March 24, 2025 • 13 mins
Breeze Airways CGO Fiona Kiesel, with 25 years in the industry, discusses how Breeze goes above and beyond for their customers and community.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Erica DeLong for the Carolina Podcast Network where we talked
to leaders throughout the community near and far. And you
just flew in, Fiona Diesel, like Diesel, who is the
chief guest officer from Breeze Airways. You literally just flew in,
came to our studios, Hello and welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Thank you so much. It's great to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
And you're the chief guest officer. So how is your
role different from other leadership roles for Breeze Airways?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Chief guest officer for Breeze is similar to a chief
customer officer, but we don't call our customers customers.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
We call them.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Guests because they really are our guests on board our flights.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Okay, and so you've had twenty five years experience in
the industry, eighteen years in leadership. This is a tough role,
especially lately, and of course airlines are in the news
constantly these days. But Breeze is always dependable because I
have been flying with you guys multiple times, never had
an issue. My kids are happy. Actually, one of the
flight attendants was so kind made a viral video of
(00:58):
how generous they were to my family.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. We really do
pride ourselves on a few things. One is being nice.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Right. We hire our flight attendants.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
And all of our team members, we hire them for
their nice attitudes, and then we train to all of
the technical aspects of the role. That really creates a
differentiated experience for Breeze and on time performance. It's something
that is a challenge to every airline, but it's a
huge focus for us.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Being in a leadership role for several years now. What advice,
what tips do you have for someone that aspires to
be at the top of a big corporation or a
big company.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I would say the things that have really gotten me
through my career are not to focus on what maybe
I don't think I can do, not to create any
barriers for myself that may not really exist. Try everything
but your best shot, show up it's your best self
every day, and do all that you can in every role.
(02:00):
I would also say one of the things that has
really really worked well for me is to get comfortable
getting out of my comfort zone. So there's been a
lot of roles that I've taken as lateral roles within
the airline industry, and they were things that I never
envisioned myself doing things like leading a team in facility
(02:23):
and ground equipment maintenance or on the ramp. I never
pictured myself doing those things, and when the opportunity came
to me, I thought, well, why not, I'm going to
try it. And what's really worked well for me is
to try those things give it my best. I saw
time after time that I would succeed in those roles,
(02:46):
and not only did it give me the self confidence
I needed that I could do a lot of things
that I didn't think I could do, it gave others
that confidence in me too, that they could put me
in a role, no matter what it was, and I
would give it my best and succeed.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
And you say get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is
a term I've heard many times, and that's when you
know that you're growing. Have you ever dealt with imposter
syndrome when you do feel uncomfortable in some of these roles.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
I don't know a female in the airline industry that
doesn't catch themselves at least daily right a feeling imposter syndrome.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Yes, absolutely, very frequently.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I'm one of the only or one of just a
few women in a large room, particularly given that I
have a lot of operational responsibility. A large room of men,
or a large room of anybody who doesn't really look
the same as I do. Definitely the imposter syndrome. I
don't know how to keep it from coming. I don't
(03:48):
know that anybody does. But when it comes, I just
remind myself that I can do hard things and that
I can do things that I maybe didn't think I
could originally do.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
How would you say you've demanded that respect from your
male co workers, Because just like radio, this is a
very male dominant business. I've worked hard to earn that respect.
So in your role, how would you say you've earned
respect from those coworkers.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
By doing my best, by doing a good job with
everything I do. I don't think there's anything necessarily that
anyone can say or do to show that they deserve
something other than do the job and do it well
and become someone that people can count on.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Yeah, Breeze Airways is really big on giving back. You
guys are a part of our back to school supply drive,
our toy drive which is huge here in the Rally
Duram area. Of course, Women's History Month you're involved with that,
so we're so thankful. Why is it so important that
Breeze Airways gives back to the community.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Well, it's really what the airline is all about. We
started and we continue to be an airline that serves
underserved communities, and underserved can mean a lot of different things.
