How To Become A Flight Attendant (Requirements & Benefits)

Cabin crew personnel are responsible for ensuring that passengers have a pleasant flight experience and that both passengers and flight crew comply to safety regulations. Learning about the requirements required for cabin crew professionals may help you make more educated employment choices. This post will discuss how to join the cabin crew, what positions they hold, and recommendations for those interested in working as a cabin crew. Let’s look at how to become a member of the cabin crew.

Cabin Crew Jobs

There are three types of cabin crew jobs:

1. Purser

This position is also known as a senior flight attendant, who is in charge of overseeing other flight attendants. A purser or senior flight attendant is responsible for completing reports and ensuring that all safety procedures are followed by both passengers and cabin crew.

2. Airline Flight Attendant

Flight attendants, sometimes known as stewards, can assist passengers with their luggage, provide customer service activities such as delivering refreshments, and ensure that passengers follow pilot directions and safety requirements. Flight attendants may be assigned additional duties on longer flights.

3. Onboard Chef

An onboard chef’s primary responsibility is to prepare meals for people on board.

Cabin Crew Duties And Responsibilities

  • Attend pre-flight meetings on a flight plan and passenger needs (for example, necessities for children flying without an adult)
  • Welcome passengers as they board an aircraft
  • Help passengers find their seats
  • Assist passengers with storing their luggage for a flight
  • Describe airline and government safety rules for a flight
  • Ensure luggage is safely stowed before a flight begins
  • Complete a pre-flight checklist
  • Make announcements for pilot
  • Take passenger orders for meals and refreshments
  • Answer passenger questions or solve conflicts
  • Serve food and drinks to passengers
  • Reassure passengers in the event of an emergency
  • Help passengers safely disembark from an aircraft
  • Inspect aircraft for lost or suspicious luggage
  • Clean aircraft before the next flight
  • Write flight reports

How to Become a Cabin Crew Member

The following are the steps you can take to become a cabin crew member.

  • Attend Aviation School

You can enroll in a flight attendant training program near you to gain the knowledge and skills needed to serve as a cabin crew member. Flight attendant training programs normally take three months.

  • Obtain Customer Service Training

Customer service experience is required for a position as an airline cabin crew. Working in customer service can help you develop transferable skills for working on airplanes. The following are the customer service skills you will require:

  • Good communication skills
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Leadership Skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Teamwork

Requirements To Work As A Cabin Crew Member

If you want to work as a cabin crew member, you must meet the following qualifications.

Education: A high school diploma is required to complete the basic education requirements of a cabin crew member.

  • Age: Most airlines hire cabin crew as young as 18 years old, while others require cabin crew to be at least 21 years old. As a result, you must be very young and inexperienced to work as a cabin staff member.
  • Physical requirements: Cabin crew may be required to meet height, weight, strength, and stamina standards. The physical criteria differ according to the airline.
  • Background check: Airlines may demand cabin crew personnel to go through a background check to verify their identity, criminal record, education, and other personal information.
  • Travel papers: To work as a cabin crew member on an airplane, you must have proper travel documentation, such as an international passport.

Benefits Of Being A Flight Attendant

Being a flight attendant is regarded as one of the most prestigious jobs in the aviation business. Some of the reasons for their high regard include their ability to assure the safety, comfort, and well-being of passengers throughout flights. 90% of the time, they are the airline’s face, giving passengers with a warm and happy environment, being respectful to them, and demonstrating good interpersonal skills.

Duties Of A Flight Attendant

  • Conduct a thorough safety check pre-flight.
  • Management of the flight cabin.
  • Serving food and drinks to the passengers.
  • Sharing relevant information with the crew members and passengers on board.
  • Assisting passengers during emergencies.
  • Preparation and submission of flight reports.
  • Helping passengers find their seats, emergency exits, and oxygen masks.
  • Skills and Requirements of a Flight Attendant
  • Prior experience as a flight attendant or similar role.
  • Flight attendant certification
  • Proficiency in English Language
  • Customer-centric
  • Good communications skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Teamwork
  • Excellent dress sense

Advantages Of Working As A Flight Attendant

While the job of a flight attendant is arduous, various benefits make it worthwhile, including the following:

  • Explore The World!

Flight attendants have the option to go to numerous countries because they work on aircraft that travel to different places. They provide crucial services to passengers on board, allowing them to travel to and serve in a variety of nations across the world. Flight attendants also receive cheap flight fees for themselves and their families, making it simple to get in the air whenever necessary.

  • Delicious Pay

While it takes time and experience to enjoy the sweetest part of the salary, you would still be happy with what you are getting now if you had just started. Furthermore, the income of a flight attendant can be determined by a variety of criteria such as level of skill, airline worked for, and region of operation. Aside from their income, flight attendants receive bonuses and remuneration based on the number of flying hours, the length of the flight, and their position within the firm. According to Glassdoor, the average compensation of a flight attendant in Nigeria is NGN175,000 per month, with a monthly total pay of NGN775,000.

  • Great Professional Work Relationships

As part of their duties, flight attendants must “meet”, “greet”, and “check”. These interactions assist them in establishing and maintaining solid professional working relationships with a variety of persons, including passengers, crew members, and other personnel. An contact with each of these individuals generates a favorable connection, builds trust, and leads to a more secure workplace, creating excellent camaraderie within the sector.

  • The glitz!

Flight attendants may be able to meet and be in the same room with celebrities and high-profile passengers. When this group of people travels by plane, they usually do so in first or business class, where flight attendants may interact with them and respond to their requirements. Although flight attendants are trained to recognize and respect people’s boundaries while being professional, they can also slip in a quick “Hi, really nice to meet you in person!” “I’m a fan.”

  • Status

Flight attendants are highly valued for their professionalism, commitment to customer service, and the physically demanding nature of their duties. They are given a level of acknowledgment that allows them to hold their heads high and appreciate the rich societal viewpoints on them. So, when people ask, “Are you a flight attendant?” Wow! Nice!” It’s alright to smile from ear to ear because for a long time, that was it.

  • Well-Thought-Out Retirement Plans

Retirement plans varies amongst airlines, but they normally come in a package that considers the worker’s future beyond the job. The programs provide flight attendants with packages and chances that allow them to fully prepare for the future.

  • Paid And Fancy Hotels

During layovers, airlines provide compensated and elegant accommodations to flight attendants, eliminating the need for the flight attendants to worry about the cost of a hotel. Furthermore, for ease and access, these hotels are positioned near the airport. Furthermore, when selecting a site for accommodation, major airlines prioritize the safety and comfort of their attendants, as well as ensuring that it provides a nice environment for relaxation after a long day’s work.

  • Professional Development

Most airlines have a ranking system in place that allows flight attendants to advance from one position to another depending on their duration of service or other criteria specified by the company. With a higher rank, flight attendants can gain access to new sorts of compensation, as well as more desirable flight schedules, destinations, and aircraft types. Flight attendants can also pursue new certification classes to help them transfer to a new role within the industry.

The list of advantages of working as a flight attendant is endless. However, it is crucial to notice that their work performance corresponds to the benefits they receive from time to time.

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