Air Cabin Crew
What is the work like?
As a member of an air cabin crew, and often called a flight attendant, you would play an important part in making sure airline passengers have a comfortable, safe and pleasant flight.
Before a flight you would:
- attend a briefing about the flight and schedule
- check that there are enough supplies and that emergency equipment is working properly
- greet passengers and direct them to their seats
- demonstrate emergency equipment and procedures.
During a flight you would:
- make sure passengers are comfortable and deal with any requests
- serve food and drinks and sell duty-free goods
- make announcements for the pilot
- reassure passengers in the event of an emergency, and make sure that they follow safety procedures.
At the end of a flight you would:
- make sure passengers leave the plane safely with all hand luggage
- fill in a written flight report recording any unusual incidents
- add up and record food and drink orders and duty-free sales.
Between flights, you may have some spare time to relax and explore the destination, depending on your aircraft's turnaround time.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Airlines will normally look for a good standard of education, with many asking for four or five GCSEs (grades A to C), or the equivalent, including maths and English. The exact entry requirements can vary, so you should check with the airlines directly.
You will also need:
- a good level of fitness, normal colour vision and good eyesight
- the ability to swim at least 25 metres
- a smart appearance
- a valid passport which allows you to travel anywhere in the world.
You should not have any visible tattoos or body piercings.
As well as English, some airlines look for cabin crew who can speak a second language. Previous experience in customer service is also helpful, and nursing, or hotel and catering experience may be particularly useful.
You must be over 18 to work as a member of an air cabin crew (some airlines set the minimum entry age at 21). Height and weight requirements also vary between airlines, so you should check with them.
There are several nationally-recognised qualifications which could help you to develop the skills you need for this career, such as:
- Edexcel BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Preparation for Air Cabin Crew Service
- EMTA Awards Intermediate Level 2 Certificate in Air Cabin Crewing
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Airline Cabin Crew.
What further training and development can I do?
Airlines provide their own training programme for new entrants. This would usually last between four and six weeks, and cover:
- security, customs and immigration regulations
- safety and emergency procedures
- first aid
- customer relations and passenger care
- currency exchange
- food preparation and service and galley management
- personal grooming.
After basic training you would normally have to pass a probationary period of three to six months, during which performance is monitored by trainers or senior crew. You would have to pass regular examinations to test your knowledge of safety and emergency procedures, and to make sure you meet official first aid requirements.
You could also work towards the NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Aviation Operations in the Air (Cabin Crew) offered by EMTA Awards and City & Guilds.
Where can I go for more information?
Customer ServicesSEMTA House
14 Upton Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0JT
Tel: 0870 240 6889
One90 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7BH
Tel: 0870 240 9800
London
W1J 7BQ
Tel: 020 7670 4300
Trinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520
St James' Boulevard
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4JE
0191 239 8000
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- As a new recruit you will earn around £12,000 to £14,000 a year.
- With experience this could rise to between £15,000 and £21,000.
- Salaries for senior crew can be up to £25,000 a year.
Pay rates can be higher if overtime and flight allowances are included.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your job would have variable hours, including weekends, nights and public holidays. The amount of time you would spend away from home would differ from job to job, depending on your flight routes.
This job can be demanding, as a lot of time would be spent on your feet and working in confined spaces like the kitchen galley. Bad weather could make flying conditions uncomfortable at times.
You would be expected to dress smartly and your company would provide a uniform.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- tact and diplomacy
- a polite but firm approach when dealing with difficult customers
- a clear speaking voice
- an enjoyment of teamwork
- the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure and in emergencies
- a confident and friendly manner
- sensitivity towards people who are anxious or upset
- the ability to work quickly and efficiently
- good numeracy skills for handling cash, including foreign currency.
What opportunities are there?
There is a lot of competition for places with airlines. You will usually have to live near to the airport where you are based. You could also be based overseas, as part of international cabin crew with a British airline. You can find jobs online, in your local press and by contacting airlines directly. A comprehensive list of airlines can be found on the International Air Transport Association website under the membership section.
Once you have some experience, you could gain promotion to senior cabin crew. You may also be able to transfer to ground-based employment with an airline.
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