Airline cabin crew members are responsible for ensuring the safety, comfort, and welfare of passengers on board aircraft. Their duties include welcoming passengers, demonstrating safety procedures, serving food and refreshments, and managing emergency situations. Cabin crew must be able to work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays, and be prepared to travel frequently. They need excellent communication skills, a calm and friendly manner, and the ability to deal with challenging situations. Training is provided by airlines, and a background in customer service is often helpful. This career offers the opportunity to visit different countries and cultures, making it appealing for those who enjoy travel and working with people.
Entry-level airline cabin crew in the UK usually earn between £15,000 and £20,000 per year, with experienced crew earning up to £30,000 or more including allowances.
There are approximately 20,000 airline cabin crew employed across the UK, according to recent data from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The demand for airline cabin crew is expected to grow modestly over the next decade, particularly with the recovery of international travel.
Work specifically in the first class section of an aircraft, providing a premium level of service to high-paying passengers.
Train new and existing airline staff in safety procedures, customer service, and emergency protocols.
Act as the lead member of the cabin crew, managing the team and ensuring passenger safety and comfort throughout the flight.
Most airlines require candidates to have at least GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 in English and Maths.
Having good communication and numeracy skills is vital for cabin crew roles. Some airlines may also require additional languages, so studying a language at GCSE or A Level can be advantageous. You do not usually need a degree for this career.
Experience in a customer-facing role, such as hospitality or retail, is highly valued by airlines.
Working part-time in a café, restaurant, or shop can help you develop essential customer service skills, including handling difficult situations and working as part of a team. Evidence of this experience will strengthen your application.
Each airline has its own requirements, such as minimum height and swimming ability.
Check the recruitment pages of airlines you are interested in for specific criteria. For example, some airlines require you to pass a medical assessment, have a valid passport, or be able to swim a certain distance unaided.
Submit applications to airlines, usually through their online recruitment portals.
Prepare a strong CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Be ready to answer questions about teamwork, customer service, and handling emergencies. Some airlines hold assessment days with group exercises and interviews.
Participate in group exercises, interviews, and role-play scenarios as part of the selection process.
Assessment days are designed to test your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Practice speaking clearly, working with others, and thinking on your feet. Dress smartly and be punctual.
If successful, you will be invited to complete the airline's training programme.
Training typically lasts several weeks and covers safety and emergency procedures, customer service, first aid, and airline policies. You must pass a series of tests to qualify as cabin crew.
Start working as a junior cabin crew member under supervision.
During your probation period, you will be closely monitored to ensure you are following procedures and delivering excellent customer service. Use this time to learn from experienced colleagues and ask questions.
Gain experience on different routes and aircraft, and work towards more senior roles.
With experience, you may have opportunities to become a senior cabin crew member or purser, or to move into training or recruitment roles within the airline. Continuous professional development is encouraged.
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.
An airline customer service agent works closely with airline cabin crew as part of the passenger experience team, handling check-ins, boarding, and passenger inquiries. Both roles require strong communication skills, customer service expertise, and a good understanding of airline operations and safety protocols.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:
You'll usually need:
You can get into this job through:
You'll usually need:
When applying directly for jobs, most employers will expect you to have some GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in subjects like English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.
You may find it useful to have experience of working in a customer service role.
You can find out more information on working in the aviation industry from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK.
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