2am on Monday morning [September 23] that the company had ceased trading."

Jessica lives in Yardley, Birmingham, and has been based there for flights.

Jessica and other crew members are trained on ACMI aircrafts - Aircraft Leasing. This is where planes and pilots are 'hired' and Thomas Cook staff work on them.

"We do not have any guarantees if we will get paid," Jessica added.

"We are expected to fly out as normal with an empty and delayed planes as part of the repatriation on ACMI aircraft only. This means I am still expected to get up, put on my uniform, slap a smile on my face and get to work, having to deal with passengers that are upset, angry and just sympathetic with the crew, all while knowing that our career has gone just like that.

"I am kind of one of the lucky people who doesn't have a mortgage, bills or children to care for.

"I am so blessed to have such incredible and supportive parents but the majority of Thomas Cook employees have all got children to support and some of the cabin crew have not just lost one income but two. For example - their husbands are pilots for Thomas Cook.

"I am absolutely devastated for them, for each and everyone of us really. The way we got told was really appalling."

Jessica will be taking away with her some highlights and memories.

"These include listening to the Galley FM at 3.30am in the morning, having a good gossip with the crew whilst eating away our James Martin cooked breakfasts," she added.

"I will also take away friendships that I have made over the last two years and will never forget all the time I've spent laughing with passengers and my Thomas Cook family.

"We have all supported one another and kept our heads held high and stuck together at this unbelievable and tragic time."

Jessica hopes she can secure another job in the industry.

She said: "I will 100 per cent try and get a job working as cabin crew. It's been my dream job from a very young age and it was extremely difficult to get into. The training was highly intense and to just find out it has all gone, I was absolutely gutted.

"Cabin crew is such a rewarding job and Thomas Cook made me feel so at home. As cabin crew you are constantly making new friends on every flight you do."