Flight attendant requirements are the first thing you need to know before applying for flight attendant jobs at any airlines. If you possess the following requirements, you can apply for flight attendant jobs without any doubt.
But be aware that the requirement varies with each airline. So here I gave you the needed requirements to be a flight attendant. Just go through these requirements and prepare yourself for the interview. Here is the ultimate guide to become a flight attendant.
Let’s see the detailed flight attendant requirements to become a flight attendant.
1. Flight Attendant Qualifications
The education and age are the basic flight attendant qualifications.
Education
- Usually, airlines don’t require high-level education for this position.
- You must have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) or equivalent to become a flight attendant.
Age
- The minimum age requirement varies based on the company. But the age should be at least 18-21 years old.
2. Basic Requirements to Become a Flight Attendant
The basic flight attendant requirements are height, weight, vision and hearing capabilities. You have to meet the below requirements.
Flight Attendant Height Requirements or Reach Test
Height Requirements or Reach test is one of the very important flight attendant job requirements. This is applicable to all the airlines across the country. Airlines need this basic height to assist customers by grabbing equipment from the overhead bins.
- The height should be in the range of 5’0” to 6’3” feet without shoes.
- Must reach as high 67″ from the floor is more than enough.
Flight Attendant Weight Requirement
- There is no minimum or maximum requirement for age. But you should maintain your ideal height and weight balance.
Vision
- A vision test is mandatory. You should pass the vision test to become a flight attendant at any airlines.
- Both far and near vision test are carried out and each eye must be at least 20/40.
Hearing Requirement
- Airlines want a person who has a good hearing capacity too! So you must have normal middle ear function.
- You should pass a hearing test (no loss on audiometry in better ear greater than 40 dB when losses at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz are averaged)
3. Physical Appearance
Flight attendants are the faces for every airline. They are the only representing persons for their customers. So physical appearance is the basic flight attendant requirement than any others.
- You must follow airline’s grooming guidelines.
- You should adhere to Uniform and appearance standards.
- You must maintain a professional look.
- Tattoos: Visible tattoos are not allowed while you are in uniform. E.g.: Tattoos in the arms, hand, neck, face, legs, etc. are considered to be as visible tattoos.
- Piercing: No facial piercing is allowed. Also, should not have upper ear piercing or multiple piercings on the ear.
- Hair color: Should not have any artificial hair coloring while you are wearing the uniform.
- Hair length: Hair length should be above shoulder length, or at the collar.
- Facial hair: For men, a clean-shaven is required.
- Hairstyle: Avoid the latest hairstyles and stick with traditional and professional styles.
- Jewelry: Simple and Classy. No trinkets or bells or big dangling necklaces.
4. Skills
Some simple skills are required to complete the work tasks and to serve the customers. Here is the list of basic skills for the flight attendant job.
- You must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
- Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Must possess strong organizational skills.
- Must have basic math competency.
- Workable knowledge of basic computer skills and electronic tablet devices are necessary.
- Able to read and comprehend guidance as found in manuals.
- Eager to guide and lead others during stressful situations, medical emergencies, aircraft evacuations, etc.
- You must be capable of handling a stressful environment.
- Able to work independently as well as in a team to provide high-class customer service.
5. Physical Requirements
Physical requirements are very important always in this flight attendant job. Since most of the flight attendant job requirements are based on physical work.
- Flight attendant role requires some physical actions such as Walking, Bending, stretching, kneeling, reaching and light lifting.
- Must able to walk comfortably and stand for a long time.
- Pushing and pulling carts weighing in excess of 250 pounds.
- Able to push/pull beverage carts or meal carts (150-250 lbs)
- Must be able to lift emergency window exits (up to 60lbs) and to open emergency doors (91-126lbs)
- Ability to lift objects up to 35 pounds such as galley stowage bins and carry-on baggage.
- Able to lift up to 50 pounds from the ground to above the shoulders.
- Standing for a longer time period.
- Have to cope with the continuous traveling schedules and climatic conditions.
- Able to fit quickly through the over wing exit, and sit in the flight attendant jump seat without any modification and shoulder harness fastened.
- Have to bear the noisy ramp operations at the airport.
- Have to bear the environmental effects of dim lighting, G-forces, high noise levels, dry air, and turbulence.
- Must maintain excellent attendance as regular, reliable attendance is an essential requirement of the position.
