How To Become A Flight Attendant

Step 1: High School

High school students can start preparing for careers as Flight Attendants by taking various helpful courses. The availability of relevant courses will vary depending on the selection of electives at your high school. Some of the classes to look for include Hospitality, Psychology, and Geography.

Learning a second language can also provide a competitive advantage in this field. Consider learning Spanish, French, Mandarin, or another major language.

Step 2: Earn an Associate’s Degree

Earning an Associate’s degree is an optional step that can increase your employability and make it easier to find a job as a Flight Attendant. While a degree is not required for Flight Attendants, it can provide useful skills and knowledge related to this career.

Common degree programs for aspiring Flight Attendants include Hospitality, Travel Economics, Communications, Public Relations, and Business. However, any postsecondary degree can improve your career prospects.

Step 3: Find a Job in the Hospitality or Tourism Industry

Airlines prefer to hire applicants that have one to two years of experience in a related industry such as Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism. You can start looking for customer service positions in these industries after high school, during college, or after college.

Flight Attendants often have experience working in restaurants, resorts, hotels, stores, and other environments where employees need to serve customers. Flight Attendants need strong interpersonal and communication skills, which you can obtain by working in customer service positions.

Step 4: Earn a CPR or First Aid Certification

Flight Attendants learn how to administer CPR and perform basic first aid during their initial training after getting hired. However, if you apply for a job already possessing these skills, you may increase your chances of getting hired.

The American Red Cross is one of the top providers of first aid training and certification. You can find CPR and first aid courses at Red Cross centers located across the country. Most courses last just a single day.

Step 5: Apply for a Job as a Flight Attendant

After gaining enough work experience, begin applying for entry-level Flight Attendant positions. Pay close attention to the requirements for each airline.

Some airlines have minimum and maximum heights and weights. You may need to be able to complete various physical tasks such as pushing, bending, and lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Most airlines also require applicants to have a valid passport and vision that is correctable to 20/40.

During interviews for airline jobs, it is important to present a professional appearance. Visible tattoos, piercings, and unusual makeup or hairstyles may limit your chances of getting hired.

Step 6: Complete Your Training

Airlines have training programs for new hires. The program may last three to six weeks and are required by the FAA. The training is typically completed at the airline’s training center.

If the training center is not in your local area, the airline may pay for transportation and lodging. The training may also be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer. During the training program, you will receive classroom instruction on essential topics such as flight regulations and company policies and procedures. The FAA also requires trainees to learn emergency evacuation procedures and how to operate the emergency equipment and administer first aid.

Airline training for Flight Attendants includes practice flights. You will fly on planes and practice the skills covered during your initial training. Training is an ongoing process for Flight Attendants. Throughout your career, your employer may require additional training and continuing education programs.

Step 7: Become Certified by the FAA

After completing your training, you need to become certified through the FAA. The FAA provides the Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency to Flight Attendants who pass an exam.

The certification is available for specific types of aircraft. If you switch airlines and work on a different type of aircraft, you may need to retake the exam and obtain a new certification. Flight Attendants are also required to receive yearly training to maintain their certifications.

When you earn your certification, you can start working on commercial flights. However, new Flight Attendants are typically placed on a reserve list and remain on call for a short period. During your first year, you may need to live near the airport to accept assignments on short notice. As you gain more experience, your seniority makes it easier to obtain new assignments.