It can be a commune unity or an airport that
historically head service that doesn't anymore. It can be a
community like we work with Autism Double Checked to help
(05:10):
autistic kids get comfortable with flying on an airplane. There's
all kinds of communities and that is really what our
airline is about, is giving air service to those communities
and opening up the flying experience for a broader group
of people. And it really just feels good. All of
(05:32):
our team members just love doing what they do.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Is there something that's coming up that you are working
towards that you could share it's going to be happening
with Breeze Airways or any projects in place for the company.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Well, we've got a lot of exciting things. I think
we've got a couple of awards coming and I don't
know that those have been made public yet, but they're
very exciting.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
We are growing. We announced last week that we're going.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
To start service to Key West, Florida, which is really
very hat me very happy. So am I We started
recently a partnership with Make a Wish and I've joined
a couple of Make a Wish flights and it is
just incredibly rewarding to see that. But really we just
continue to grow.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah, and you've extended service from the RDU airport to
other like I think it was Hartford, Connecticut, so Breeze
Airways continuously growing. What advice do you have for those
young minds listening right now that aspire to be in
a leadership role, or maybe they want to break into
the airline industry but they're not sure how to do it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
I would say to just get your foot in the door.
Any level of role within the airline industry is super
exciting anywhere anywhere.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
It could be our headquarters office, it could be in
a station.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
There's really room for growth wherever you start out in
the airline industry. And that's really what I did.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
I started out in nineteen ninety nine.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I took an entry level clerical accounting type just because
I knew I wanted to be at an airline, but
I didn't really know yet what I wanted to do,
so I started there and just kept watching what was
happening in the airline, moving around between roles until I
found things that I really really loved. And you know,
(07:16):
it's just do anything in the airline industry. It's an
amazing business to be in and never a dull moment.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Do you get to fly everywhere for free? Because that's
the one thing people are like, wait, are you flying
everywhere for free?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Pretty much? I mean there are some limits, but.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Yes, okay, So the inside advice? Then, is there a
day that is the best time to buy a fly
or that doesn't matter?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
It's a hoax, it doesn't matter. I have heard rumors
that certain days of the week are better. There's a
thing called ticket Tuesdays that I'm not sure a lot
of people know about, where if you go to the
airport within a certain couple hour timeframe and buy a
ticket at the ticket counter, they waive the technology fees
that are usually on tickets.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Oh that's good to know, Yes, okay, good. I live
near the airport, so that's fantastic. Is there someone that
has inspired you that you want to give a shout
out to? How did they inspire you?
Speaker 3 (08:07):
I think if we're talking really about given that it's
women's history months, right, maybe I'll talk about from a
female perspective. I think, you know when I in fact,
when I was going way back with women's history, when
the year I was born, women like my mom still
(08:28):
couldn't get a credit card without having a male to
co sign for them. So it was I'm dating myself
a little bit.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Maybe no, but this is so while to think of
how that we've grown over the years.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
And back then it was just the expectation that girls
grew up and they were the caregiver of the household,
and you watched Disney. I watched Disney Princess movies and
it was the Prince would come in and save the princess.
You play with dolls, you play house and get it
(09:00):
toy kitchen, and you're just that's how you grow up
envisioning yourself as an adult. Same I think at the
time with boys, and it's really really hard to get
out of the mindset and to start to see yourself
in your future as something that you never in your
(09:21):
childhood thought you would be right, I think again, just
getting out of the comfort zone. I can't name a
single woman who inspired me because there are so many,
so many women that I have seen throughout my career
who have paved their own path and said, I know
(09:42):
this is the expectation for me, but I want to
go a different route.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
That's so awesome. Okay, So what is the best way
for people to get a hold of you or if
they want to get involved with Breeze Airways, how do
they reach out?
Speaker 3 (09:55):
So we have a contact number that's on our web
site Freeze Airways dot com Orflybreeze dot com and uh,
there's a text message line there and uh, or we
have a lot of our leadership team's email addresses are
published as well.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Okay, and then just a personal question, how often do
you fly somewhere and you fly back the same day?
