Do you dream of working at least 10,000 meters above sea level? Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career? If so, becoming a flight attendant may be the perfect fit for you. In this article, we will discuss the requirements to be a flight attendant, including educational qualifications, physical requirements, and personality traits. We will also provide tips on how to increase your chances of getting hired.
So if you’re ready to take your career to new heights, read on!
Why Are Flight Attendant Requirements Important?
- Flight attendants are the airline’s face and some of the only forward-facing employees that customers will ever see.
- Airlines want the best flight attendants to represent their brand.
- Being a flight attendant is a demanding job, and airlines prefer flight attendants who can carry out their responsibilities with ease.
Fundamental Factors Of The Flight Attendant Job Description
- Flight Attendants are in charge of passengers’ safety and comfort both on the ground and in the air. Flight attendants are safety professionals whose primary responsibility is to keep passengers, crew, and aircraft safe and secure.
- Flight attendants prepare, sell, and serve food and beverages onboard aircraft.
- Flight attendants answer questions and deal with a wide range of personalities.
- Flight attendants demonstrate emergency safety equipment and how to use it.
- Flight attendants deal with both emergency and non-emergency situations.
Weight Requirements for Flight Attendants
There will be many flight attendants who are in excellent shape. Although it is a physically demanding job, not all flight attendants must be slim and trim.
However, you must be able to fit into the flight attendant jumpseat.
Flight attendants have no minimum weight requirements because body types vary even among people of the same height and weight.
The jumpseat harness has an over-the-shoulder design as well as a lap belt. As a result, it could be a four-point harness or just adjustable shoulder straps and a lap belt.
What else can a weight requirement be used to measure? You must fit into the airline’s largest uniform. Sizes vary, but women’s flight attendant uniforms can range from size 20 to size 32.
Meanwhile, the sizes of airline uniforms also vary.
Age Requirements for Flight Attendants
Some airlines require a minimum age of 18 to be a flight attendant, but most require 20-21.
Age is just a number for a flight attendant. You can be too young or too old to be a flight attendant if you are in good shape, can work long hours, and can do some heavy lifting.
When Is It Too Late to Become a Flight Attendant?
You will never be too old to be a flight attendant if you are in good physical condition.
Flight attendants in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s are hired by airlines.
Many flight attendants begin as a second career after retiring. However, there are flight attendants of all ages, so don’t let your age prevent you from becoming a flight attendant.
Airlines That Hire at the Age of 18
Some airlines hire flight attendants as young as 18, which is an excellent starting point for aspiring flight attendants fresh out of high school.
- Mesa Airlines
- Breeze Airways
- Envoy Air
If any of those airlines are hiring, the Future Flight Attendant Job Board will list it.
Height Requirements for Flight Attendants
Each airline has its own height requirements. Some flight attendants, for example, are under five feet tall, while others are over six feet tall.
As a flight attendant, you must be able to fit comfortably in the aircraft on which you will be working and reach the overhead bins.
Some airlines have a minimum height requirement of 4’11”, while most have no maximum height requirements.
Educational Requirements for Flight Attendants
To begin your career as a flight attendant, you must first obtain a high school diploma.
A GED will suffice, and not all airlines require flight attendants to have a college diploma. While a college degree is preferred, not all flight attendants have one.
Vision Requirements for Flight Attendants
Some airlines require flight attendants to have 20/20 corrected vision.
However, this does not preclude you from becoming a flight attendant if you do not have perfect vision.
When you get your vision tested, you should have 20/20 vision naturally, with glasses or contacts.
Flight attendants can be tested for vision during the hiring process, whether it is during initial training or before. If they do not have 20/20 vision and do not wear contacts or glasses that correct their vision to 20/20, they will fail.
What is the story’s moral? Before becoming a flight attendant, check your vision and make sure you have the proper prescription.
Some airlines do not require 20/20 corrected vision, so when requesting clarification, read the airline requirements carefully.
Flight Attendant Appearance Standards
Flight attendants must maintain a professional appearance at all times.
Most airlines do not allow unnatural hair colors (for example, blue, pink, or purple, rather than blonde or brunette).
Flight attendants wear uniforms in order to appear uniform.
From the color of flight attendant shoes to acceptable hairstyles and makeup, each airline has specific requirements.
A good rule of thumb is to go conservative with your hair, makeup, shoes, and accessories.
The airline brand is represented by a flight attendant, and the only other acceptable brand is flight attendant luggage, which is typically black.
Flight Attendant Requirements for United Airlines
So, here are the United Airlines Flight Attendant Requirements:
- Must be 21 years old or older at the time of application.
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required, with two or more years of college preferred.
- Prior experience in customer service, hospitality, food service, aviation, safety-related positions, social service, healthcare/medical, or the military is preferred.
