The reality of working as an air hostess is a million miles away from the outdated perceptions of a ‘trolley dolly’ or a ‘waitress in the sky’.
With such strict safety regulations, a dramatic increase in low-cost flights and the tight turn-around times, plus regulations at airports, working as an air hostess, or rather, as cabin crew, is a very demanding job.
While there has been a large amount of negative press about cabin crew thanks to strikes causing travel chaos, the image of cabin crew is still very much that of a glamorous career choice. Many cabin crew may disagree with that though, as the role is fast-paced, relatively low paid and highly competitive.
So why is it considered an appealing option, especially for young men and women? Well, the travel perks are a huge incentive and even if you work for a low-cost airline, rather than a large international carrier, there are still plenty of opportunities to see different places around the world.
Salary Expectations
There are two quite distinct arenas for cabin crew employment opportunities – low-cost airlines and major international carriers. Although the salary expectations are not that different (starting at around £14,000 and rising to around £20,000 for more senior cabin crew) the perks do tend to differ, as do the conditions.
For low-cost airline cabin crew, the flights tend to be short, with a very quick turnaround and fewer opportunities for stops of more than one night. For the international carriers, it is common for cabin crew to have two to three nights ‘off’ in their destination city, with all expenses paid.
It is worth noting that these expenses have been curtailed in recent years, particularly since the recession impacted the travel industry, so hotels are less impressive and per diem (daily allowances) rates are reduced.
Cabin Crew Criteria
For all cabin crew, there is a raft of criteria that must be met prior to any application. Most airlines tend to have direct recruitment policies, with application forms available on their website (usually under the careers section) that must be completed online. Although there are a few recruitment agencies that deal with airlines, this is not a particularly popular route, so applying direct is a better bet.
As a rule, the criteria include minimum height restrictions (usually 5ft 2") and ‘weight in proportion to height’. Although this certainly helps the ‘glamorous’ image of cabin crew, it is also for practical reasons, as the cabins are small, with a number of tasks needed to be completed in a small space.
Applicants must also have at least GCSE level English and maths, with references available from the last five years’ employment. Applicants need to be well presented, with no tattoos or piercings visible, plus be able to swim and tread water.

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Most training is done in a group setting, usual at the UK base of the airline. For those applying to work at other UK airports, accommodation is usually provided for the duration of the training. This can be around four weeks, with classroom-based learning, flight simulation and empty test flights.
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Career Development
Although many people see working as a cabin crew member as a relatively short-term career while they are young, free and single, there are plenty of opportunities available for career development, perhaps because so many people leave after a couple of years. There are senior crew positions as well as land-based roles, with many cabin crew choosing to work in an office role at the airline once their personal circumstances make the shift patterns and required flexibility of being cabin crew less appealing.
Other Careers in Travel
To find out what other careers are available in the travel industry, read our article Working In Travel in the Leisure & Hospitality section of this site.
I have been in hospitality for many years.
I love people and traveling to which I would like to expand on.
I have the right qualifications to meet the criteria however I am 5ft 1. Would this be a problem?
So,now I dream to be an air hostess .
PLEASE tell me I am alligible or not and what I have to do be an air hostess
Please reply soon .
is there a possibility of you giving me a chance to join the air hostess team
"You need to be a minimum of 18 years of age
In order to reach the overhead lockers on board you must have an arm reach of 210cm
You will need to be able to do the brace position which involves having your feet flat on the floor whilst sitting in our jump seat which is 45cm off the floor.
Good customer service experience
Have a minimum of three GCSE or equivalent level passes (it is not necessary to have done a crew related course)
Have no live criminal convictions or cases pending, including drink driving convictions.
We would also suggest taking any opportunity to participate in team activities (either part-time/summer holiday/Saturday jobs etc.) in customer service while you are still in school or college. This could contribute to an all-rounded experience that may be helpful when you eventually apply for a cabin crew role."
I'm looking at Virgin Atlantic and there is a few training courses set around the UK and one near me!
Any help would be greatly received
Thank you
Maisie :)
I really wanted to become one despite of my achievements.
I love to mingle with strangers and love doing house hold works and serving people mostly home visitors. So that always encourage me to keep on trying. So what do i do to attain a place?
