There are pros and cons to every job, and being a flight attendant is no exception. If you’re considering a career as a flight attendant, there are some pros and cons to taking this into account.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the pros and cons of being a flight attendant. This may help you decide if this is the right career for you!
Whether you’re already working in the industry or just thinking about it, read on to learn more!
20 Pros and Cons of Being a Flight Attendant!
Here is a list of pros and cons of being a flight attendant that I’ve compiled:
| Pros of Being a Flight Attendant | Cons of Being a Flight Attendant |
|---|---|
| You Get to Travel the World | Long Work Hours |
| You Learn New Skills | You’ll be constantly on your feet |
| Good Pay and Benefits | You may have to deal with rude passengers |
| Food expense reimbursement | You may have to work during inclement weather |
| You can get Flying benefits (Reduced airline tickets) | You may have to work overnight shifts |
| Flying benefits for friends and family | You’ll miss out on important family time |
| No scheduled work time, So never get bored | You’ll often be working during holidays and special occasions |
| Opportunities to meet new people | You have to be able to handle stress |
| Discounts on overnight hotel stays | You may have little control over your own schedule and hours |
| Get new friends worldwide | In-flight meals will always be subpar |
| Adventurous and passionate worklife | Physical Demands |
| Very rewarding experience if you enjoy helping others | You spend a lot of time in airports |
10 Pros of Being a Flight Attendant
Flight attendants are some of the most dedicated and hardworking professionals in the airline industry. They are constantly on their feet and have to deal with a lot of different scenarios.
Here are 10 of the most important pros of being a flight attendant:
1. You Get to Travel the World
There are many pros to being a flight attendant. One of the most obvious benefits is that you get to see the world!
As a flight attendant, you’ll have the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country or even the world. If you love to travel, this can be a great perk of the job! In addition, flight attendants receive free or discounted travel, which means you can fly to your favorite destinations for vacation or visit family and friends around the globe without spending a lot of money.
This can be a great way to see the world and meet new people. Finally, being a flight attendant can be a great way to make new friends. You will meet people from all over the world and you will likely form lifelong friendships.
And, since you typically only work a few days per week, you’ll have plenty of time to explore your surroundings and take in all that different cultures have to offer. So, if you’re looking for a job that allows you to see new places and experience different cultures, being a flight attendant may be the perfect career for you!
Okay! How to become a flight attendant in a reputed airline? I devised 6 simple steps to become a flight attendant in any airline.
2. You Learn New Skills
Being a flight attendant is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs you could ever choose. Not only do you get to travel all around the world, but you also get to learn new skills and meet new people every day.
Flight attendants are required to have a multitude of skills, ranging from customer service to aviation knowledge. This means that no matter what your interests may be, chances are that you’ll eventually use some of the skills that you learn while working as a flight attendant.
Another great thing about being a flight attendant is that it doesn’t require a college degree. In fact, many flight attendants start their careers as trainees before eventually becoming licensed professionals. This means that there’s always room for more people in this career field, no matter your qualifications.
And lastly, being a flight attendant is one of the most reliable and secure jobs out there. Flight crews are typically well-paid and have good benefits, including medical insurance and retirement plans.
3. Good Pay and Benefits
There are many pros to being a flight attendant. One of the biggest pros is the pay and benefits.
Flight attendants typically earn a good salary and benefits package. This can be a great way to support yourself and your family. In addition, many airlines offer their flight attendants perks, such as free or discounted travel.
So, if you’re looking for a career that pays well and comes with some great benefits, then being a flight attendant may be the right choice for you.
4. You can get Flying benefits (Reduced airline tickets)
As a flight attendant, you will often get the benefit of reduced airline tickets. This can be a great way to travel the world on a budget.
In addition, many airlines offer their flight attendants free or discounted travel. So, if you love to travel, being a flight attendant may be the perfect career for you!
5. Flying benefits for friends and family
In addition to the benefit of reduced airline tickets, you may also be able to getflying benefits for your friends and family. This can be a great way to help them save money on travel.
So, if you’re looking for a career that allows you to help your loved ones save money on travel, then being a flight attendant may be the right choice for you.
6. No scheduled work time, So never get bored
Another great thing about being a flight attendant is that you don’t have a set work schedule. This means that you can never get bored!
You also get to travel to different places and meet new people, which can be both exciting and educational. Another plus is that you generally have good working hours, so you can still enjoy a social life outside of work.
Of course, there are some downsides to the job (such as the long hours and the physical demands), but overall, being a flight attendant can be a very rewarding experience.
7. Opportunities to meet new people
One of the best things about being a flight attendant is that you have the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. You’ll get to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, which can be both exciting and educational.
In addition, you’ll generally have good working hours, so you can still enjoy a social life outside of work. It’s a great job for people who love to travel and meet new people.
8. Food expense reimbursement
Another great perk of being a flight attendant is that you can get your food expenses reimbursed. This can be a great way to save money, especially if you’re traveling to expensive cities.
