What Are the Requirements to Be an Airplane Flight Attendant?
Flight attendants jet around the country and even the world, but they also play a pivotal role in keeping passengers safe and maintaining a smooth flight. Airlines set specific hiring guidelines and standards for their flight attendants to create a pleasant, professional environment on board all of their planes. The requirements vary by airlines so check with your preferred airline to ensure you meet its guidelines.
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Education
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The minimum requirement for a flight attendant's education in a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. Some airlines may require some college. Even if college isn't a requirement, some post-secondary education gives you an advantage in the hiring process. A college major that focuses on dealing with the public, such as communications or hospitality, is even more appealing to hiring airlines. Actual work experience that involves customer service or other forms of working with the public also helps your flight attendant application. If you want to work as an international flight attendant, take courses in foreign languages to increase your chances of securing a position.
Physical Requirements
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Unlike most jobs, airlines are able to set physical requirements for flight attendants. A physical exam is often required to ensure you are in good health and able to handle the physical demands of the job. The minimum age requirement is set by each airline and typically ranges between 18 and 21 or older. The minimum height requirement is put into place to ensure flight attendants are able to reach items in the overhead bins. While a specific weight minimum is not usually specified, airlines can require that your height and weight are in proportion. Because flight attendants are in front of clients all the time, a clean, professional experience is also essential.
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Training
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Before you are able to work as a flight attendant, a training period is required. The hiring airline provides the training, which may last up to six weeks. Successful completion of the training session is required to become an employee of the airline. The training session covers safety, flight regulations, procedures, company policies and customer service. The training period typically includes actual flights to allow students to apply the principles learned in a real-world setting.
Licensing
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After the training session, a flight attendant candidate much receive a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA along with the Transportation Security Administration designates specific safety skills and procedures that flight attendants must know to earn the necessary licensing. The certification applies to specific aircraft types, all of which should be covered in the training whether or not that specific airline flies those types of aircraft. Because of the certification in different aircraft types, flight attendants are able to easily work for different airlines who may fly different types of planes.
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References
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