Virgin Atlantic air stewardess, 36, takes job stacking shelves at Asda after being furloughed by struggling airline amid coronavirus pandemic (6 Pics)

A Virgin Atlantic air stewardess has swapped plane aisles for the supermarket variety after being furloughed by the airline.

Sara Haider is used to flying across the world with her job, but the humble 36-year-old is now stacking shelves at her local Asda due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Super-fit Sara - also a personal trainer - said she is having a 'blast' in her new role stacking chilled food in the store in Lancing, West Sussex. 

If she were to switch to working at Asda full time, she would be paid less than she was as a glamorous globe-trotting stewardess. A full time shop floor employee at Asda  earns around  £16,000 a year compared to the £18,000-a-year of Virgin stewardess. 

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Virgin Atlantic stewardess, Sara Haider, has started a job at Asda after being furloughed

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Sara normally flies all round the world but has been had to take a new role to make ends meet

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The 36-year-old says she didn't want to 'sit around doing nothing' after being furloughed

It comes after 8,000 Virgin workers were furloughed last month, which will see staff paid 80 per cent of their salaries for three months. 

Cabin crew member Sara, of Brighton said: 'As soon as I found out I'd been furloughed I didn't want to sit around and do nothing.

'I applied to join the team at Asda so I could make a difference in the community.' 

She added: 'Whether flying to the US, Caribbean, Far East or South Africa, I've always loved working with people and keeping active.

'So this role is perfect for me while we wait for life to return to normal.

'I'm very grateful to have landed a new job, and I'm delighted to be playing my part in feeding the nation.'

Steve Cracknell, general store manager of Asda Lancing, said: 'We're thrilled to welcome Sara to join the Asda team.

'She has been doing a first class job and has made a quick transition from airline trolleys to Asda trolleys.'

Sara - who took part in the UKBFF Bikini Masters last year - posted a snap of her in her new uniform on Instagram.

She said: 'GREEN OR RED??

'I know which I prefer... having a blast tho (sic) with the Asda crew!

'Thanks for having me temporarily.'

On March 23, she shared a photo of her last flight before the COVID-19 lockdown.

She said: 'The last B747 flight... hopefully will get to fly on the old bird again one day.

'Social distancing is pretty near impossible when you are in such confined space working with each other, hence it not applying here.

'Now to get our people back home... quick stop in Jamaica to pick up more Brits... then home to.

'Let's hope my awesome company comes through the other side after all this.'

She also said she was applying for lockdown jobs adding: 'YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU.

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Haider says she hopes to return to Virgin Atlantic if the airline survives the pandemic

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Virgin boss Richard Branson has been criticised for asking for £500m government bailout

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Branson says he'll do everything he can to save airline but 'will need government support' 

'If being on the front line means stacking shelves or driving delivery trucks... I'm in.

'Spent most of the morning applying for such jobs.

'If I can't carry on with my two careers for now I want to help my county where it's needed.'

Sara was praised for her temporary career change.

One pal - called Lisa - said: 'Good on you girl.'

Another added: 'How do you make a ASDA uniform look hot though.'

Anais Pontet said: 'Still look smoking hot in a fleece.. how do you do it!'

While Haider and her colleagues attempt to make ends meet, Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson has been criticised for asking for a £500m government bailout.

Branson, who owns 51% of the airline and has promised to pump £250m into the business, has made the request despite being worth a reported £4.2 billion. 

In a blog written to the company's staff on Tuesday, the 69-year-old said: 'We will do everything we can to keep the airline going - but we will need government support to achieve that'.  

In March, chancellor Rishi Sunak told airlines the government would only intervene 'as a last resort' and urged them to find alternative sources of funding.

Branson has hired the investment bank Houlihan Lokey to help him find additional private investment as revenues continue to plummet as a result of travel bans.  

A report in the Daily Telegraph on Sunday also claimed Branson is also looking for a buyer for the struggling airline.

Virgin Australia has already entered administration after failing to secure a loan from the Australian government and Branson fears the same could happen in the UK.  

In March, chancellor Rishi Sunak told airlines the government would only intervene 'as a last resort' and urged them to find alternative sources of funding.

Branson has hired the investment bank Houlihan Lokey to help him find additional private investment as revenues continue to plummet as a result of travel bans.  

A report in the Daily Telegraph on Sunday also claimed Branson is also looking for a buyer for the struggling airline.

Virgin Australia has already entered administration after failing to secure a loan from the Australian government and Branson fears the same could happen in the UK.  

What does it mean to be furloughed? 

If you're being furloughed by your employer, it means you're being sent home, but will still receive 80 per cent of your salary from the Government, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. 

However, you first need to agree to be put on furlough by your employer, who can then apply for the money to the Government. You cannot apply for it yourself.

Your employer can choose to pay the remaining 20 per cent of your wages, although it is not obliged to do so.

If you earn more than £2,500 a month, your employer can choose to 'top up' your salary, but again it is not forced to do so.

You will still continue to pay income tax and national insurance contributions while on furlough.

Benefits such as health insurance, private medical, gym membership etc should continue as normal unless otherwise agreed. 

This Government job retention scheme is only for employed people, it does not apply if you are self-employed. There is an alternative scheme in place for those working for themselves. 

It is possible to refuse to be furloughed, however, doing so may put you at risk of redundancy and/or termination of your employment.