Flight attendants are allowed to bring their own food and drink on board the plane, which means that you don’t have to spend money on meals when you’re traveling. In addition, most airlines will reimburse you for any food or beverage expenses that exceed your budget. So, whether you’re treating yourself to an overpriced meal in a fancy city or just need some extra cash flow while traveling, reimbursement options are available.
Depending on your airline, you may even be able to get as much as 80% of your food expenses reimbursed! This means that you won’t have any extra bills coming in at the end of your trip, which is always nice.
So, if you’re looking for a career that allows you to save money on travel and food, then being a flight attendant may be a good choice!
9. Overnight hotel stays
Another great perk of being a flight attendant is that you can get free or discounted hotel stays. This can be a great way to save money on travel, especially if you’re traveling to expensive cities.
Not only that but being a flight attendant gives you access to special discounts and offers from hotels and other businesses. So, whether you’re looking for an overnight stay near the airport or want to take advantage of some amazing deals on luxury hotels in important destinations, being a flight attendant has got you covered!
Some airlines even offer special deals for flight attendants that allow them to stay in luxury hotels at an extremely reduced rate.
10. You Get to Help People
In addition to the opportunity to travel the world, you’ll also get to help people. As a flight attendant, you’ll be responsible for the safety and well-being of your passengers. This can be a rewarding experience, knowing that you’re helping to keep people safe during their travels.
In addition, you’ll also get the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people, both passengers and crew members. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career, then becoming a flight attendant may be the right choice for you.
I covered the detailed flight attendant requirements in a separate article. Check it before applying for the flight attendant job!
These are just some of the pros of being a flight attendant. Now lets take a look at some of the cons.
Cons of being a flight attendant
Being a flight attendant may seem like a dream job at first, but there are some cons that you should be aware of. Now let’s see the cons of being a flight attendant!
1. Long Work Hours
Working as a flight attendant can be very demanding. You may have to work long hours! This can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
One downside of being a flight attendant is that you can expect to work long hours. This can be tough, especially if you’re not used to working long shifts.
Flight attendants typically work an average of 16 hours per day, which can include overnight shifts. This can be tough on your body, and it can be difficult to get enough rest.
Flight attendants typically work 12-hour shifts, completing two rounds of duty (arrival and departure) in a day. This means that you’ll be working continuously for almost 16 hours each week! And because most airlines don’t allow their employees to take any breaks during their shift, this can really take its toll on your body and mind.
In addition, flight attendants often have to work on holidays and weekends. So, if you’re looking for a job that offers a lot of flexibility, then being a flight attendant may not be the right choice for you.
2. You’ll be constantly on your feet
Being a flight attendant means that you’ll be constantly on your feet. This can be incredibly tiring, and it can really take a toll on your body.
A lot of the work that flight attendants do is standing or walking. So, if you’re not used to this type of physical activity, it can cause some serious pain and discomfort.
This can be very tiring, especially if you’re not used to it. And, because airlines often don’t provide any breaks or air conditioning during these types of conditions, it can really take its toll on your body and mind.
3. You may have to deal with rude passengers
Of course, not all passengers will be easy to deal with. You may have to deal with difficult passengers on a regular basis. This can be stressful and challenging, but it’s all part of the job.
If you’re a flight attendant, then you know all too well that there are always those people who can be quite rude and unruly. This is especially true if the plane has just arrived or is about to depart.
Unfortunately, these types of passengers often don’t understand how taxing it can be for flight attendants to work long hours and deal with difficult customers on a daily basis.
4. You may have to work during inclement weather
If there is bad weather outside, then you know that it’s going to be difficult for Flight Attendants to come to work. This is because they are required to remain on the ground while the planes are in flight or they could be subject to fines from their airline.
Even if conditions aren’t as severe, working during bad weather can still be tiring and uncomfortable. And, since most airlines don’t provide any breaks during these types of conditions, it can really take its toll on your body and mind.
5. You may have to work overnight shifts
Flight attendants are often required to work overnight shifts. This means that they are on duty for a long period of time – usually between 12 and 16 hours – and they don’t get any sleep.
This can be very difficult on the body, especially if you’re not used to it. And, because most airlines don’t provide any breaks or meal times during these types of shifts, it can really take its toll on your energy level and stamina.
6. You may have to work during hot weather conditions
Many flight attendants are required to work during hot weather conditions. This means that they are outside in the sun for a long period of time – usually between 10 am and 5 pm – and they don’t get any relief from the heat
This can be very tiring, especially if you’re not used to it. And, because airlines often don’t provide any breaks or air conditioning during these types of climates, it can really take its toll on your body and mind.
7. You’ll miss out on important family time
Most flight attendants work long hours, which means that they are usually not able to spend as much time with their families as they would like. This can be very difficult for the spouse or family member who is stuck at home while the attendant is out working on a plane.
Also due to the irregular schedules, you may not get the chance to work consecutive days or weeks. This can also lead to missed family time in the future.
