Stay Current PSA Newsroom

May 10, 2024

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander National Heritage Month: Check Flight Attendant Victoria Cavalheiro

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) National Heritage Month, which honors the arts, culture, traditions, history, and contributions of AANHPI people in the United States.  

In recognition of the month, we are highlighting Check Flight Attendant Victoria Cavalheiro. She started her aviation journey over a decade ago as a flight attendant and later served in various roles such as reservation agent, CSA, and with American Airlines TechOps. Eventually, her desire to return to her passion, Inflight, brought her to PSA.  

Today, Victoria shares her inspiring family story, cultural traditions, and what she cherishes the most about her culture.

“I come from a family of refugee immigrants from Laos. My mom was a widowed parent of a newborn, waiting for her chance to move from a refugee camp inside Bangkok. My grandfather had already escaped to the U.S., as he was a top authority figure in the Lao Royal Government that was overthrown. Although my grandmother was Thai and from Bueng Kan, Thailand, my mom only had a residence in Laos. This is why when they crossed the border to escape communism, my family was removed from our family’s home in Bueng Kan and sent to the refugee camp. She married and gave birth to my older sister in this camp.  

Eventually, my grandfather asked a church he was attending to help him get his family safe. My mom, at 19 years old, took her younger sister, two younger brothers, and her baby to the U.S. in 1983. Eventually, she got her GED and learned English. She worked in a factory for many years and still does, at 63 years old. The stories my mom would tell me about her journey to America always amaze me. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized how strong and courageous my mom was and continues to be. My mom has always shown me love and encouragement.”