How to Become a Flight Attendant?

Flight attendants play a crucial role in the airline industry, supporting passengers on both commercial and business flights. Their responsibilities extend from pre-flight preparations to ensuring passenger safety post-landing. Recognizing the breadth of a flight attendant’s role is key in assessing if this career aligns with your lifestyle. This article delves into the pathway to becoming a flight attendant.

Role of a Flight Attendant

become flight attendant — Photo by ***Svitlana Hulko*** | Shutterstock

Flight attendants are pivotal in ensuring passenger safety and comfort on flights, be it commercial or business. Pre-flight, they are briefed on weather conditions, flight duration, and passenger requirements. Serving as the primary contact for travelers, they respond to queries, address concerns, and maintain communication with the cockpit crew. Key duties of flight attendants include:

Assisting with passenger boarding

Guiding passengers to their seats and helping with luggage storage
Observing passengers for any unusual behavior
Supporting those with children or specific health needs

Instructing on safety protocols
Preparing the cabin for take-off and landing
Offering snacks, beverages, and other amenities during the flight

Managing passenger comfort during turbulence or delays
Aiding in emergencies
Helping passengers safely deplane after landing

Flight Attendant Salary

According to Indeed, The average hourly salary for flight attendants is $16.71, with a range from $7.25 to $41.05. Factors like seniority and experience significantly influence their income.

Qualifications for Becoming a Flight Attendant

To pursue a career as a flight attendant, a basic requirement is a high school diploma or a GED. While not obligatory, holding a bachelor’s degree can enhance your job prospects, especially in fields like marketing, hospitality, tourism, public relations, or communications.

Gaining Relevant Experience

Given the competitive nature of flight attendant positions, standout candidates often succeed in the selection process. Enhancing your resume with relevant experience is crucial. Airlines commonly seek candidates with at least two years in hospitality, customer service, or sales roles. This experience should demonstrate your ability to endure long hours standing, work extra hours, tackle problem-solving challenges, and deliver exceptional customer service.

Resume Preparation and Submission

Craft a resume that showcases your proficiency in customer service. Highlight any professional or volunteer experiences where you managed difficult clients or stood for extended periods. Include any instances of working overtime to show your physical readiness for a flight attendant’s duties.

Be aware that top airlines might open their resume submission windows for limited periods. Keep your resume updated and ready for submission to capitalize on any arising job openings.

The Interview Process

The interview stage is critical for aspiring flight attendants. It involves a drug test and a background check. Candidates must be tall enough to access overhead bins and have a balanced height-to-weight ratio. Vision must be correctable to at least 20/40, and overall excellent health is required.

Many employers use video interviews to screen potential flight attendants. These may or may not be live. So ensure a tidy and quiet background for your video interview. Place the camera at eye level for a steady, clear view. Dress conservatively to align with the professional standards of airlines, which often have policies against facial piercings, visible tattoos, and unconventional hair colors.

Finishing the Airline’s Training Program

Airline companies offer a comprehensive training program lasting three to six weeks for their flight attendants. The program usually involves eight hours of daily training. It equips you with essential skills such as understanding airport codes, making public address announcements, executing regular job responsibilities, and managing in-flight emergencies. As part of this training, you’ll participate in about four test flights under supervision. To qualify as a flight attendant, you must complete and pass this training program, with most airlines setting a minimum passing grade of 90%.

Common Questions about becoming a flight attendant

Timeframe to Become a Flight Attendant

The duration of flight attendant training typically ranges from three to six weeks. However, entering these training programs can take months or even years due to the competitive nature of the field and the rapid filling of available spots.

Requirements for Becoming a Flight Attendant

A minimum of a high school diploma is needed to become a flight attendant. Key attributes include politeness, effective problem-solving, attention to detail, endurance, professionalism, and exceptional customer service skills.

Work Schedule of a Flight Attendant

Flight attendants, particularly newcomers, often have irregular work schedules. These schedules, called lines, change monthly. Flight attendants bid for lines each month, with assignments based on seniority. New attendants typically start on reserve status, meaning they are on call and may have only a few hours’ notice before a flight. Reserve flight attendants generally have about 10 days off per month, while regular line holders can have over 20 days off. Trip lengths can vary, ranging from quick round trips to several days. The average layover lasts about 12 hours, with accommodations provided.

Benefits for Flight Attendants

Flight attendants receive significant travel benefits. Many airlines offer complimentary standby flights for employees and their immediate family or relatives. If not free, fares are usually heavily discounted. Additionally, discounts are often available for hotels, car rentals, and cruises.

Source: Indeed.com
Featured image by M101Studio | Shutterstock

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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