8. You may have little control over your own schedule and hours
Flight attendants typically have very irregular schedules, which means that they don’t always know what their next shift will look like a few days in advance. This can be frustrating because you may not be able to plan anything around it
Furthermore, many flight attendants are required to work one or more call-back shifts – which means that they are called back into work after being off for an extended period of time. This can also be quite disruptive and frustrating.
9. You’ll often be working during holidays and special occasions
Flight attendants are usually required to work on major holidays, such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. This means that they are likely to be working late into the night – and sometimes even overnight – on these important days. This can be very tiring, especially if you’re not used to it.
10. In-flight meals will always be subpar
Flight attendants are responsible for preparing the meals that are served on planes. This can be a challenging and time-consuming job, which is often why in-flight meals tend to be quite disappointing. They may not always be fresh and they may not taste very good.
It’s better to bring your own food, during the work days to avoid this situation.
11. You have to be able to handle stress
Working as a flight attendant can be very demanding and high-pressure. There is always the potential for danger, and you must be able to handle stress well.
Flight attendants have a lot of stress in their jobs. This is because they are constantly on the go, and they are often required to work long shifts. This can be very tiring, and it can lead to problems with both your mental and physical health.
12. You spend a lot of time in airports
This may not be a problem for everyone, but many flight attendants find themselves spending a lot of time in airports. This is because they are usually required to work on callbacks, which means that they are called back into work after being off for an extended period of time. This can be quite disruptive and frustrating.
13. Physical Demands
If you are interested in becoming a flight attendant, it is important to understand the physical demands that the job entails.
The physical demands of being a flight attendant can be challenging, and there are several things to consider before making the jump into this career.
First and foremost, remember that being a flight attendant requires heavy lifting. You may have to lift heavy bags and stand for long periods of time, which can take its toll on your body. Make sure you are physically prepared for this demanding career by bearing weights comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of being a flight attendant?
There are many disadvantages to being a flight attendant, including long hours, difficult passengers, and low pay. However, there are also many pros to the job, such as travel benefits, interesting people, and unique experiences. The hardest part of being a flight attendant is dealing with difficult passengers and long hours. However, the pros of the job outweigh the cons for many people.
Is it worth it to be a flight attendant?
The answer to this question is different for everyone. Some people love being a flight attendant and would never consider another job, while others find the cons of the job to be too difficult to deal with. Only you can decide if being a flight attendant is right for you. If you enjoy travel, interesting people, and unique experiences, it might be worth it to give the job a try. However, if you don’t like long hours or dealing with difficult passengers, you might want to consider another career.
What are the pros of being a flight attendant?
Some of the pros of being a flight attendant include travel benefits, interesting people, and unique experiences. If you enjoy travel, this is a great job for you. You will get to see new places and meet new people from all over the world. Being a flight attendant can be a very rewarding experience if you enjoy helping others and making sure they have a safe and enjoyable flight.
What is the hardest part about being a flight attendant?
The hardest part of being a flight attendant is dealing with difficult passengers and long hours. Many flight attendants find themselves working long hours with little rest in between flights. This can be very tiring and make it difficult to give each passenger the best possible experience. Additionally, some passengers can be very demanding or rude, which can make the job more
Is being a flight attendant stressful?
Being a flight attendant can be stressful?
Yes, dealing with difficult passengers, long hours, and little rest can take a toll on your mental and physical health. If you are not prepared for the stress of the job, it might not be the right career for you.
What are some of the best things about being a flight attendant?
Some of the best things about being a flight attendant include travel benefits, interesting people, and unique experiences. If you enjoy travel, this is a great job for you. You will get to see new places and meet new people from all over the world. Being a flight attendant can be a very rewarding experience if you enjoy helping others and making sure they have a safe and enjoyable flight.
Disadvantages of being an air hostess?
Some of the disadvantages of being an air hostess include long hours, difficult passengers, and low pay. However, there are also many pros to the job, such as travel benefits, interesting people, and unique experiences. The hardest part of being an air hostess is dealing with difficult passengers and long hours.
Challenges of being a flight attendant?
Some of the challenges of being a flight attendant include long hours, difficult passengers, and low pay. However, there are also many pros to the job, such as travel benefits, interesting people, and unique experiences.
Final thoughts
Being a flight attendant is something that can be considered adventurous and passionate. And as someone who has been in this industry for 15 years, I can say that being a flight attendant comes with both pros and cons.
Some of the things we have spoken about above might not be so obvious to you, but are there any surprise results? To sum it up, the job requires lots of flexibility, competency in handling situations out of one’s control, strong communication skills, and a positive attitude.
The best way to prepare for such an adventure is by researching everything before taking this step. That way you get all the knowledge about what does and does not work well for you ahead of time!
These are just some of the pros and cons of being a flight attendant. Now that we’ve looked at some of the pros and cons of being a flight attendant, you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right career for you.
Do you have what it takes to be a flight attendant? If you’re interested in this career, then be sure to research the pros and cons before making your decision. Thanks for reading!
