The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) team sat down with Mariya Stoyanova, Director of Product Development for JetBlue, as part of our Women in the Aviation series.
This series of interviews aims to shine a spotlight on notable women in the industry and the diverse career opportunities in the sector.
Mariya believes an open mind, confidence and being “comfortable with being uncomfortable” will carry women through any challenge the corporate aviation world can throw at them.
Read on to find out more about her journey in the industry.
How long have you worked in the aviation industry?
“I’ve been in the aviation industry for 15 years. I started my aviation career in the actual operation launching Aegean Airlines’ service in Sofia, Bulgaria where I am originally from. I joined JetBlue as an Analyst with our in-house consulting team working on cross functional projects 10 years ago.”
How did you get into the industry?
“Purely by chance. An airline recruiter came across my resume and called me up. Before that call I never imagined myself working in aviation. At the time I was working at an IT services company splitting my time between France and Bulgaria.
“Flying is no longer a privilege reserved for the wealthy.”
Mariya Stoyanova
As mentioned in my previous answer, I was asked to join Aegean Airlines and launch their operations in Sofia, Bulgaria. I had no idea what to expect but I was very curious about it and loved to travel so I gave it a shot.”
What is it about working in the aviation industry that appeals to you?
“It is the most dynamic and unpredictable industry I’ve ever worked in. No day is the same or like the one before. The best part about it is that you are connecting people, bringing them to new places or home to their loved ones.”
As a woman, how do you find working in such a male-dominated industry?
“I’ve always been laser focused on being good at my job and flying above any bias. Keeping an eye on the prize and being a team player pays off, and most importantly opens doors for more inclusion and diversity of thought.”
Have you encountered any gender discrimination in your career?
“I have definitely experienced some challenges as a young female executive, but with an open mind, confidence and a sense of humour everything can be overcome and/or course corrected.”
What do you believe has been the key to your success?
“Patience – good things don’t ever come easily. Persistence – failure is a temporary state and you can only learn from it. Authenticity – staying true to yourself and being genuine is critical to establishing relationships and becoming a leader.”
In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle to women succeeding in the workplace?
“Personally I have struggled finding the right voice for myself or more specifically the right tone. Often women can be perceived as aggressive when being confident. It took me a while to learn how apply the right amount and nuance of assertiveness while staying authentic and true to myself at the same time.”
What would you say has been your career highlight to date?
“Launching our award-winning Mint premium service (lie-flat seats, tapas-style artisanal dining, free entertainment and award-winning service on select coast-to-coast and Caribbean flights) and being part of its first test flight. We created a brand new and unique experience and until that very first flight we had no idea if what we had designed would ever work. It was epic!”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Don’t let a good crisis go to waste. There are always hidden opportunities when you are facing a challenging situation. It forces you to come up with creative solutions and think outside of the box and ultimately come out of it better off than initially planned.
“It is the most dynamic and unpredictable industry I’ve ever worked in.”
Mariya Stoyanova
Some of the best features of our award winning Mint product were invented as a result of some kind of “crisis” or challenge we faced. Become comfortable being uncomfortable…that’s the fastest way to learn and grow.”
What do you believe has been the biggest development in air travel over the past 25 years?
“Accessibility. Flying is no longer a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Over the past 25 years air travel has become accessible, affordable and inclusive, reaching remote parts of the world and people from all backgrounds that never imagined they’d be able to take advantage of and experience it.
“I had no idea what to expect but I was very curious about it and loved to travel so I gave it a shot.”
Mariya Stoyanova
Our next chapter has just begun and should be focused not only on accessibility but also on sustainability. Airlines should be connecting people and places in an environmentally responsible way, and passengers should be able to enjoy guilt-free travel.”
Who has been your biggest advocate/mentor in the workplace and why?
“My former boss, Jamie Perry. He really pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow and develop interest for areas that I didn’t even know existed before I started working with him.”
About Mariya Stoyanova
Mariya Stoyanova is the director of Product Development at JetBlue, where she oversees the customer experience from the ground to 35,000 feet. Her team is responsible for designing new customer products, including Mint, the airline’s award-winning premium cabin offering. Before joining JetBlue, she worked on process optimisation in the charter aviation business, where she focused on developing innovative ways of delivering services.