Because I'm notorious for that, but you just kind of
pop wherever and come back, right.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
I usually do a couple days at a time, but
I'm I do. I'm in the air traveling three to
four days a week.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Okay, wow, that's a lot.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Yeah, And you know, if I could, actually, if I
could give a plug for any one person, given that
I'm at home or not at home three to four
days a week, it would be the men that support
the women that are they're doing those things. My husband
and I have three children, and he just takes care
of things and it's seamless and I don't have to worry.
(10:50):
So male supporters of women, maybe that's who I'd give
my plug to.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Honestly, we forget that. So it is Women's History Month,
then we salute the women, but also same for me,
like it's like, you know, you have the supportive men.
So we always love to hear when guys are always
pushing the ladies do those leadership roles to do their
dreams and fulfill their life purpose.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
And I think it's it's you know, women get burned
out when they get into corporate roles, particularly if you're
also going to have a family. You really shouldn't have
to choose. You should be able to do both. Off
we went to and to be the one who goes
out on maternity leave and then you know, has to
come back and tends to get a lot of the
(11:31):
childcare responsibilities. I am a super super big advocate for
paternity leave so fathers can stay home with babies.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
If we want to.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Be equal everywhere, we should be equal everywhere at home included.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
And before we go, what would be your advice on
somebody that's experienced send that burnout, because that does happen
for no matter the role you're in. That happens for
a lot of women and men, but specifically women.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
I think a lot of women feel along with that
imposter syndrome that you mentioned, and they feel like they
have to do more to prove themselves that they belong
where they are. And bottom line is, if you have
a seat at the table, you've.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Already earned it.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
You don't need to keep on going through every single
detail and killing yourself at work.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Just to show that you deserve what you have. So
take a step back. Remember that you know.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
I always in the airline industry they say put you
your own oxygen mask on before those of others, and
it's true in so many things.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
If you don't take.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
A break and say I have a great team that's
going to handle things and focus on yourself periodically, then
you just can't show up and be your best the
rest of the time.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So take a break.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Know that you are where you are because you deserve
to be.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Such good information for all the women out there. I
love that so much. Thank you for coming in today.
I know you just get off the fly and everybody
wants to tell talk to you, so we appreciate you
stuffing in today.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Thank you so much for having me
Erica DeLong for the Carolina Podcast Network where we talked
to leaders throughout the community near and far. And you
just flew in, Fiona Diesel, like Diesel, who is the
chief guest officer from Breeze Airways. You literally just flew in,
came to our studios, Hello and welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Thank you so much. It's great to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
And you're the chief guest officer. So how is your
role different from other leadership roles for Breeze Airways?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Chief guest officer for Breeze is similar to a chief
customer officer, but we don't call our customers customers.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
We call them.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Guests because they really are our guests on board our flights.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Okay, and so you've had twenty five years experience in
the industry, eighteen years in leadership. This is a tough role,
especially lately, and of course airlines are in the news
constantly these days. But Breeze is always dependable because I
have been flying with you guys multiple times, never had
an issue. My kids are happy. Actually, one of the
flight attendants was so kind made a viral video of
(00:58):
how generous they were to my family.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. We really do
pride ourselves on a few things. One is being nice.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Right. We hire our flight attendants.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
And all of our team members, we hire them for
their nice attitudes, and then we train to all of
the technical aspects of the role. That really creates a
differentiated experience for Breeze and on time performance. It's something
that is a challenge to every airline, but it's a
huge focus for us.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Being in a leadership role for several years now. What advice,
what tips do you have for someone that aspires to
be at the top of a big corporation or a
big company.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I would say the things that have really gotten me
through my career are not to focus on what maybe
I don't think I can do, not to create any
barriers for myself that may not really exist. Try everything
but your best shot, show up it's your best self
every day, and do all that you can in every role.
