Flight attendants are essential to the safety and comfort of travelers, and as such, there are certain criteria that must be met before one can take on this important position. One of the most common questions that prospective flight attendants have is “how old do I have to be to become a flight attendant?”. Different airlines have different requirements when it comes to the age of flight attendants, so it is important to know the specifics of each airline. In this blog post, we will take a look at the age requirements for becoming a flight attendant, as well as other important factors to consider. We will also explore the benefits of becoming a flight attendant and the wide range of career opportunities available to those who join the profession. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of the qualifications and requirements to become a flight attendant and be ready to take the next steps towards pursuing your aviation career.
What are the general requirements to become a flight attendant?
Opportunities to work as a flight attendant are extremely competitive, and airlines may receive tens of thousands of applications each year. They are selective at every stage of the hiring process using precise standards for training, appearance, skills, and background. You can get ready to work as a flight attendant by being aware of their expectations. If you want to work as a flight attendant, you should take into account the following general requirements:
Education
At the very least, aspiring flight attendants need to have a high school diploma or an equivalent. They must be proficient in English, both spoken and written. Although not necessary, having a college degree and relevant experience can help applicants stand out to employers by demonstrating that they have the qualifications to succeed in the position. Experience in hospitality, customer service, and foreign languages is beneficial for flight attendants, whose jobs require excellent communication abilities.
Background
Candidates must demonstrate their eligibility for employment and citizenship in order to become flight attendants. During the hiring process, they must present identification and consent to background checks and pre-employment drug screenings. They might also need to relocate near a base airport for their airline, depending on where they are. These processes help airlines select reliable flight attendants.
Health and abilities
To carry out their duties, flight attendants need to be in good physical and mental health. They must be able to push a service cart, help passengers with their bags, and conduct safety checks while standing for extended periods of time. Most airlines have a minimum height requirement of 411″ because they need to be able to access overhead compartments. Additionally, flight attendants must wear corrective lenses or have good vision. All crew members should be able to swim in case of emergency, according to training materials.
Appearance
To appear approachable to passengers, the majority of major airlines demand that flight attendants maintain a tidy, professional appearance. They encourage conservative hairstyles and natural hair colors. Many have rules about tattoos and body piercings, like one earring per ear or no facial piercings. Aspiring flight attendants should review the grooming policies of their preferred employer to see if they meet the requirements since these standards differ by airline.
Flight attendant training
In order to learn the customer service and emergency response procedures for their airline, new flight attendants must complete flight attendant training. Passenger interaction, food and beverage handling, emergency response, and aircraft evacuation are all possible training topics. Before becoming certified, candidates must pass tests and participate in a test flight. Training for flight attendants can take three to six weeks to complete.
FAA certification
To work on an aircraft, trained flight attendants must be FAA certified. Flight attendants who want to work on different types of aircraft should pursue multiple certifications because each type of aircraft requires a specific certification. The FAA requires annual training to maintain certification. Flight attendants are assisted by airline training programs in obtaining and passing these exams.
How old do you have to be to become a flight attendant?
To work as a flight attendant, you must be at least 18 years old, and more than half of all major airlines require that potential candidates be at least 19 or 20 years old. You can apply to work as a flight attendant with any airline at age 21. Candidates who will meet an airline’s minimum age requirement during training are eligible to apply for flight attendant positions because minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.
What skills do you need to become a flight attendant?
In addition to the technical skills they learn during training, flight attendants also use soft skills to keep passengers on board safe and comfortable. Their responsibilities call for them to uphold high standards of customer service while enforcing aviation regulations. Here are some examples of skills for flight attendants:
Customer service
Customer service expertise is used by flight attendants to determine and attend to their passengers’ needs. Airlines demand that flight attendants treat passengers with the utmost respect from boarding until disembarking. As part of their duties as flight attendants, crew members welcome passengers, take and fill food and beverage orders, and offer comfort items.
Communication
Communication skills help flight attendants explain and enforce airline policies. Communication skills are used by flight attendants to convey pre-flight instructions, respond to passenger inquiries, and comprehend captains’ orders. When combined with specialized training, communication skills enable flight attendants to give calm, precise instructions and maintain order in the event of an emergency. Communication skills useful for flight attendants include:
Patience
Patience helps flight attendants provide excellent customer service. It enables them to remain composed while tending to all passengers, even those who might be anxious or ecstatic. When faced with difficult circumstances, flight attendants exercise patience to control their emotional reactions and provide calm, collected assistance to passengers. The ability to be patient also helps flight attendants cope with the frequent delays, lengthy flights, and layovers encountered in the aviation industry.
Problem-solving skills
Flight attendants use problem-solving techniques to deal with issues that arise mid-flight, such as a lack of refreshments, technical issues, and worried passengers. It is frequently the responsibility of the flight attendants to respond when a problem arises in the cabin. In order to demonstrate competence and give passengers a sense of security on the flight, flight attendants can benefit from using problem-solving techniques to recognize, assess, and improve difficult situations.
Attention to detail
In order to ensure that flight attendants uphold airline standards for appearance, customer service, and safety, attention to detail is a crucial skill. Maintaining safety equipment, confirming seating arrangements, and spotting customer service opportunities are all made easier by attention to detail by flight attendants. Skills that help flight attendants pay attention to detail include:
How Flight Attendants Are Trained
FAQ
What is the age limit for a flight attendant?
Age Requirements for Flight Attendants You must be at least 18 years old to work as a flight attendant. When applying, some airlines may require that you be 19 or 20 years old, but none may require that you be older than 21. Whether you can become a flight attendant later in life is another frequent query we receive.
Can 18 year olds be flight attendants?
Age: All major airlines require applicants to be at least 18 years old, though many, like United Airlines, have minimums as high as 21.
Can a teenager be a flight attendant?
Additionally, flight attendants must be at least 21 years old. They need to be in good physical shape and have the required level of vision. Like pilots, applicants must have a high school education. They also should possess some business or college experience.
What are the requirements to be a flight attendant?
Additionally, flight attendants must be at least 21 years old. They need to be in good physical shape and have the required level of vision. Like pilots, applicants must have a high school education. They also should possess some business or college experience.
