There are several flight attendant requirements to keep in mind when you are trying to get a job as an attendant. Some of them are very obvious and are stated right in the job postings found online and offline. Some of them aren’t so obvious, but they will make the difference between one being hired and one being passed over for the job. Still other things may seem like requirements, but they are in truth more like ways to get ahead of the competition, so while the airline won’t specifically ask for it, they will give more preference to you if you have certain skills. What are flight attendant requirements and what should you keep in mind when you are applying for work as a flight attendant?
Basic Flight Attendant Requirements
Regardless of which airline you end up working for, there are some basic flight attendant requirements that need to be met.
Education. Airlines want flight attendants who at the very least have graduated high school (or have their GED) and many are leaning towards those with a college education, usually in hospitality or something people oriented.
Customer service experience. Some airlines will slide on this if you have a college degree, but it’s still a good idea to have some separate ‘on the job’ experience to put you above the crowd a bit.
Relocation. All major airlines and many smaller airlines make it a flight attendant requirement to be able to move. This is because most major airlines are located in huge cities so you need to be at ‘base’ near the airline.
Flexible. For the first year or many years, you will be ‘on call’ and often you’ll be called in to work a few hours before you start no matter what time it is. You have to be able to meet this demand.
Appearance. The bare minimum flight attendant requirements for appearance include height (between 5’3ish” and 6’1″ish inches) and to be in fairly good shape. This is because you have to be fit to work twelve hour shifts and the height is so that you can fit in any airplane, reach everything and fit the traditional uniforms. Beyond that, appearance requirements is left up to the airline.
Pass the background check. Airlines will conduct background checks including criminal checks, education/employment checks, and yes, even appearance checks! Don’t bother cheating on your application because you will completely ruin your chances at a job if you do.
Pass the medical check. Believe it or not, airlines do conduct company physical tests which include a urine test to determine whether you are on any drugs or not (make sure to inform the company of any medications you are taking). This test is done in order to ensure physical fitness and health as well as make sure that airline attendants aren’t hooked on anything.
Citizenship. You must either be an American citizen (or a citizen of whatever country you want to work in) or at least be able to move freely from country to country.
Extra Flight Attendant Requirements
While these flight attendant requirements aren’t necessarily requirements, they are important things to try to check off your list because they will make you more desirable to hire. Flight attendant jobs are incredibly competitive even if the demand for them is on the rise and so the more you have on your resume and to showcase, the better your chances are of getting a job as an airline attendant.
Second, third language. While not all airlines will require you to have a second language, it is a good idea to try to have one, especially if you want to work in International Airlines where the big money and the exotic travel is. The more languages you know the better, but even one outside of English is a great way to stay ahead of the pack
Appearance. While most airlines will have a basic requirement for appearance-generally being proportional and within a height range, some airlines are more stringent, especially the smaller and more private airlines. If nothing else, remember to have a carefully groomed and professional appearance: no piercings or tattoos, nice hair and skin, clean teeth, and clean clothing. But don’t get angry if a small airline doesn’t hire you on the basis of appearance; they have the final say on how they want their airline attendants to look.
Make sure to update your passports regularly and keep on the right side of the law no matter where you are. Even if you expect to never leave your country of origin, you should still have an updated passport because you just never know what will happen.
Flight attendant requirements may seem a bit stringent, but they are there for a reason. They ensure that flight attendants will be able to handle customers, be able to work long shifts comfortable, be able to travel from place to place and be able to cope with an emergency. Flight attendants are called upon to do a wide variety of things, so the more requirements you fulfill, the easier it will be to do your job and the more enjoyment you will derive out of your job. If you want to learn how to get a job as a flight attendant, take a close look at the flight attendant requirements and meet, then surpass as many of them as possible and you’ll find the job you want.