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Cabin crew
Flight attendant, air steward, air stewardess
Air cabin crew help make sure that airline passengers have a comfortable, safe and pleasant flight.
Average salary (a year)
£15000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
30.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; applying directly
College
You could do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Air Cabin Crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.
Entry requirements
You may need:
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a cabin crew advanced apprenticeship.
This will usually take 12 months to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You could apply directly to airlines for a cabin crew job. Entry requirements vary but good customer service skills will be expected.
More Information
Career Tips
Some airlines and private providers run 2-day cabin crew courses, which may help your chances of getting a job.
Some airlines also have online career quizzes you can do to test whether working as air cabin crew is for you, before you apply.
Being able to speak a second language gives you an advantage when making applications. You'll also need to demonstrate that you have great customer service skills, so experience of working directly with the public is useful.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Customer service skills
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    To enjoy working with other people
    Knowledge of public safety and security
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Sensitivity and understanding
    A desire to help people
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
You'll also be expected to
have a smart appearance, have a valid passport with no restrictions for the countries the airline travels to, live within 90 minutes of your base, have good written and spoken English
Many airlines also ask that you're able to swim up to 25 metres.
There are rules about height and weight - these vary between airlines. As a general guide, most look for people between 5ft 2in (157cm) and 6ft 2in (188cm) with weight in proportion to height.
Related Restrictions
be over 18 years of age
have a good level of fitness
pass a medical check
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
Before a flight you could
attend a staff meeting about the route and schedule, check supplies on the plane and make sure emergency equipment is working properly, greet passengers and check documents, demonstrate emergency equipment and procedures
During a flight, you might
make sure passengers are comfortable and respond to any requests, serve food and drinks, and sell duty-free items, make announcements, reassure passengers in the event of an emergency, and make sure they follow safety procedures
At the end of a flight you'll often
make sure passengers leave the plane safely, write a flight report, including details about any unusual incidents, add up and record food and drink orders, and duty-free sales
Working environment
You could work on an aircraft.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and cramped.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could progress to cabin crew supervisor or a senior air cabin crew role.
You could also work in a ground-based job, like cabin crew training, recruitment, passenger services, marketing or sales.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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