You could do a college course like an introduction to cabin crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Airline cabin crew members, often referred to as flight attendants, are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during flights. Their duties include conducting safety demonstrations, serving food and drinks, assisting with passenger needs, and responding to emergencies. Cabin crew also perform pre-flight checks and ensure all safety equipment is in working order. The role requires excellent communication skills, a calm manner in stressful situations, and the ability to work well as part of a team. The job can be demanding due to irregular hours and the need to be away from home, but it can also be rewarding for those who enjoy travel and meeting new people.
The average starting salary for airline cabin crew in the UK ranges from £15,000 to £21,000 per year. With experience, this can rise to between £25,000 and £30,000 annually.
There are approximately 20,000 to 25,000 airline cabin crew members employed in the UK.
Cabin crew often work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and public holidays. Shifts can be up to 12 hours long, depending on flight routes.
Specialises in providing a premium service to first class passengers, ensuring their journey is comfortable and tailored to their needs.
Responsible for training new and existing airline cabin crew members in safety procedures, customer service, and emergency protocols.
Acts as the lead member of the cabin crew team, managing the crew and ensuring the highest standards of safety and service on board.
Obtain GCSEs, especially in English and Maths, as most airlines require at least these qualifications.
You will generally need a minimum of GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), particularly in English and Maths. Some airlines may consider equivalent qualifications or relevant customer service experience. Good communication skills are essential for this role.
Fulfil medical, height, and age requirements set by airlines. You must also have the right to work in the UK.
Most airlines require cabin crew to be at least 18 years old, though some require you to be 21. There are usually minimum and maximum height requirements to ensure you can reach safety equipment. You must be able to swim, have good health, and often need to pass a medical examination. Having the right to work in the UK is essential.
Work in hospitality or customer-facing roles to build experience and demonstrate your ability to help and interact with people.
Consider part-time or full-time work in retail, hotels, restaurants, or call centres. These jobs help you develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills—all highly valued by airlines.
Improve language skills to make yourself more attractive to international airlines.
While not always required, having an additional language is a significant advantage, especially for airlines with international routes. Consider taking language courses or using language learning apps to improve your proficiency.
Submit applications to airlines, highlighting your qualifications, customer service experience, and passion for travel.
Airlines advertise vacancies on their websites and job boards. You will typically need to submit a CV and cover letter. Some airlines also require you to attend recruitment days, where you will participate in group activities and interviews.
Pass the airline-provided training course, which covers safety, first aid, and customer service.
If successful in the application process, you will be invited to attend a training course. Training usually lasts several weeks and includes practical and theoretical assessments. You must pass exams in safety procedures, first aid, and service skills before you can fly as a qualified cabin crew member.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Airline Cabin Crew. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
Both roles involve ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during flights or trips, requiring excellent customer service skills, knowledge of safety procedures, and the ability to handle diverse situations. They also share a focus on teamwork and communication within a highly regulated environment.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course like an introduction to cabin crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Cabin Crew Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This will take around 12 months to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
You'll usually need:
You could apply directly to airlines for a cabin crew job. Airlines set their own entry requirements, which can vary.
You'll be expected to have a good standard of spoken and written English. You'll also need to show that you have great customer service skills, so experience of working directly with the public is useful.
Some airlines and private training providers run short cabin crew preparation courses, which may help your chances of getting a job, though these are not essential.
Certain airlines have online career quizzes you can do to test whether working as air cabin crew is for you, before you apply.
Being able to speak a second language may give you an advantage for some jobs.
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