For most entry-level flight attendant jobs, you must be at least 18 and hold a high school diploma or GED, but for some jobs you may need to wait until you are 21 to apply. If you are hired as a new flight attendant, you will have to complete several weeks of training before you can begin work.
Many flight attendants point to their opportunity for travel as a unique benefit of their career. Competition for jobs in this field can be fierce. Airlines regularly receive tens of thousands of applications for the hundreds of flight attendant jobs they post. Applicants can set themselves apart by spending some time in college, gaining experience in customer service, and learning foreign languages. The past several years have been difficult for business in the commercial airline industry, and the number of flight attendants employed in the United States is expected to remain stagnant between now and Flight attendants who do gain a foothold in the field can advance with experience and additional training, earning them more choice in their assignments as well as management and training opportunities.
Airlines post open flight attendant positions on their websites and you can apply for these jobs online. Some airlines, like Delta, allow you to build an online profile so you can be matched with openings that fit your experience, location, interests, and skills. Some flight attendant training schools are affiliated with certain airlines, and those airlines may seek out students at these schools to interview for open positions.
You can learn more about the hiring processes, required qualifications, and training processes for flight attendants at the websites of airline carriers like Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and other regional carriers.
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Set cookie preferences. There is a problem. How to become Explore the different ways to get into this role. How to become cabin crew You can get into this job through: a college course an apprenticeship applying directly College You could do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Air Cabin Crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.
You could start by doing a cabin crew advanced apprenticeship. Career tips Some airlines and private providers run 2-day cabin crew courses, which may help your chances of getting a job. You'll need to: be over 18 years of age have a good level of fitness pass a medical check pass enhanced background checks You'll also be expected to: have a smart appearance have a valid passport with no restrictions for the countries the airline travels to live within 90 minutes of your base have good written and spoken English Many airlines also ask that you're able to swim up to 25 metres.
What you'll do Day-to-day tasks Before a flight you could: attend a staff meeting about the route and schedule check supplies on the plane and make sure emergency equipment is working properly greet passengers and check documents demonstrate emergency equipment and procedures During a flight, you might: make sure passengers are comfortable and respond to any requests serve food and drinks, and sell duty-free items make announcements reassure passengers in the event of an emergency, and make sure they follow safety procedures At the end of a flight you'll often: make sure passengers leave the plane safely write a flight report, including details about any unusual incidents add up and record food and drink orders, and duty-free sales.
You could work on an aircraft. Your working environment may be physically demanding and cramped. You may need to wear a uniform. During the three to six weeks you will spend there, expect to receive classroom instruction on flight regulations, job duties , and company operations. Airlines will typically arrange for lodging and transportation to the training center, but you may be responsible for meals.
Training may be paid or unpaid, depending on the airline. Along with the other new hires, you will learn how to handle emergencies, including procedures for evacuating an airplane and operating emergency equipment such as evacuation slides, oxygen masks, and flotation devices. As you near the end of your classroom instruction, you will take practice flights, and you will be evaluated on your skills.
After you finish the employer-sponsored training, the director of operations at the airline will apply for your Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the FAA. This is part of the process for flight attendants as defined by the Vision Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act, which went into effect in December However, this certificate is only issued to those flight attendants who meet the Act's definition:.
All regional and major airlines in the U. After applying for the certificate, the FAA will confirm your record. Then, you will be eligible to work on a flight. With your training complete and your certificate in hand, you may think you'll soon be jetting all over the world and earning a living at the same time.
Not so fast. While there will be some opportunities to work, you won't have a regular schedule yet, and it will be a while before you get to fly some of the more desirable routes. How long depends on the airline you're working for and which hub you're working out of, but it could be anywhere from a few months to a few years. New flight attendants typically spend at least one year on reserve status, though certain airlines or cities may require flight attendants to spend up to five years on reserve status, or "on call.
You're paid for the time that you're on reserve, and the airline typically assigns you specific days to be on call. You won't be on call every minute. The FAA requires flight attendants to be at least 18 years old. However, some airlines have higher minimum age requirements. More experienced candidates may have an upper hand when it comes to being hired as flight attendants due to the variety of skills required.
A high-school diploma or GED is the minimum education level required to become a flight attendant. However, some airlines may prefer candidates who have taken college courses or have an associate's or bachelor's degree. Classes in hospitality, communication, tourism, and public relations could be especially useful. SkyWest Airlines. American Airlines. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Federal Aviation Administration. Aviation Job Search.
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