Becoming a Flight Attendant – Where to Start

September 27, 2023

Have you dreamed of becoming a flight attendant since you were old enough to spot a plane in the sky? Maybe you love to travel and want to see the world without paying a penny for plane tickets or hotels. Do you want to meet and talk to people from many exotic places? If you answered yes, you are probably one of us who has heard the call of adventure,

This article will help you understand what it takes to become a cabin crew and how to start the recruitment process.

Whether this is the first time you have considered applying for this job or have been trying but failing to get into the glamorous airline world, you are in the right place! Here at Flight Attendant Central, you will learn the step-by-step process of how to start becoming a flight attendant.

The airlines' selection process for recruiting new crew is simple in theory but very competitive.
Typically, out of 1000 applications, only 100 are called for an interview. Only ten people are offered the job after they go through a series of assessments to establish they have the required skills and match the profile of an ideal candidate.

You will be one of those ten people if you know what to expect and what is expected from you.

I talked to many people who have tried their luck without researching what the airlines were looking for. Most of these people failed. I also listened to those who went there to try it and got sent home after they dropped off their documents. They were surprised.

Knowing beforehand what to expect, preparing for success, and showing the best version of yourself on the day of the interview will make you one of the selected candidates!

Let us start with the specific steps for turning your dream into reality.

There are some prerequisites for doing this job, and to qualify for an interview, you must meet every single one. If you have other concerns about what might be relevant, read through the 11 common worries and questions.

Age

You must be at least 21 years old to work as a cabin crew. This is the legal age in many states to serve alcohol and be independent of your parents or guardians. You will be required to handle the onboard consumption bars and make decisions regarding your bank account, insurance policy, and other paperwork.

If you are younger, you will need to wait for your 21st birthday to submit your application online. Use this time wisely and prepare as much as possible for the complex assessment process.

Arm-reach

When working as a cabin crew, you will need to close the overhead compartments in the larger planes and be able to access the emergency equipment that is sometimes located there.

All three airlines, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, require their candidates to reach 212 cm (6'11.4").

Take a measuring tape and put a mark on the wall next to the required height. Without shoes (you may get on your tip toes if necessary), you will need to touch the mark comfortably. No jumping to reach it is permitted.

Height

Some airlines require a minimum height.

For Emirates and Etihad, you must be at least 160 cm ( 5'2") tall to be considered for the job.

High school certificate

This minimum educational requirement is in place to ensure the candidates have some general knowledge and ability to learn to pass the safety and emergency training that needs to be completed once an offer of employment is made. The training is intense.

If you don't yet have your diploma, study hard and pass those final exams. If you dropped out of school, contact your last high school and ask for the necessary classes to attend to obtain your certificate. Minimum education is essential for this job or any other one.

No visible tattoos

No tattoo should be visible while wearing the uniform. Putting a bandage or concealer on it is not acceptable.

You must have no tattoos on your hands and arms, as well as your legs and your neck area. The female uniform is usually a short-sleeved blouse and a skirt, while the male cabin crew wears long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

If you have a tattoo and are considering laser removal, don't participate in an interview while it is still visible. You will be automatically disqualified regardless of your potential. Be patient and work on skills you can polish until you accomplish the final tattoo removal procedure.

Qatar Airways has a strict no-tattoo policy regardless of where it is located on your body.

Medically fit

This job is associated with glamour, and for many people, being a flight attendant means looking fabulous all the time and offering tea or coffee on the plane. And that is what people can see from the outside. The reality of the person who is actually doing this job is more complex. You will need to work long hours (day or night), with different cabin pressures, and sometimes lifting bulky items – while continuing to look exquisite.

Also, being in contact with so many people, you must be clear of transmittable diseases such as TBC, Hepatitis, or HIV.

You will pass this stage if you keep a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and attend medical check-ups. You must provide medical clearance after your successful interview. Once you join the airline, you must pass the aviation-specific medical test at the airline clinic.

Fluent in English

English is the most extensively used official language of aviation for all emergency-related commands and training. It is also the language to communicate with colleagues and passengers.

If English is not your first language, you must ensure that you can read, understand, speak, and write correctly in English. You can test yourself online if you want to check your level.

Here are ten tips to prepare for the Cabin Crew English Test.

If you fulfill these requirements, you can take these steps:

1. Browse the airlines that hire cabin crew

Here at Flight Attendant Central, we focus on the recruitment process for these three airlines:

Emirates Airlines Recruitment Events

Etihad Airways Recruitment Events

Qatar Airways Recruitment Events

For any other airlines, go directly to their official careers website.

2. Apply online or go to the open day

If open days are organized in your country, prepare your documents and research the interview steps.

If the events are invitation-only assessments, you must apply online first. You will receive an invitation with the details if your profile is shortlisted.

Apply online for Emirates Airlines

Apply online for Etihad Airways

Apply online for Qatar Airways