Here is the information you need to get started:
When I first began to consider becoming a flight attendant, I was utterly clueless. I had zero family or friends in the aviation industry and genuinely believed that an inflight position with the airlines would be CAKE. I had plenty of experience in restaurants and retail while I was working through college, how hard could it be? After all, isn’t a flight attendant just a waitress at 35,000 feet?
WRONG.
Not only is a flight attendant responsible for ensuring the comfort of passengers but we are trained to handle an array of emergency situations. Whether it be experiencing extreme turbulence, a medical emergency, or even a hijacking, your flight attendant will be the first to take action. You must be a safety professional, while simultaneously remaining customer service oriented.
To put it simply, think of your flight attendants as your “first responders” of the skies, (whom you can also rely on providing you with those famous Biscoff cookies).
Still interested? Then allow me to tell you if you’re qualified.
- Most commercial airlines require you to be at least 21 years of age. Certain regional airlines allow you to be hired as young as 19, and American Airlines in recent years lowered their age requirement to 20 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma or GED. A college degree looks nice on a resume, but is not mandatory. I will tell you firsthand that I got job offers from regional and mainline carriers with NO degree.
- This isn’t the 1960s, so I can assure you that if you’re applying to a U.S. airline there will be no weight requirements. However, I cannot say the same for companies across the globe such as Emirates and Air India, in which a “healthy” body mass index is obligatory.
- As for height, you need to be tall enough to close an overhead bin on the aircraft. If you are between 4’11 and 6’3 you should be golden, yet will still need to pass a “reach test” to receive a job offer.
- Experience in the customer service industry is preferred, not required.
If you meet all of the above qualifications, you are likely wondering what is next. I recommend doing thorough research on many airlines, and seeing which company is the best fit for you. A list of airlines that are currently hiring can be found at futureflightattendant.com/flight-attendant-jobs.
Now let all this information digest, and then ask yourself this… Do you truly believe you have what it takes to become a flight attendant? Are you a wanderlust soul who has a desire to experience new cultures, travel the world, and have a passion for serving others? If your answer is yes, then this is the perfect job for you. Apply today, and let your dreams take flight!
