What Does a Flight Attendant Do?
Find out what a flight attendant does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a flight attendant.
Flight attendants are responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers on commercial flights. They provide a wide range of services, including assisting with boarding and deplaning, providing information about flight schedules and destinations, serving food and beverages, and ensuring that all safety procedures are followed.
Flight attendants must be able to multitask effectively in stressful situations while maintaining a calm demeanor at all times. They also need strong communication skills to interact with passengers in a courteous and professional manner.
Flight Attendant Job Duties
Flight attendants have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Observing passengers to ensure that they follow safety procedures
- Making announcements about safety procedures or other related topics such as weather conditions or delays in flight time
- Providing non-medical first aid care to passengers who may be sick or injured
- Reporting unusual activities, security threats, and any other concerns to the appropriate authorities
- Providing assistance to passengers with disabilities or special needs
- Handling customer complaints or questions about the airline’s policies or services
- Serving food and beverages to passengers during their flight
- Helping passengers with their bags and stowing them in overhead bins or under seats
- Delivering safety instructions before takeoff and after landing to ensure that passengers are aware of all precautions they need to take in case of an emergency
Flight Attendant Salary & Outlook
Flight attendants’ salaries vary depending on their level of experience, the company size and geographic location.
- Median Annual Salary: $62,500 ($30.05/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $102,000 ($49.04/hour)
The employment of flight attendants is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.
As demand for air travel increases, airlines will need more flight attendants to serve passengers on increasingly larger aircraft. In addition, airlines will need to hire more flight attendants to accommodate growing numbers of passengers.
Related: 25 Flight Attendant Interview Questions and Answers
Flight Attendant Job Requirements
Flight attendants typically need to have the following qualifications:
Education: Flight attendants are typically required to have a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). Some airlines may require a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, aviation or another related field.
Training & Experience: Flight attendants receive most of their training on the job. They may spend a few weeks to a month shadowing other flight attendants before performing their own duties. They may also receive additional training to work on a specific airline’s aircraft.
Certifications & Licenses: Depending on the airline for which you apply, you may need to obtain aviation certifications before starting work as an flight attendant.
Flight Attendant Skills
Flight attendants need the following skills in order to be successful:
Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through verbal or nonverbal means. Flight attendants use communication skills to interact with passengers, other crew members and management. They also use communication skills to relay information about safety procedures, flight changes and other important information.
Customer service: Customer service is a necessary skill for flight attendants, as they interact with passengers on a daily basis. They must be able to answer questions, provide directions and resolve issues. Flight attendants must also be able to handle difficult situations with calmness and tact.
Multitasking: Flight attendants often need to multitask, as they often have many responsibilities throughout their workday. They may need to check in passengers, prepare food, clean cabins and handle customer service issues. Being able to multitask can help you complete your tasks in a timely manner.
Flexibility: Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As an airline flight attendant, you may be required to work different shifts, days and times than you normally would. You may also be required to work on holidays or weekends. Being flexible can help you adapt to these changes and continue to perform your job well.
Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Flight attendants use empathy to help passengers feel comfortable and safe during their flight. They also use empathy to help passengers who are nervous about flying or who are experiencing an emergency situation.
Flight Attendant Work Environment
Flight attendants have one of the most demanding and stressful jobs in the airline industry. They are responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers during flights, which can last anywhere from a few hours to more than 12 hours. They must be able to work long hours, often with little or no rest, and be able to deal with the constant stress of being on call. Flight attendants also have to deal with the challenges of working in close quarters with other people, including other flight attendants, pilots, and passengers. They must be able to work well under pressure and be able to handle the physical and emotional demands of the job.
Flight Attendant Trends
Here are three trends influencing how flight attendants work. Flight attendants will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
More Focus on Customer Experience
As the airline industry becomes more competitive, airlines are placing a greater emphasis on customer experience. This means that flight attendants will need to be able to provide excellent service and create a positive atmosphere for passengers.
Flight attendants can utilize this trend by focusing on providing excellent customer service and creating a positive atmosphere for passengers. They can also work to improve the overall customer experience by suggesting new features or amenities that would make flying more enjoyable.
The Growth of Remote Work
The growth of remote work is a trend that is quickly changing the way we think about work. As technology advances, more and more people are able to work from home, which allows them to save time and money on things like transportation and office space.
This trend is having a major impact on the aviation industry, as more and more airlines are looking for flight attendants who are comfortable working remotely. As a result, flight attendants will need to be able to manage their time effectively and be able to work independently.
More International Travel
As globalization continues to expand, so too does the demand for international travel. This means that flight attendants will need to be prepared to deal with a variety of cultural differences and customs.
In order to be successful in this environment, flight attendants will need to be able to understand different cultures and be able to communicate effectively with customers. They will also need to be familiar with the laws and regulations of different countries.
How to Become a Flight Attendant
Flight attendants have a unique career path. They start as cabin crew members and work their way up the ranks to become flight managers or even airline executives. Along the way, they gain experience in many different areas of the aviation industry, including customer service, safety, and operations.
To be successful in this career, you need to be able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and be able to deal with difficult situations calmly and effectively. You should also be comfortable working with people from all walks of life.
Advancement Prospects
Flight attendants may be promoted to lead flight attendant or other supervisory positions, or they may move into management-level positions in customer relations or airport operations. Some flight attendants leave the occupation to pursue other interests, such as becoming a travel agent, a reservationist, or a customer service representative for an airline. Others become flight instructors, corporate pilots, or commercial pilots.
Flight Attendant Job Description Example
We’re looking for a customer service professional with a passion for people and a strong work ethic to join our team as a flight attendant. As a flight attendant, you will be responsible for the safety and comfort of our passengers during flights. You will also be responsible for providing excellent customer service, including serving food and drinks, answering questions, and resolving any customer complaints. The ideal candidate will have a friendly and outgoing personality, as well as the ability to remain calm and efficient in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Greet passengers as they board the aircraft and ensure that all safety procedures are followed
- Assist passengers with any questions or concerns they may have during the flight
- Prepare the cabin for takeoff and landing, and ensure that all passengers are seated and buckled up properly
- Serve food and drinks to passengers throughout the flight, and collect any trash or debris
- Perform regular walkthroughs of the cabin to ensure that everything is in order and that all passengers are comfortable
- Assist passengers in the event of an emergency, and provide first aid if necessary
- Answer passenger questions about the destination, the flight, and other general inquiries
- Direct passengers to their seats and help them store their carry-on luggage
- Perform safety demonstrations before takeoff and landing
- Keep the cabin clean and tidy at all times
- Help passengers disembark the aircraft once the flight has landed
- Answer any final questions passengers may have
Required Skills and Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid passport
- Ability to pass a background check
- Excellent communication, customer service, and time-management skills
- Ability to remain calm in emergency situations
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- Associate’s degree or higher
- Fluency in more than one language
- Previous experience in customer service
- First-aid certification
- CPR/BLS certification