Air Cabin Crew

Cabin Crew jobs are extremely popular, so our aim is to provide you with all the information you will need in regards to this highly sought after position, be it through the free information on this web page or the career advice book and E-Learn Cabin Crew Diploma that we sell (you are guaranteed an interview with easyJet and Excel Airways upon completion of the diploma). The following free information is taken from the UK's best selling career guidance book relating to this industry entitled 'So You Want to be Air Cabin Crew?'.

So, what does the job entail?

Cabin crew are responsible for the safety and welfare of the passengers both in the air and on the ground. They:-

• greet passengers upon boarding the aircraft
• supervise seating and safety arrangements
• serve food and drink
• sell goods including wine, spirits, perfume and jewellery
• complete paperwork relating to the flight

In the event of an emergency the cabin crew must ensure that passengers remain calm and orderly. They must have a comprehensive knowledge of the airline’s safety procedures and must take control of the situation. If necessary they will administer first-aid to passengers. Being a cabin crew member has advantages and disadvantages which are found in few other careers. Travel concessions are a big advantage of airline work as employees may travel at greatly reduced rates to many parts of the world. Cabin crew sometimes have the chance of spending their days off in a foreign country – a fringe benefit which few other jobs can offer. On the other hand hours of work are extremely irregular and the cabin crew will often be working at weekends and over public holidays. Those engaged on long distance flights may be away from home for long periods. Finally, the cabin crew may have a number of flight reports, customs and health forms to complete either during the flight or after they see passengers safely off the aircraft.
 

Requirements

Age - you should be between 19 and 41 years old (check with individual airlines).

Physical - your height should be between 5’2’’ (1.57m) and 6’2’’ (1.87m) with weight in proportion. You should have good eyesight with or without glasses or contact lenses and you must not be colour-blind.

Education - ideally you should have an educational standard of GCSE or equivalent. Clear diction and total fluency in English is essential (for UK airlines). Conversational ability in a second language although not necessary is beneficial. If you declare that you can speak a second language you will be tested for oral skills at a level which at which you declare yourself proficient during the selection process. Any nursing of First Aid qualifications are extremely beneficial.

 

Training

Individual airlines provide their own training which normally takes 4-6 weeks. Courses vary in content but cover all aspects of cabin crew duties including; instruction in food and drink service, first-aid, emergency and survival drills, currency exchange and customer relations. There is also an opportunity to demonstrate the newly learned skills in a mock-up aircraft cabin. After training there is usually a period of on-the-job assessment under the supervision of experienced cabin crew which may last for 6-12 months. You will also be tested before every flight on the Safety and Evacuation Procedures and first aid.


 

Personal Qualities

These requirements are common to all airline companies:

• customer service orientated
• ability to work well in a team as well as acting upon your own initiative.
• a friendly, polite and caring personality
• commonsense, tact and calmness (in case of emergency
• professional appearance
• good communication skills
• plenty of energy, stamina and enthusiasm
• willing to work unsociable hours and to spend long periods away from home

If you require further information on this exciting career then why not buy a copy of the best selling 'So You Want to be Air Cabin Crew?' in either paperback or E-Book format? This title is an in-house publication and is endorsed by easyJet. (Refer to the Books menu for more information).

Also, have you looked at the Cabin Crew Diploma? This study from home course give you the advantage over other applicants when going for the position of Air Cabin Crew. (Refer to the Courses menu for more information).