Airline cabin crew: job

description
Airline cabin crew are responsible for the
comfort, safety and welfare of passengers
travelling on aircrafts during short-haul and
long-haul flights.
Working as a flight attendant for a major airline
provides plenty of contact with people as well as
opportunities to travel. Duties include:

 greeting passengers as they board and

exit the plane
 showing passengers to their seats and
providing special attention to certain
passengers, such as the elderly or disabled
 serving meals and refreshments
 checking the condition and provision of
emergency equipment and information
for passengers
 demonstrating emergency equipment and
safety procedures
 administering first aid
 dealing with emergencies
 selling duty-free commercial goods and
pursuing sales targets
 producing written flight reports after
completing a journey.

Many airlines require cabin staff to live within

close proximity of a particular airport and crew
members may have to go to work at short notice
if on call. Working hours may involve long shifts
and unsociable hours, and it may be necessary to
work during public holidays.

Qualifications and training required

A degree is not usually required to work as

airline cabin crew. However, a degree in travel,
tourism, hospitality management, leisure or
languages may be helpful.

Personal qualities, appearance and good health

and fitness are normally more important than
academic qualifications, although many airlines
do ask for at least five GCSEs (including English
and maths) at grade C or above.

With experience, you could progress to a senior

cabin crew or cabin management role, or
specialise in working with wealthy clients on
private aircraft. You may also be able to develop
your career by moving into a ground-based role
in an area such as marketing, sales, Human
Resources, passenger services or cabin crew
training.  

Employers often have physical requirements due

to space restrictions within the galley; these may
include minimum/maximum height
requirements and proportionate bodyweight.
Visible tattoos and piercings are strongly
discouraged, and staff are required to look
smart, often wearing a uniform.