Cabin crew

Career path and progression

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 and sales.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills for working with passengers
• 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
• sensitivity and understanding for dealing with customers’ needs
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• be over 18 years of age
• have a good level of fitness
• pass a medical check
• pass enhanced background checks

You'll also be expected to:

• 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 ask that you're able to swim up to 25 metres.

There are also rules about height and weight, which 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 subjects

Most relevant

• Modern Foreign Languages - Cabin crew work on international flights and interact with passengers from all over the world. Being able to speak a second language is a real advantage, helping them communicate with non-English-speaking passengers, handle emergencies, and provide better customer service on international routes.
• English Language - Cabin crew need excellent spoken and written English to make clear announcements, greet passengers, and handle safety briefings confidently. They also write flight reports and incident details after each flight, so being able to communicate precisely really matters.

Also relevant

• Geography - Cabin crew fly to destinations around the world and benefit from understanding different time zones, climates, and cultures. Knowledge of world geography helps them answer passenger questions and adapt to the varied environments they work in.
• Business - Cabin crew sell duty-free items and food and drinks during flights, and need to handle payments and add up sales totals. Understanding customer service principles and basic sales techniques helps them in this retail side of the role.
• Physical Education - Cabin crew need a good level of physical fitness to work long shifts on their feet, handle heavy equipment, and assist passengers in emergencies. Many airlines also require crew to be able to swim at least 25 metres as part of their safety training.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition - Cabin crew serve meals and need to be aware of dietary requirements, food allergies, and safe food handling practices. Understanding nutrition helps them respond confidently when passengers have specific dietary needs or health concerns.
• Psychology - Cabin crew deal with anxious passengers, manage conflicts, and need to stay calm under pressure during emergencies. Understanding how people behave in stressful situations helps them reassure passengers and de-escalate difficult moments on board.