(02:00):
I would also say one of the things that has
really really worked well for me is to get comfortable
getting out of my comfort zone. So there's been a
lot of roles that I've taken as lateral roles within
the airline industry, and they were things that I never
envisioned myself doing things like leading a team in facility
(02:23):
and ground equipment maintenance or on the ramp. I never
pictured myself doing those things, and when the opportunity came
to me, I thought, well, why not, I'm going to
try it. And what's really worked well for me is
to try those things give it my best. I saw
time after time that I would succeed in those roles,
(02:46):
and not only did it give me the self confidence
I needed that I could do a lot of things
that I didn't think I could do, it gave others
that confidence in me too, that they could put me
in a role, no matter what it was, and I
would give it my best and succeed.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
And you say get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is
a term I've heard many times, and that's when you
know that you're growing. Have you ever dealt with imposter
syndrome when you do feel uncomfortable in some of these roles.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
I don't know a female in the airline industry that
doesn't catch themselves at least daily right a feeling imposter syndrome.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Yes, absolutely, very frequently.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I'm one of the only or one of just a
few women in a large room, particularly given that I
have a lot of operational responsibility. A large room of men,
or a large room of anybody who doesn't really look
the same as I do. Definitely the imposter syndrome. I
don't know how to keep it from coming. I don't
(03:48):
know that anybody does. But when it comes, I just
remind myself that I can do hard things and that
I can do things that I maybe didn't think I
could originally do.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
How would you say you've demanded that respect from your
male co workers, Because just like radio, this is a
very male dominant business. I've worked hard to earn that respect.
So in your role, how would you say you've earned
respect from those coworkers.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
By doing my best, by doing a good job with
everything I do. I don't think there's anything necessarily that
anyone can say or do to show that they deserve
something other than do the job and do it well
and become someone that people can count on.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Yeah, Breeze Airways is really big on giving back. You
guys are a part of our back to school supply drive,
our toy drive which is huge here in the Rally
Duram area. Of course, Women's History Month you're involved with that,
so we're so thankful. Why is it so important that
Breeze Airways gives back to the community.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Well, it's really what the airline is all about. We
started and we continue to be an airline that serves
underserved communities, and underserved can mean a lot of different things.
It can be a commune unity or an airport that
historically head service that doesn't anymore. It can be a
community like we work with Autism Double Checked to help
(05:10):
autistic kids get comfortable with flying on an airplane. There's
all kinds of communities and that is really what our
airline is about, is giving air service to those communities
and opening up the flying experience for a broader group
of people. And it really just feels good. All of
(05:32):
our team members just love doing what they do.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Is there something that's coming up that you are working
towards that you could share it's going to be happening
with Breeze Airways or any projects in place for the company.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Well, we've got a lot of exciting things. I think
we've got a couple of awards coming and I don't
know that those have been made public yet, but they're
very exciting.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
We are growing. We announced last week that we're going.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
To start service to Key West, Florida, which is really
very hat me very happy. So am I We started
recently a partnership with Make a Wish and I've joined
a couple of Make a Wish flights and it is
just incredibly rewarding to see that. But really we just
continue to grow.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Yeah, and you've extended service from the RDU airport to
other like I think it was Hartford, Connecticut, so Breeze
Airways continuously growing. What advice do you have for those
young minds listening right now that aspire to be in
a leadership role, or maybe they want to break into
the airline industry but they're not sure how to do it.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
I would say to just get your foot in the door.
Any level of role within the airline industry is super
exciting anywhere anywhere.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
It could be our headquarters office, it could be in
a station.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
There's really room for growth wherever you start out in
the airline industry. And that's really what I did.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
I started out in nineteen ninety nine.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I took an entry level clerical accounting type just because
I knew I wanted to be at an airline, but
I didn't really know yet what I wanted to do,
so I started there and just kept watching what was
happening in the airline, moving around between roles until I
found things that I really really loved. And you know,
(07:16):
it's just do anything in the airline industry. It's an
amazing business to be in and never a dull moment.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Do you get to fly everywhere for free? Because that's
the one thing people are like, wait, are you flying
everywhere for free?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Pretty much? I mean there are some limits, but.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Yes, okay, So the inside advice? Then, is there a
day that is the best time to buy a fly
or that doesn't matter?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
It's a hoax, it doesn't matter. I have heard rumors
that certain days of the week are better. There's a
thing called ticket Tuesdays that I'm not sure a lot
of people know about, where if you go to the
airport within a certain couple hour timeframe and buy a
ticket at the ticket counter, they waive the technology fees
that are usually on tickets.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Oh that's good to know, Yes, okay, good. I live
near the airport, so that's fantastic. Is there someone that
has inspired you that you want to give a shout
out to? How did they inspire you?