- Have and keep a valid U.S. or foreign passport, as well as any necessary visas, and be able to work and travel freely within the United States and all countries they serve.
- The ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is required; second languages such as Hebrew, Hindi, Dutch, and German are advantageous for language-speaking flight attendant positions.
- Physical agility and strength are required to assist customers, including the ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., lift luggage to the overhead bin; lift window exit) and push and pull heavy equipment (e.g., should be able to push/pull beverage cart weighing up to 250 pounds).
- The ability to serve meals, snacks, and beverages, as well as sell food and liquor in a caring and professional manner.
- Effective communication has been shown to be critical in maintaining order in high-stress situations such as aircraft evacuation, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather, and turbulence.
- Pass vision, hearing, and middle ear function tests, as well as a ten-year work history review, criminal background check, physical exam, and drug screen.
Flight Attendant Requirements for Delta
So, let’s take a look at Delta Airlines’ minimum flight attendant requirements:
- Eligibility to work in the United States.
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
- The ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime when necessary.
- Fluency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English.
- The ability to obtain and maintain a current passport and travel documents in order to freely enter and exit places where Delta flies.
- Pass a pre-employment DOT drug test and comprehensive background check, including a government-required fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
- The ability to work in a physically demanding role that necessitates frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting (for example, pushing/pulling beverage or food carts and lifting and opening emergency aircraft doors).
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- The ability to sit in an assigned jump seat while wearing a seatbelt and shoulder harness.
- Ability to open emergency exits, close aircraft doors weighing up to 60 pounds, and push or pull a food/beverage cart weighing 32 pounds.
- The ability to retrieve and store items from overhead bins that can be as high as 74 inches off the ground.
- Willingness to accept an assignment to any Flight Attendant base following graduation from training, as determined by the needs of the operation.
- You must be willing to relocate to or commute to your assigned base location (i.e., standby travel).
- Must be willing to change and adapt to meet the demands of the job, including dealing with last-minute scheduling changes.
- The ability to fly both international and domestic routes is required.
- If not currently employed by Delta Air Lines, Inc., must have received or be willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine by the date of hire to be considered for a U.S.-based job.
American Airlines Flight Attendant Requirements
American Airlines Flight Attendant Requirements include a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- A bachelor’s degree or two years of customer service experience is preferred.
- The ability to make announcements, issue emergency orders, and communicate in English is required.
- You must be at least 20 years old.
- A valid U.S. or foreign passport with applicable VISAs is required.
Read Also: AIRLINE PILOT REQUIREMENTS: Complete Guide on How to Become One
- Must have the legal right to travel freely to and from any state or country served by American Airlines.
- Travel documents must be valid during all stages of training and employment. Must be legally permitted to work in the United States.
- Able to attend up to 6 1/2 weeks of unpaid training in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and, if hired, relocate to the city assigned as a base immediately.
- Capable of being on call and reporting for duty in your assigned base (reserve duty). Reserve duty may be extended for an undetermined number of years.
- All candidates must be willing to work from any American Airlines base.
Vaccination Requirements for Flight Attendants
Some airlines have requested that flight attendants obtain vaccinations before traveling to specific locations.
Since the pandemic, however, all airlines have required their flight attendants to be fully immunized against COVID-19.
Some airlines will grant religious or medical exemptions to new flight attendants, but this is uncommon.
What is the average time it takes to become a flight attendant?
Flight attendant training typically lasts three to six weeks. However, admission to one of these programs may take months or even years. This is a very competitive field, and open positions usually go quickly.
What qualifications are required to work as a flight attendant?
A high school diploma is all that is required to become a flight attendant. A courteous attitude, an efficient approach to problem-solving, attention to detail, stamina, professionalism, and exceptional customer service are the most important qualities for a flight attendant.
What is the work schedule of a flight attendant?
Flight attendants’ schedules are frequently erratic, especially when they are new to the job. Lines are the names given to schedules. Every month, flight attendants compete for a new line, which is awarded based on seniority.
New flight attendants are frequently on reserve, which means they are on call for any flights that require additional crew members and may only have hours to get to the airport and board their plane.
Flight attendants on reserve typically get 10 days off per month, whereas line holders can get 20 or more days off. Each trip ranges in length from a quick round trip where you return immediately to a two-, three-, or four-day trip where you’re out of town for an extended period of time. The typical layover is 12 hours. During layovers, hotels are provided.
What benefits do flight attendants receive?
Flight attendants receive excellent travel benefits. Some airlines provide free standby flights to their employees and their spouses, children, or other relatives. Those who cannot fly for free usually get heavily discounted airfare. Discounts on hotels, rental cars, and cruises are also frequently available.
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