A job that takes you across the globe while supporting, caring for, and ensuring the safety of passengers on board aircraft. Does that inspire you? As a Flight steward or Cabin Crew, traveling becomes more than your part of the job, it becomes your lifestyle. The most surprising thing is that you don’t need higher education in this field to become one. You just need to complete your secondary education with any stream. The most important criterion in this industry is your personal appearance.
The cabin crew of a commercial airline share responsibility for the safety and comfort of its passengers. Duties include:
- greeting passengers as they board and exit the plane
- showing passengers to their seats and providing special attention to certain passengers, such as the elderly or disabled
- serving meals and refreshments
- checking the condition and provision of emergency equipment and information for passengers
- demonstrating emergency equipment and safety procedures
- administering first aid
- dealing with emergencies
- supplying passengers with newspapers, magazines, and in-flight entertainment
- selling duty-free commercial goods and pursuing sales targets
- producing written flight reports after completing a journey.
The role can be physically and emotionally demanding and there is a high degree of responsibility involved. Cabin crew are expected to deal with all passengers diplomatically – even when feeling the effects of traveling through time zones and spending extended periods of time on their feet. Working hours may involve long shifts and unsociable hours, and it may be necessary to work during public holidays. However, many cabin crew members enjoy the chance to interact with a wide range of people, and the opportunities to explore and enjoy global destinations are almost unparalleled.
Skills Required
- Good communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- The ability to remain calm in emergencies or when dealing with difficult passengers
- Diplomacy and tact
- Good colour vision and hearing
- Good general health and fitness – many airlines require cabin staff to be able to swim at least 25m
- Assertiveness
- The ability to keep a cheery countenance when you’ve been on your feet a long time and you’re out of your time zone.
Qualification and Training
A degree is not usually required to work as an airline cabin crew. However, a degree in travel, tourism, hospitality management, leisure, or languages may be helpful. A nursing degree could also be relevant.
Interpersonal skills and good health and fitness are normally more important than academic qualifications.
Work experience with the public in a customer service role will help you to show that you have the necessary skills. Experience gained within nursing, catering, or the hotel, tourism, or travel trades is likely to be an advantage.
Most airlines conduct their own training covering such things as safety procedures, legal/immigration issues, and other job skills. So it is not required to undergo preliminary training courses that are offered by many recruiting or training agencies. Many people do fall into the trap of such fake institutes which promise to make you a cabin crew. However, these are completely false promises. Almost all airlines select candidates based on resumes uploaded on their website followed by an interview.
With experience, you could progress to a senior cabin crew or cabin management role, or specialise in working with wealthy clients on private aircraft. You may also be able to develop your career by moving into a ground-based role in an area such as marketing, sales, HR, passenger services, or cabin crew training.
In this article we will meet one of the cabin crew who will share her experience and views. Presenting Nitu Lama.
- Nitu, tell us about your educational background and work experience.
My name is Nitu Lama & I am from Darjeeling where people offer ☕️ tea first then ask for any other beverage! 😂 My dad is in BSF so, I had chances to travel and explore few states of India. I completed my higher secondary from Kendriya Vidyalaya and completed my graduation and masters from Rajasthan University. I started my career with Hyatt hotels reservation and after that, I joined Jet Airways as a cabin crew. I was able to move from a 9-5 desk job to meet my thirst for travel.
- What motivated you to work in aviation industry and join as a cabin crew?
My dream destination was London, and this attracted me to this industry. Since childhood, I loved traveling and exploring new places so it’s been 6yrs in this Industry, and today also when I don uniform my heart misses a beat and it says let’s go to make someone’s day special. 🙂
- What are the minimum age, height and educational qualification requirement to become cabin crew?
The minimum age requirement in India for cabin crew is 18yrs however most International airlines’ minimum age requirement is 21yrs. Airlines often have physical requirements due to space restrictions within the galley; these may include minimum/maximum height requirements and proportionate bodyweight. These requirements are available on the individual airline websites. But the most important is that you should look smart in an airline uniform.
- Could you please elaborate on the initial training and subsequent annual training that you have to undergo?
During initial training, there are various modules/courses related to the job that we have to undergo and pass successfully. This includes basics of grooming, Aviation security, First aid, Operation of aircraft safety equipment, Emergency procedures and Onboard passenger service i.e. basics of hospitality. The training may last as long as 4 to 5 months and post that you are cleared to operate initially under the supervision and then subsequently as part of a team. Regular refresher training is mandatory in all airlines as per the guidelines of the Regulator. This means a continuous process of learning, grooming, and evaluation continues as long as you are flying as cabin crew.
- What are the important skills a person should have if one aspires to become cabin crew?
As a cabin crew, you must be calm and composed. In addition, you need to be a good listener, keen observer, and compassionate. If you have these few qualities then trust me 90% of your work is done. I mean you won’t feel that you are working you will feel as aircraft is your second home and you will start missing that aircraft and crew if you don’t fly few days.
If you love traveling, exploring new places and meeting new people then this is the best job for you.
If you are compassionate about others then you must become a cabin crew because this job will give you an opportunity to take care of passengers on board. You will have responsibility for the safety and comfort of each and every passenger on board.
- Tell us about a day in life of a cabin crew to help our readers understand the demanding and professional nature of the job?
I agree our schedules are not fixed we don’t get weekends as off and yes we do wake up at odd hours and this can affect our health however you need to prioritize your health and rest period before anything. A little monitoring of diet and regular exercise will keep you flying. Fortunately or unfortunately, the day is only as long as 24 hrs. We have to arrive 2 hrs before the flight departure as we have to prepare the cabin and attend the briefing. We help passengers find their seats and once in the air, the service commences. Sometimes it is hard to find time for a quick bite or a power nap while onboard the aircraft. On completion of flights, we prepare sales sheet and flight debrief. Generally duty period is 10-11 hrs. So long but it really finishes in no time.
- It is very glamourous and highly paid job and it is dream of many youngsters to be a cabin crew. What advice would you like to give to a youngster who want to be one of them?
Yes, this is a glamorous job where we learn how to look presentable however I would like to inform all the youngsters that inner beauty matters. If you have a beautiful soul and carry a smile for everyone even when you are upset, then this is the place where you should be. If you are a person who thinks about others before self then you must become a cabin crew and create that wow moment for kids, families, couples, and many more.
- What would you say to aspiring cabin crew?
Go for it – it truly is the best job in the world! It certainly has its perks and benefits that no other job can offer. It does mean time away from home, which isn’t for everyone – so if this is something you can manage and you want to see the world, then you’ve got nothing to lose!
For most people the sky is the limit. For flight attendants the sky is home.
Many thanks, Nitu for such motivating and persuasive insight. Presently due to COVID, it may be difficult to find a job however as the travel restrictions are eased, airlines will soon start hiring. In my opinion, keep the job application ready. Soon it will be time to meet your dreams in the sky. All the best.
