The training process for flight attendants can be quite rigorous and time-intensive. New hires typically need to complete somewhere between three to six weeks of initial training, where they learn on-the-job skills such as safety procedures and emergency drills.
The training is very tough and intense but, if you make it through, it's the best learning experience and you will gain lifelong skills. It is a stressful time, and has to be, because flight attendants may have to deal with an emergency and must be calm and focused in such an event.
Flight Attendant Training is one of the most emotional, intense, stressful, exhausting, and exciting experiences you will probably have in your life. But once you earn your wings, it's all worth it in the end. It takes a great deal of commitment, dedication, and pride in your work to be successful.
We have established that only 1 percent of applicants will land a job as a flight attendant, but we didn't delve too deep into how competitive things can be for those vying for such a role. For example, Delta and Emirates receive 150,000 and 144,000 flight attendant applications each month, respectively.
Airlines provide a three- to six-week training program for their flight attendants. You will typically attend training for eight hours a day throughout the duration of the program. This training prepares you to use airport codes, make PA announcements, perform routine job duties and handle in-flight emergencies.
The national average annual wage of a flight attendant is $56,630, according to the BLS, slightly more than the average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. The average flight attendant salary can vary substantially from state to state.
New flight attendants typically work a reserve schedule and must be close to the airport, or sometimes wait at the airport for a call to duty. Senior flight attendants enjoy more flexibility in their schedule and choice of destinations. Both roles enjoy the same travel benefits with about 12 days off per month.
Some airlines hire flight attendants at 18, and that's a great place to start for aspiring flight attendants fresh out of high school. If any of those airlines are hiring, it will be listed on the Future Flight Attendant Job Board. Each airline will have its height requirements.
The minimum age requirement for flight attendants is 21. There are some airlines that are more lenient when it comes to age requirements, but they are typically regional or smaller carriers. For the major airlines, the average age limit for flight attendants is between 27 and 32 years old.
At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.
Being an introverted flight attendant is possible as long as you're ready to talk to people whether you feel like it or not, and if you're willing to work for hours while enduring the sudden crave for a quiet alone time. Don't get us wrong though, we're not telling you to transform yourself into a complete extrovert.
You will probably be feeling confident about the training having passed the selection process. However, word of caution here, don't assume you will pass the training! Some candidates do not achieve the necessary results at this stage and so are unsuccessful in achieving their dream career.
For aspiring flight attendants, Delta Air Lines, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job. It's harder to get invited to Delta flight attendant training than it is to get into Harvard University.
The job helped her meet her husband but unpredictable schedules and poor work-life balance led her to quit. "There were times when I'd sit in my jumpseat after a long day and wonder, 'What in the world am I doing here?' " she said.
The standards are set very high and the exams have a pass rate of 95% or above, depending on the airline. The training means working long days, lots of homework and stress. Some people leave during training either because they do not meet the grade or because they realize that it's not the right job for them.
But the unique pressures of flight attendants' lifestyles can complicate recovery: They are at high risk of occupational injury, including back problems, stress, and shift work disorder, which can result in excessive sleepiness or losing consciousness for seconds at a time.
The short answer is no they are not too old. Many people choose to become a Flight Attendant later in life. I have known people in their 40's and 50's who transitioned into a career as a Flight Attendant with no prior experience.
Flight attendants may have hours or even days between flights to travel and see local attractions. Some airlines also allow flight attendants to earn additional mileage or flight benefits. This means many flight attendants can fly for free on their company airlines even when they are not working.
Entry-level Flight Attendants are usually between 18 – 25 years old. This range does not apply to all recruiters and airlines. It is not unusual to find a Flight Attendant starting their career in their 30s.
Swimming Skills as a Requirement in Most Airlines
The answer is a big YES. Most domestic and international airlines have this specific requirement as one of the qualifications. Say for example, EasyJet needs a flight attendant who can swim twenty five meters without any assistance and tread water for at least a minute.
Expect a blended learning experience. In flight attendant training, you will be taught through a variety of methods. Some days might be spent entirely in a classroom, while others could be spent in an aircraft cabin simulator practicing actual procedures for dealing with in-flight emergencies.
How to Become an International Flight Attendant. The minimum qualifications to become an international flight attendant are usually either a GED certificate or high school diploma. However, some employers prefer applicants who have at least some college experience and a work history including customer service skills.
Flight attendants may have variable schedules, and part-time work is common. They often work nights, weekends, and holidays because airlines operate every day and have overnight flights. They may spend several nights per week or per month away from home.
Flight attendants frequently have between 12 and 18 days off per month and over a years time, average about 156 days off.
Flight attendant shifts can still last up to 14 hours.