I always wanted to be an air hostess,
Please help me, for my future
i always admire them alot and recently i just admired them more after being to Jomo Kenyatta International airport
have read some of the requirements but what i dont have mostly is that have never worked in any international or any hotel and also i havent learnt any foreigh language is there any chance of me become one of the hostess
Im actually 17 and im 1m75cm tall.
pleases help me.
GOT ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.
Thank you
but now I attending Final Year Architecture.It is not my hobby .I dun know what should I do
Since childhood I was so much into that .
BT I'm onli 5 ft .
So can I become a air hostess?
thanks
I am 26 due to be 27 in september i have a 3 year old daughter. I wanted to be a cabin crew personal after i leftt school. I wood still love to do it now. But family first. Most cabin crew are 27 and over. I hope this helps.. X
I'm looking for some advice on how to start and what's the best way forward.
Thank you.
Can the authorities enlighten me here. Be thankful
hostess,to make my life a living around
Africa and some worm places,having soon
th talk along with my people,for those
who would be with me in that airplane
would be like,become am nice and
cute,,Completed my matric and am 19 years old....
I am 20 years old and I have completed my matric in 2015.
I passed matric with the admission to diploma. I did Tourism and English Home Language.
I am interested in being an air hostess. I am very hard workin, I am also friendly and communicate well with people and I also respect authority.
I'm nepali from japan and i am 17 years old . Well my height is about 5'4-5'5 i am perfect in height but i didn't get to complete my GCSE as my parents have to migrate here in japan.
And i really want to have my career in airlines as airhostess can you please help me or any consultant refering to my career ......I'm doing Arbito for my lesure time these days
I am Ashley and I am 21 years old. Currently I am looking to move from Holland to England.
I finished my study, Leisure Hospitality Executive is it necessary to do a extra Cabin Crew Training/course?
I hope to hear from you soon!
I want your company air hosttes job
I'm 24 years old I like that job
I want your company air hosttes job
"Need change"!
Cabin crew would be it.
Thanks,
Jon .
Thank you
Ellie
Lauren
????????
am 18 and am fluent in English as well as in French. to be an air hostess has always been my dream *~*
i got good communication skills, am a patient girl who even loves to take up challenges.
since certain people are talking about their height, then i would like to state that i am 1m72 in height :3
But if the comments are anything to go by - I don't think I'm up against much competition.
Girls/guys... ;Mybe Dnt tLk lyk dis!?)
Greetings of the day,
I am keen to know more about course detail for application for an " Air Hostess" need to know the basic eligibility & pre requisite.
Waiting for prompt reply.
Regards,
Sujata
I m study in B.Sc 2nd year....and i became a air hostess but why shloud i do become a air hostess.....plz suggest me....
to learn?
am 19 I am really intreasted
in becoming an airhostess
can I get some information
on how to start please
Thank you
Just a young women trying to accomplish more in life and travel.
It always have been my family think that I just fitt then part because of how glamorous and outgoing I am ,I'm so excited to begin the first chapters of my life and live in Dubai and meet new people everyday I'm not very good at maths but I will try my best in everything I took travel and tourism and the usually core lessons I love english and pe so I'm very sporty and always had a ffinimonal figure
do you think i can be a air hostess.
please tell me
Wat options do I choose to become one and do I
have to go to university ???
I also speak 3 languages and am learning one more
Which is French.
an air hostess.
Please suggest the weight,height and minimum qualification for air hostess.
Urs
Bhavana
I'm 12 years old.
I have a big wish to be an Air hostess.
and i will give my board in 2015. all i want to
apply for the air hostess training and then want to work in international airlines. so tell me how is it possible?
I am a 15 year old and want to be an air hostess when I grow up, the only problem is I am taller than 5ft tall does this mean that there is no way that my dream carrer will happen
.i have 5years experiance in custom service i am working in a casino
as a table dealer inother ward clupier.
i am a team work man .i can work with diferents clients.
tell me please what do i need to have to get this job
I am a Software Engg having experience of 2 years. Now I wish to be an air hostess.
Please say is it possible to switch my career.
Thanks in advance,
Sreejith.P
I m currently doing my N4 and my course is Human Resource, i was also doing my matric a Year before last nd i got "A" on English first lang, "C" on Maths Literacy.
Many Thanks
Anyway, 'kahrypoo' - in the UK you will need 4-5 GCSE's grade A*-C and knowing another language will help you, but it is not required :) I hope this helps, all the best of luck!
Oh and for extra information on Air Hostess entry requirments visit any of these websites:
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