Speaker 3 (08:07):
I think if we're talking really about given that it's
women's history months, right, maybe I'll talk about from a
female perspective. I think, you know when I in fact,
when I was going way back with women's history, when
the year I was born, women like my mom still
(08:28):
couldn't get a credit card without having a male to
co sign for them. So it was I'm dating myself
a little bit.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Maybe no, but this is so while to think of
how that we've grown over the years.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
And back then it was just the expectation that girls
grew up and they were the caregiver of the household,
and you watched Disney. I watched Disney Princess movies and
it was the Prince would come in and save the princess.
You play with dolls, you play house and get it
(09:00):
toy kitchen, and you're just that's how you grow up
envisioning yourself as an adult. Same I think at the
time with boys, and it's really really hard to get
out of the mindset and to start to see yourself
in your future as something that you never in your
(09:21):
childhood thought you would be right, I think again, just
getting out of the comfort zone. I can't name a
single woman who inspired me because there are so many,
so many women that I have seen throughout my career
who have paved their own path and said, I know
(09:42):
this is the expectation for me, but I want to
go a different route.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
That's so awesome. Okay, So what is the best way
for people to get a hold of you or if
they want to get involved with Breeze Airways, how do
they reach out?
Speaker 3 (09:55):
So we have a contact number that's on our web
site Freeze Airways dot com Orflybreeze dot com and uh,
there's a text message line there and uh, or we
have a lot of our leadership team's email addresses are
published as well.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Okay, and then just a personal question, how often do
you fly somewhere and you fly back the same day?
Because I'm notorious for that, but you just kind of
pop wherever and come back, right.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
I usually do a couple days at a time, but
I'm I do. I'm in the air traveling three to
four days a week.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Okay, wow, that's a lot.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Yeah, And you know, if I could, actually, if I
could give a plug for any one person, given that
I'm at home or not at home three to four
days a week, it would be the men that support
the women that are they're doing those things. My husband
and I have three children, and he just takes care
of things and it's seamless and I don't have to worry.
(10:50):
So male supporters of women, maybe that's who I'd give
my plug to.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Honestly, we forget that. So it is Women's History Month,
then we salute the women, but also same for me,
like it's like, you know, you have the supportive men.
So we always love to hear when guys are always
pushing the ladies do those leadership roles to do their
dreams and fulfill their life purpose.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
And I think it's it's you know, women get burned
out when they get into corporate roles, particularly if you're
also going to have a family. You really shouldn't have
to choose. You should be able to do both. Off
we went to and to be the one who goes
out on maternity leave and then you know, has to
come back and tends to get a lot of the
(11:31):
childcare responsibilities. I am a super super big advocate for
paternity leave so fathers can stay home with babies.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
If we want to.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
Be equal everywhere, we should be equal everywhere at home included.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
And before we go, what would be your advice on
somebody that's experienced send that burnout, because that does happen
for no matter the role you're in. That happens for
a lot of women and men, but specifically women.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
I think a lot of women feel along with that
imposter syndrome that you mentioned, and they feel like they
have to do more to prove themselves that they belong
where they are. And bottom line is, if you have
a seat at the table, you've.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Already earned it.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
You don't need to keep on going through every single
detail and killing yourself at work.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Just to show that you deserve what you have. So
take a step back. Remember that you know.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
I always in the airline industry they say put you
your own oxygen mask on before those of others, and
it's true in so many things.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
If you don't take.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
A break and say I have a great team that's
going to handle things and focus on yourself periodically, then
you just can't show up and be your best the
rest of the time.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
So take a break.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Know that you are where you are because you deserve
to be.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Such good information for all the women out there. I
love that so much. Thank you for coming in today.
I know you just get off the fly and everybody
wants to tell talk to you, so we appreciate you
stuffing in today.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Thank you so much for having me
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com