Flight attendant

Flight attendants are responsible for the safety, care and comfort of airline passengers. As well as looking after passengers during a flight, they carry out pre- and post-flight checks on the aircraft.

Also known as:

Air cabin crew
Cabin crew

Work activities

Flight attendants look after airline passengers during flights and are trained to deal with emergency situations. Primarily, they are responsible for passenger safety. Attendants arrive at the airport at least one hour before take-off to be allocated duties by the senior attendant. They are informed about passengers, such as unaccompanied children, who may need special attention. Before passengers board, all the flight attendants (known as the air cabin crew) check emergency equipment and ensure that the aircraft is clean and tidy. They then greet passengers on board, direct them to their seats, and help them store their hand luggage.

Before take-off, attendants check that all passengers are wearing seat belts. Some of the attendants demonstrate the use of oxygen equipment, explain emergency procedures, and point out emergency exits (some airlines have replaced this duty and show a video recording instead.) During the flight, attendants may serve hot meals, snacks and drinks. They might sell duty-free goods such as alcohol, cigarettes and perfume. They continuously check that passengers are following regulations such as not smoking or using mobile phones. Once landed, and after all the passengers have safely left the plane, the attendants tidy the galley and check takings on duty-free goods and, food and drink. Finally, they write a flight report, recording any unusual circumstances or problems. They may also have customs and immigration documents to fill in.

Long haul flights require periods away from home, possibly up to three weeks at a time. Domestic and short haul flights to Europe often involve a rapid turnaround. Some airlines insist that staff live within a certain travelling time of the airport to reduce the chance of them arriving late. Working hours can be long and may be altered at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, such as poor weather conditions. Flight attendants have to wear a uniform and follow strict appearance regulations, such as pinning hair up if it is a certain length.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

To have excellent people skills. This means being understanding, friendly and polite to everyone.
To be able to keep calm under pressure.
Teamworking skills.
The ability to work quickly and well in hot, confined conditions.
A good level of personal hygiene, as you’ll be working with food and drink.
To be physically fit and able to swim.
An interest in aviation.

Being able to speak a foreign language can be useful, as can knowledge of first-aid. Some airlines insist that recruits have good eyesight. You should have normal colour vision and your hearing should allow you to communicate effectively in a noisy environment. You will also have to pass a criminal records check. This is now known as a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Most airlines specify a minimum and maximum height and weight for cabin staff. Some employers will expect you to live near the airport. This usually means being within one-hour’s travel.

Many airlines also ask that you're able to swim up to 25 metres. You will need to have a valid passport with no restrictions for the countries the airline travels to.

The following future skills shortages have been identified:

Customer service skills.
Communication skills.
IT skills.
Safety/accident management skills.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Flight attendants earn around £15,000, rising to £30,000 with experience. Typical hours worked are 30-40 per week.

Flight attendants usually work shifts, including weekends, on a rota basis. They need to be available to work at short notice and on any day of the year.

Demand is steady. However, there is very strong competition for jobs and there are always more applicants than vacancies. Airlines receive a very large number of enquiries about work. Contracts are normally offered on a six-month, one year or permanent basis.

Employers include domestic and international airline companies. Flight attendants work from airports throughout the UK. Opportunities for UK trained flight attendants also occur with foreign airlines.

What’s happening in this work area?

The aviation industry throughout the UK is currently facing a major overhaul, with a range of new policies aimed at developing a more sustainable approach to air travel coming into effect. There is increasing pressure to reduce the CO2 emissions generated by transport and the industry will require suitably qualified and skilled professionals.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies are also advertised on airline websites.

Entry routes and training

Entrants to this career are usually educated to at least GCSE, or equivalent, level. Useful subjects include:

Hospitality.
Leisure and tourism.
Modern foreign languages.

Some knowledge of first aid would be very useful.

You could enter this career through a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship as a cabin crew member. This is an on-the-job training programme, you will also get the chance to work towards relevant qualifications to support your work

Entrants with experience of customer contact work, such as reception, sales and catering, will be at an advantage. City & Guilds offer certificates, awards and diplomas in air cabin crew for new entrants. These cover health and safety, teamwork, customer care and emergency equipment. However, airlines will also provide this training to all new recruits. There are also various BTECs with relevant units for people wishing to become flight attendants. subject titles include preparation for air cabin services, and airline and airport operations.

Flight attendants initially receive airport-based training which can last up to 8 weeks. They may have to do some study at home before starting the course. The training usually covers subjects such as: safety and survival, especially the use of emergency slides and chutes and of oxygen equipment. First aid techniques, such as handling heart attacks. How to serve food and use the galley. Customs and immigration regulations. Currency exchange. Customer service and conflict management. This initial period is followed by further on-the-job training, and usually a period of regular on-board assessment.

Experienced attendants can go into senior cabin crew positions. Some attendants become cabin crew trainers. It may also be possible to become a cabin service director where you would have a managerial role over the cabin crew.

Qualifications

Entry requirements vary between airlines. However, most airlines usually ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9-4, including English and maths, and a high standard of written and spoken English. Experience of working with the public is usually required.

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme. Usually, the age limit on apprenticeships is 16 years; however, in this role you’ll need to be at least 18.

Adult opportunities

You will need to be over 18 to enter this career.

Applicants usually have at least one year’s experience in an activity that involves dealing with the public, for example, travel agency, airport or catering work. Other relevant experience can include customer service, care work or retail sales. The ability to converse in a foreign language relevant to a particular airline may be required. The ability to swim is usually necessary.

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Airport information assistant
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Customer services manager
Flight dispatcher
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Sales assistant
Train manager
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