Flight attendant crowned Miss Northern Ireland

Low fare carrier Jet2.com is proud of cabin crew member Melissa Patton, who recently was selected as Miss Northern Ireland. An announcement on the Jet2.com website says:

19 year old Melissa Patton joined the company in 2006 and has been wowing our customers ever since and always been a winner in their eyes. We would like to wish her huge congratulations on this fantastic achievement.

Melissa rose through the ranks of the competition to be crowned Miss Northern Ireland on Monday evening and was presented with a tiara and sash from current Miss World. Besides picking up the title, Melissa, from Belfast, is now entered in to the Miss World pageant, held in China, on 1st December 2007.

So keep your fingers crossed for our girl and look out for her on your flight soon!

In an interview for the Belfast Telegraph, Miss Patton was asked, "How does [being Miss Northern Ireland] compare to your day job as an air hostess?" Her reply:

I've been working with Jet2 for nearly two years now and I think it's provided me with a really good background for my role as Miss Northern Ireland.

An important part of being an air hostess is grooming and presentation - that comes from having to have hair and make-up sorted for those 4am starts. I'm well used to early starts and meeting and greeting members of the public.

I'm also very punctual. The plane doesn't wait for you if you're not there.

Although I did my A levels in media studies, English literature and religious education, I didn't want to go to university. It was actually through an advert in the Belfast Telegraph that I applied for my job. I sent away my CV and cover letter to Jet2 for an interview and was recruited.

The interviewer also asked the new Miss Northern Ireland what she thought of the "size zero debate." She said:

I think young girls need more responsible role models than some of the women currently in the media. They need real life women who eat and have curves. I'm totally against size zero - young girls should not feel that they have to be a size they are naturally are not meant to be. It's not healthy.

Good luck to Melissa Patton in the upcoming Miss World competition.

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