How to Get a Job as a Flight Attendant or Stewardess

Flight attendants make plane trips more comfortable.

Flight attendants are also referred to as airline stewardesses. Most flight attendants are women who are responsible to keep travelers as safe and comfortable as possible during a flight. This can include answering questions, giving instructions, passing out food and drinks or handing out magazines. Obtaining a flight attendant job is more difficult than it used to be, as the field has become quite competitive.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma or GED
• Communications degree
• Flight training certificate

Instructions

1. Obtain your high school diploma, or pass your GED exam. You cannot become a flight attendant without meeting this minimum requirement.

2. Enroll in college to get a degree in communications. This is not required in order to become a stewardess, but it will put you above the other candidates and give you a better chance of landing the job.

3. Gain at least two years of experience in customer service. You can do this while in high school or college by working part-time after school and on weekends.

4. Meet the airline's minimum height, weight and age requirements. For example, Northwest Airlines will not accept any flight attendants who are not 21 years of age and at least 5 feet, 3 inches tall.

5. Submit to drug testing, background checks, fingerprinting and the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) 10-year work history review.

6. Attend flight training school to obtain your flight training certificate. This is not required until after you are hired by an airline. Once you finish your training, you can begin working on a plane.

Tips & Warnings

• Speaking two languages will also put you ahead of other candidates.

• Flight attendants are required to work weekends, nights, holidays and long hours. In addition, you may have to stay in a hotel overnight in between flights that are away from the home base.

References

• Diploma Guide: Airline Stewardess Career Overview
• How to Become a Flight Attendant: What Happens in Airline Stewardess Jobs

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Flight Attendant Training: Flight Attendant School