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 are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during flights. Their key duties include demonstrating safety procedures, serving meals and refreshments, assisting passengers with special needs, and dealing with emergencies. Cabin crew must be able to remain calm under pressure, provide excellent customer service, and work well as part of a team. The role offers opportunities to travel and meet people from different backgrounds but can also involve long hours away from home and the need to handle challenging situations.
Entry-level airline cabin crew in the UK typically earn between £15,000 and £20,000 per year, with experienced crew members able to earn up to £30,000 or more including allowances.
There are around 20,000 cabin crew employed across UK airlines, with recruitment varying depending on travel demand and airline expansion.
Cabin crew often work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and public holidays, with shifts ranging from short domestic flights to long-haul international journeys.
Specialises in providing premium service to business class passengers, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the flight.
Delivers training sessions for new and existing cabin crew members, focusing on safety procedures, customer service, and emergency protocols.
Works on private or chartered flights, offering a personalised service to high profile or VIP passengers.
Most airlines require GCSEs at grades 4 to 9, especially in English and maths.
Having five GCSEs, including English and maths, is commonly required. Some airlines may ask for additional qualifications such as foreign language skills, which can be a strong advantage. Check the specific airline’s website for exact entry requirements.
Cabin crew applicants must meet minimum age and health standards.
You usually need to be at least 18 years old, though some airlines require applicants to be 21. You must pass a medical assessment, including vision and hearing tests, and meet a minimum height requirement to reach safety equipment. Good general health and the ability to swim are also usually necessary.
Experience in customer-facing roles is highly valued by airlines.
Working in hospitality, retail, or other customer service roles helps develop communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Volunteering or part-time work in these sectors can strengthen your application. Airlines look for candidates who are friendly, calm under pressure, and able to handle difficult situations.
Speaking additional languages can make you a more attractive candidate.
Many airlines operate internationally and value crew members who can communicate with passengers from different backgrounds. Consider taking language courses at school, college, or through evening classes to improve your employability.
Search for cabin crew vacancies and submit your application online.
Prepare a CV highlighting your customer service experience, language skills, and teamwork. Tailor your application to each airline, demonstrating your understanding of their brand and values. Be ready for online assessments and interviews, which may include group exercises.
Successful applicants will undergo specific airline training programmes.
Training covers safety procedures, first aid, customer service, and emergency drills. Courses usually last between four and eight weeks and must be passed to begin working on flights. You will be assessed on your ability to handle real-life scenarios and demonstrate professionalism at all times.
Responsible for assisting passengers on the ground, handling check-in, baggage, boarding, and customer queries before and after flights.
Pilots operate aircraft, ensuring safe takeoff, flight, and landing, and work closely with cabin crew to maintain passenger safety.
Travel agents help clients plan and book flights, holidays, and business trips, often working alongside airlines and hospitality providers.
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 providing customer service and ensuring passenger safety and comfort onboard aircraft or vessels. They require good communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to handle in-flight or onboard emergencies effectively.
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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