Are There Specific Weight Requirements?
The question of whether a specific weight is required for a flight attendant position is complex, but major airlines generally do not impose specific weight charts or Body Mass Index (BMI) requirements for employment. The industry has shifted away from arbitrary appearance standards toward an emphasis on functional capability and safety regulations. The focus is on the applicant’s ability to perform the duties of the job efficiently, recognizing that physical capability is not determined by a single weight figure.
Airlines in the United States and many international carriers have largely abandoned the rigid weight standards of the past. This change occurred primarily due to anti-discrimination regulations that challenged policies based purely on appearance. While some international carriers, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, still reference BMI ranges, the trend among major carriers subject to Western employment laws is to focus on a “proportional to height” standard. This standard is assessed only in the context of physical health screenings to ensure the candidate can meet the physical demands of the job.
Focusing on Functional Fitness and Mobility
The physical requirements that now matter most are those directly related to safety and emergency procedures. Flight attendants must demonstrate the strength and mobility necessary to manage the aircraft cabin under duress. This includes the ability to push beverage and service carts, which can weigh hundreds of pounds when fully loaded. The role also requires the physical capacity to assist passengers with mobility issues and to lift emergency equipment.
Candidates must be able to open aircraft doors and emergency exit windows. They also need the stamina to remain on their feet for extended periods, maneuvering quickly through aisles and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a medical emergency occurs. Physical capability and endurance are the core factors assessed during training and mandatory medical screenings.
Height and Reach Requirements
While weight is no longer a specific metric, height and reach remain mandatory requirements tied directly to safety. Most airlines require candidates to pass a vertical reach test to ensure they can access safety equipment stored in overhead compartments. This equipment includes items like fire extinguishers, oxygen bottles, and life vests that must be retrieved quickly during an emergency.
Typical required minimum vertical reach measurements often fall in the range of 82 to 84 inches (around 208 to 213 centimeters), though some airlines may require more or less. Applicants are usually allowed to stand on their tiptoes for this measurement, which is assessed during the interview process. The ability to reach the necessary height ensures that a flight attendant can properly secure overhead bins and reach safety controls on the aircraft, making it a functional requirement.
Practical Size Constraints: Jump Seats and Aisle Width
The most significant functional limit on size involves the specific dimensions of the aircraft cabin, particularly the jump seats and aisle width. Flight attendants are required to sit in designated jump seats during taxi, takeoff, and landing, and they must be able to fasten the attached harness securely. The harness must fit flush across the body, and the flight attendant must sit squarely against the backrest to be properly restrained in the event of sudden turbulence or an emergency.
If an applicant’s size prevents them from being properly secured in the jump seat, it creates a safety risk that may disqualify them from employment. The ability to maneuver quickly and without impediment through the narrow aircraft aisles is also a requirement for service and emergency evacuation procedures. A flight attendant must be able to move rapidly past service carts and passengers to reach an emergency exit or respond to a cabin event.
Historical Context of Weight Restrictions
The reason the question about weight requirements is so common stems from the industry’s historical practices, particularly during the mid-20th century. Airlines enforced strict, appearance-based policies that governed the weight, age, and marital status of female cabin crew, who were often referred to as “stewardesses.” These policies mandated regular weigh-ins and imposed rigid limits on weight proportional to height, often resulting in termination for non-compliance.
These policies were designed to cultivate a specific, glamorous brand image for the airlines, prioritizing aesthetics over functional fitness. The restrictions were challenged in the late 1960s and 1970s as discriminatory, leading to legal battles that eventually deemed such appearance-based policies obsolete and illegal under modern employment standards.
Legal Protections Against Size Discrimination
The legal landscape in the United States offers some protection against size discrimination, though not through a single federal law. Federal employment laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, do not list weight or height as a protected class. However, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may offer protection for individuals whose weight is considered a physiological impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. This coverage typically applies only to cases of severe obesity that qualify as a disability.
State and local laws provide more explicit protection. Michigan is the only state that has a law explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on weight. Washington state’s Supreme Court has ruled that obesity can be considered an impairment under its anti-discrimination law. Additionally, certain cities and localities, including New York City and Washington, D.C., have passed local ordinances that specifically ban discrimination based on a person’s weight or height, providing a patchwork of legal safeguards.