6. Documents
You should possess the following documents. Documents are the necessary requirements to be a flight attendant. Without a valid document, you cannot become a flight attendant.
- Should have a valid passport or equivalent travel documents with applicable visas.
- If you are a US passport holder, then must have a minimum of 32 months validity remaining at the time of application.
- Must be authorized to work in the US.
- Have proper authorization to work in line with the Immigration Reform Act.
- Make sure to compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations
7. Tests
The below tests are the very important to job requirement to be a flight attendant. If you fail to meet these tests, then you may disqualify.
- Must pass a pre-employment drug screening test and alcohol testing.
- Must be willing to fulfill pre-employment checks mandated by TSA and Department of Transportation.
- Must pass a background check such as DOT fingerprint-based criminal history records check.
- Have to undergo Annual Continuous Education Programs.
- As usual, you have to pass a 10-year work history check.
- Must complete and pass an expected 6 weeks Flight Attendant training at the training facility. (After Appointment. Not during the interview process. Airlines itself will provide you training once you got selected.)
8. You should be ready to do the following tasks
There are many tasks to be done while you are working as a flight attendant. Some may be funny and some may be hard. Most people like a challenging job and they accept these requirements to acquire this wonderful job.
- Have to work in different climates in the world and with variable work shifts.
- Must be willing to travel anywhere as part of the job where Airlines has its operation.
- Must be willing to work flexible work hours such as evenings, nights, holidays, weekends, and extended hours.
- Must be willing to work in situations with difficult or impolite customers.
- Must accept the assignment to any Flight Attendant base.
- Must relocate to your assigned base location immediately after successful completion of the training.
- Must be ready to fly both Domestic and International air routes.
- You should ready to occasional overnight travel (30%).
- Perform duties in the limits of aircraft cabins and galleys.
- Always free from alcohol abuse and illegal drug use.
- Have to provide creative announcements.
9. Customer Focus Requirements
The flight attendant job is to better focus on customers and to retain them. So the requirements to satisfy the basic customer needs are necessary before applying to this job.
- You have to provide a world-class customer service.
- Guide the passengers during emergency situations. Provide emergency medical support such as first aid, CPR to help individuals in distress.
- Have to show caring nature to the passengers.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with Customers.
- Make the customers feeling safe and comfortable.
- Have to assist customers physically.
- Should take responsibility to resolve conflicts among passengers.
- Make the passengers have a good travel experience.
- Prepare and serve meals (veg or non-veg), snacks, alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages and conduct on-board sales of food, liquor, and duty-free items.
- Process payments for the purchased items such as beverages, snacks, etc.
- Be punctual at work.
10. With Co-Workers
You must possess the following abilities to fulfill the flight attendant job requirements.
- Have to work independently as well as in a team to complete work tasks.
- Must possess a strong work ethic.
- You should be friendly with your co-workers.
- Occasionally, coordinate and manage crew activities.
Experience
Don’t be panic about the work experience. No need of any airline work experience is required to become a flight attendant at any airline.
Added Advantage
- Multilingual skill is an added advantage.
- 2+ years of customer service is also an added advantage.
You may have a question that why airlines give preference to multilingual people. If an airline is operating a flight service from the United States to Japan, a majority of the people who are traveling are from Japan.
If you speak in the Japanese language with them, they feel more comfortable and homely feel. That’s why airlines give importance to multilingualism. But this is not a necessary flight attendant requirement.
The customer service experience is highly welcomed. Since you are going to serve the customers. Previous experience helps you to serve the customers better.
Work Benefits
You have numerous work benefits after you joined as a flight attendant. Airlines give a huge work perks to the flight attendants.
- Free travel privileges for family and friends.
- Discounted travel provisions on other airlines, hotels, car rentals, and cruise.
- Free foods during working hours.
- Complimentary hotel arrangements.
- Company stock purchase plans and profit sharing
- Various health benefits for individual and family.
- Outstanding Health Insurance.
- 401(k) matching funds.
- Various free online training.
- Good incentives
- Employee assistance program
- The good number of a vacation period.
- Paid vacation
- Short-term and Long-term disability insurance
- Self-directed accounts (SDA)
- Monthly bonuses should be given to those who meet customer satisfaction, arrival and departure targets.
That’s all about the detailed flight attendant requirements to become a flight attendant. Develop your skills and meet the above flight attendant job requirements. I like to see you as a successful flight attendant in the United States major airlines.
Good Luck!
