Ready for the adventurous life of a flight attendant? Picture yourself meeting customers worldwide and handling unpredictable situations thousands of feet above the ground.

If traversing time zones and traveling into different states, countries, and even continents during a typical workday sounds exciting to you, becoming a flight attendant may be a great career choice. Keep reading to learn what it takes and what it’s like to be a flight attendant, begining with the basic qualifications.

Basic Qualifications for a Career as a Flight Attendant

Let’s start by reviewing the basic qualifications needed to become one, plus some tips for what airlines look for in a candidate. 

1. Minimum Education Requirements

Most airlines will require at least a high school diploma or equivalent experience to be hired as a new flight attendant. However, completing a higher level of education could be the resume item that sets you apart. 

2. Physical & Health Standards

Maintaining great health is important for attendants, as the job can be more physically demanding than some may realize. Airlines typically want flight attendants to fit within a certain heigh-weight range so they can handle things like reaching the overhead bins while fitting comfortably in the aircraft. Besides wearing the airline uniform, you may have noticed as a passenger that attendants are typically required to meet certain physical appearance standards as part of their job. This can include keeping a groomed head and facial hair, wearing only modest jewelry, or having no visible tattoos. 

3. Age and Legal Qualifications

The general rule is that flight attendants must be at least 18 years of age. Besides that, the only legal requirement is to have authorization to work in the country the airline is based in, plus a passport if you’ll be working international flights. 

4. Nice-to-have Qualifications for Standing Out

The aviation industry is competitive, especially if you have a particular airline you’re hoping to work for. Here are some assets that might help set your application apart:

• Language: Proficiency in multiple languages is a huge asset, especially for international airlines. 
• Customer service experience: A large part of a flight attendant’s role is customer-facing, which requires patience and grace. Having previous hospitality or customer service experience can help demonstrate that you’ll know how to interact with passengers and handle difficult situations confidently. 
• Certifications: While you’ll go through the airline’s training program after being hired, you can also earn certifications beforehand to show your commitment. Organizations like the Inflight Institute offer courses that may help get you ahead of the game.

It’s important to be aware of the qualifications for becoming a flight attendant before starting your career path. Keep in mind that each airline will have unique preferences and specific requirements for flight attendants.

Applying to Become a Flight Attendant

You’ve learned the basic requirements for becoming a flight attendant… now it’s time to begin the application process! Let’s walk through it together. 

Airline Research

We mentioned above that every airline has its own set of criteria and preferences for flight attendants. Before applying, take some time to research different airlines. Specifics to look into while you research could be: 

• Company culture – Like any company, airlines have unique values, quirks, and workplace environments. 
• Route options – Do you want to fly domestically or internationally or both? Some airlines travel extensively to international destinations, and others only fly close to home. 
• Specific criteria – During your research, look for unique details  in the flight attendant policy of each airline. You never know what might be a personal dealbreaker. 

Resume & Cover Letter

Making a great first impression is key. When you apply to the airlines you’re interested in working for, it’s critical that you have a strong cover letter along with a well-crafted cover letter. Be sure to highlight your relevant experience and showcase the skills important for flight attendants, like customer service, problem-solving, communication, and more. Moreover, writing a tailored cover letter for each airline you apply to will level up your application. You can impress the airline by demonstrating why you want to be a flight attendant on their aircrafts, specifically. 

Applying & Interviewing for Flight Attendant Roles

These days, most job application can be found online, and the same goes for flight attendant positions. Most of the major airlines have online application portals that can be found on their websites. However, there are other ways to begin the application process. 

For example, some airlines work with professional recruitment agencies that specialize in hiring for aviation or flight attendant positions. Sometimes, airlines will also participate in job fairs, where you may meet recruiters or hiring managers face-to-face. 

Once you’ve submitted your applications to the positions you’re interested in, you’ll wait to hear back for an interview. If you get called back, you can likely expect an initial screening, group interviews, one-on-one interviews, and scenario simulations. 

The application and interview process for flight attendants is relatively standard across US airlines. Spend lots of time preparing and practicing for each one so you can stand out against the competition. 

Training & Certification

Let’s dive right into what happens after an airline selects you as a flight attendant. This exciting phase of your career as a flight attendant will equip you with all the skills and expertise needed to excel while you’re in flight. 

Flight Attendant Training: What to Expect

Most airlines offer comprehensive training programs for newly hired flight attendants, which are most often held at the airline’s training center.

While the exact duration and curriculum of the program will vary depending on the airline, flight attendants can expect at least a month of training that includes a range of subjects, such as: 

• Safety protocols: Airlines must emphasize the importance of safety training to ensure the well-being of passengers. 
• In-flight services: Newly hired flight attendants will learn the procedures for meal services and how to assist passengers with any onboard questions and amenities. 
• Customer service: Even if you have years of experience in customer service, there are specific skills you’ll need during a flight to develop to best address customer needs and ensure a positive experience. 
• Cultural awareness: Especially for international flights, attendants must be properly trained to respectfully engage with customers of diverse backgrounds. 

Flight Attendant Certification

Simply attending the training program won’t land you your first shift on an aircraft. First, you’ll have to pass a series of exams that test the knowledge and practical skills you gained during training. 

Below are a few tips for successfully completing the training and preparing for the exams. 

1. Study regularly: Don’t wait until the last minute to cram. Instead, review your notes periodically throughout the training. 
2. Buddy up: When you can, collaborate with other trainees in the program to practice your skills. 
3. Stay curious: Ask lots of questions – especially in areas of the training you find most challenging.

Bring your enthusiasm for becoming a flight attendant with you to training. Commitment and determination will allow you to become a confident and capable flight attendant. 

A Day in the Life as a Flight Attendant

Wondering what flight attendants really do during a shift (besides what you may have observed as a passenger or in the movies)? Here’s a sneak peek into what your average day might look like as a flight attendant:

Pre-Flight

• Briefing: Before the flight, attendants get together to discuss the flight details, safety protocols, and any special passenger needs. 
• Aircraft checks: Prior to boarding any passengers, flight attendants must ensure that all emergency equipment is in order and the plane is prepped for guests.

In-Flight

• Safety routines: The flight attendants are responsible for overseeing the procedures for take-off and landing. This can include securely guiding passengers on and off the aircraft, and every safety precaution in between. 
• Service routines: During the flight, attendants are responsible for maintaining the passengers’ comfort. You’ll handle meals, drink services, and any other needs passengers have. 

Post-Flight

• Debriefing: Once everyone’s off the plane, you’ll have a brief meeting to cover anything notable that happened during the flight. 
• Rest: Time to relax! Depending on the flight route, layovers can range from a few hours to a few days. This is a chance to rest, explore, and rejuvenate.

In addition to the typical schedule of a flight attendant, you should also be aware of the common challenges and benefits that come with the profession. For example, being constantly on the move throughout different time zones certainly causes jet lag. On the other hand, you’ll have the opportunity to travel the world.

While managing difficult passengers comes with the territory of being a flight attendant, interacting with new people every day can expand your personal connections and be incredibly rewarding. Another common challenge for flight attendants is the physical strain of the job. However, having a flexible schedule that allows for breaks of multiple days at a time is a huge plus and can balance some of the challenges. It’s always important to weigh pros and cons based on what matters most to you.

Conclusion & Additional Resources

Hopefully, after reading this, you’re even more excited or curious about the prospect of becoming a flight attendant. It’s a unique, exciting, and rewarding profession that has room for growth and advancement. 

If you have more questions about the career of a flight attendant, head to careervillage.org to get answers from real professionals.