Flight Attendant

Also known as:

Air Host/Hostess
Airline Steward/Stewardess
Cabin Crew
Host/Hostess, Airline
Steward/Stewardess, Airline
Air Cabin Crew

Introduction

Flight attendants are responsible for the safety, care and comfort of airline passengers. They demonstrate safety procedures, serve food and drink and sell duty free products during the flight.

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Work Activities

Flight attendants look after airline passengers during their flight. Above all they are responsible for passengers' safety, so they are trained to deal with emergency situations.

They arrive at the airport at least one hour before take-off to attend a crew briefing. At this meeting their duties are allocated and they find out about any changes to the flight schedule and any passengers, such as unaccompanied children, who might need special attention.

Flight attendants (also known as air cabin crew) must know the emergency drill for the different aircraft they work on, and must be familiar with the emergency procedures used on them all. Before passengers board, crew check emergency equipment, ensure that the aircraft is clean and tidy, and that all seat pockets contain the correct information.

Flight attendants greet passengers on arrival, direct them to their seats and help them to store their hand luggage safely. They must ensure that safety procedures are followed. Before take-off, they check that passengers are wearing their seat belts and one of the attendants demonstrates the use of oxygen equipment, explains emergency procedures, and points out emergency exits. (Some airlines have replaced this duty and show a video recording instead.)

During the flight, attendants serve meals, snacks and drinks, and may sell duty free products and gifts such as alcohol, cigarettes and perfume. Food is usually prepared in advance by catering staff, but may need to be heated in the cramped conditions of the galley (kitchen). They will also check that passengers follow the rules about the use of IT and mobile phones and not smoking.

Depending on the destination they may sometimes have to issue immigration documents for passengers to complete.

At the end of the flight, crew check that passengers have all their hand luggage and ensure that they leave the plane safely.

After landing, attendants tidy the galley and add up the takings on gifts, duty free goods and bar drinks. They write a flight report, recording any unusual incidents or problems. They may sometimes have customs or immigration papers to fill in.

Long-haul flights require short periods away from home (up to three weeks at a time). Domestic and short-haul flights to Europe involve a rapid turn-around. Some airlines insist that staff live within a certain travelling time of the airport to reduce the chance of them arriving late.

Working hours can be long and may be altered at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, such as poor weather conditions.

Airlines usually provide a uniform.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to be friendly, patient, cheerful and polite. You must be able to keep calm in a crisis. You must enjoy working with all kinds of people and you should be a good team worker.

You will need to work quickly and efficiently in conditions which are confined and can be hot. Physical fitness and the ability to swim are both important.

Some airlines insist that recruits have good eyesight without the use of glasses or contact lenses. Your colour vision may be tested. Airlines usually specify minimum and maximum heights for cabin staff as well as weight to height ratios.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Flight attendants earn in the range of £14,000 - £16,000 a year, rising to around £25,000 a year. Permanent staff normally benefit from low-cost air travel.

Flight attendants usually work shifts, including weekends, on a rota basis. They need to be available to work at short notice and on any day of the year.

There are opportunities for promotion and progression. For example, cabin service directors manage cabin crew.

Airlines receive a very large number of enquiries about this kind of work. Some recruit seasonal staff who may later have the opportunity to take up permanent duties. Entry is competitive.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Applicants usually have at least one year's experience in an activity that involves dealing with the public, for example travel agency, airport or catering work. Other relevant experience can include customer service, care work or retail sales.

The ability to converse in a foreign language relevant to a particular airline may be required. The ability to swim is usually necessary.

• 6% of flight attendants work on a temporary basis.

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