Cabin Crew Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a Cabin Crew. Feel free to use our Cabin Crew job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a Cabin Crew.
Who is a Cabin Crew Member?
Two types of staff work on an airplane: the cabin crew and the flight crew. The first group is those who fly planes. The second group includes those who work in the cabin, also known as the passenger area. The cabin crew can be called flight attendants, stewardesses or stewardesses or air hosts or hostesses.
The cabin crew’s job is to provide excellent customer service. Electronic ticketing and check-in have made it possible for the crew to be the first people a customer meets at an airline. These people play an important role in consumer perceptions and in making sure passengers have a pleasant travel experience.
Upon entering or exiting an aircraft, a cabin crew member will greet the passenger. The cabin crew member will often direct passengers to their seats and ensure that they safely exit the plane. Cabin crew members often serve refreshments and food to passengers once the plane is in flight. This service is often offered multiple times during long flights.
They are available to answer any questions or offer comfort to worried passengers. A flight attendant can usually help passengers with requests, such as changing seats or getting an extra blanket. They can also assist with duty-free merchandise sales.
Many people mistakenly believe that the cabin crew members are only responsible for providing comfort on the plane. Although this is a part of their job, cabin crew members are also trained and responsible to perform other important tasks. These include providing safety for passengers and helping them in emergencies.
Cabin crew members are responsible for making sure passengers are properly secured and seated before the plane takes off. They also have to ensure that all baggage and other items are properly stored and that passageways are clear. They will often inform passengers about what to do in case of an emergency.
The responsibility of maintaining order on the flight is shared by the cabin crew. Flight attendants must deal with passengers who violate safety regulations or are disruptive. They are trained to handle a variety of security and emergencies. It is common for all members of the crew to be familiar with first aid.
The cabin crew consists of flight attendants who follow the orders given by co-pilots and pilots outside the cockpit. They also ensure the safety and comfort of passengers and inform them when needed. The hosts are male flight attendants, while the hostesses are female. The selection of cabin crew follows the specific rules of aviation organizations. They are also subject to the General Directorate of Civil Aviation rules.
Cabin Crew Job Description
Below are the Cabin Crew job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a Cabin Crew job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a Cabin Crew include the following:
- Performing pre-flight duties such as checking safety equipment and security checks.
- Welcoming passengers aboard and guiding them to their seats
- Informing passengers about safety procedures, and making sure that hand luggage is properly stored
- Making sure all galleys and seat belts are secured before you take off
- Making announcements for the pilot and answering questions during the flight
- Serving meals and refreshments
- Selling duty-free products (which could count towards personal commission targets) and informing passengers about any restrictions at their destination.
- Dealing politely with any inebriated or difficult passengers to ensure safety and comfort on the flight
- Providing first aid when necessary
- Making sure passengers get off the plane safely.
- Completing paperwork, including writing a flight log.
- Greeting passengers as they board and leave the plane
- Assisting elderly and disabled passengers by directing them to their seats or giving them special attention.
- Serving meals and refreshments
- Checking the condition of passengers and providing information and emergency equipment
- Demonstrating emergency equipment and safety procedures
- Selling commercial goods duty-free and setting sales goals
- Assisting passengers with special needs.
- Participating in pre-flight briefings about the duties and requirements for upcoming flights.
- Performing pre-flight checks to ensure that galley equipment and in-flight systems are functional.
- Performing duties to maintain cleanliness in the cabin.
- Conducting passenger announcements in flight
- Reporting any passenger behavior that is not acceptable.
- Informing passengers about safety procedures and risks during air turbulence.
- Executing emergency drills following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Assisting and responding to passengers’ questions promptly
- Assisting passengers in boarding and directing them to their seats.
- Notifying passengers about the safety procedures of an aircraft and making sure that hand luggage is properly stored;
- Making announcements for the pilot and answering passengers’ questions during the flight
- Offering refreshments and meals to passengers
Qualifications
For cabin crew members, a degree, HND/foundation, or postgraduate qualification is not necessary. Most airlines require that you have a high school diploma. Some require grade 4 (C or higher) in maths and English.
Employers may not ask for a degree or HND in any of these subjects. However, it can be a sign that the airline is interested in your chosen subject area. This can include:
- Hospitality management
- Languages
- Tourism and leisure management
- Travel
- It is a great advantage to be able to speak other languages.
Vocational qualifications
Vocational qualifications (NVQs or BTECs), are available at various levels in different cabin crew topics. They can be awarded by:
City & Guilds
Pearson
Northern Council for Further Education, (NCFE).
These are also useful in showing your interest and commitment to the region. You can also take one- and two-day taster classes to get a feel for cabin crew work. Other introductory courses are available.
These qualifications and courses will show your passion for the career but they won’t guarantee you a job. While they may give you an advantage over others, most airlines don’t require them to consider you for a job.
However, most airlines have a list of criteria that applicants must meet. Some or all of these criteria are required.
- Minimum age is 18, in certain cases 21
- Good health, fitness, and the ability to swim for 25 meters without assistance
- Minimum height required to reach overhead lockers: This may vary between airlines, but it is usually in proportion with weight. This is commonly measured in the UK as reach, rather than height.
- Good hearing and vision are essential, but glasses and contact lenses can be used.
- Valid passport allows for unrestricted travel around the world
- A completed Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).
Essential Skills
These are the skills that you will need if you’re interested in working as a cabin crew member on an airline.
- Amiability
One of the most important responsibilities of the airline cabin crew is to ensure that passengers feel comfortable and relaxed while on board. Passengers will be more comfortable if you are friendly. This will make you more approachable and allow passengers to ask questions or tell you about their needs.
- Assertiveness
When necessary, assertiveness refers to the ability to control a situation. Your assertiveness can be used to manage difficult situations and ensure that all passengers comply with airline standards of conduct. Affirmativeness, when used properly, can help passengers feel safer by showing leadership and concern about others’ well-being.
- Communication
You must have excellent communication skills if you want to be able to communicate effectively with other cabin crew members. You must be able to communicate with your fellow cabin crew members and passengers clearly and concisely. You can also communicate well and give clear, understandable responses to passengers’ concerns and questions.
- Customer service
Customer service is about greeting customers and trying to satisfy their needs. As a cabin crew member, you may be asked questions by passengers, provide safety instructions, and serve refreshments. This will not only make the experience pleasant for passengers but will also help to project a positive image of the airline.
- Flexibility
Unexpected situations can arise while working as a cabin crew member on an airline flight. Changes in weather conditions could cause changes to plans. This can include delays or altering flight paths. Sometimes you might work with a different crew on each flight. Or, you may have to step in for a sick crew member. Flexibility in all situations can make it easier for passengers and cabin crew to work together.
- Teamwork
To accomplish everything during a flight, a cabin crew member must work as a group. Your coworkers should expect you to be able to perform your job well, communicate effectively, and provide assistance when needed. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly and increase the passenger’s enjoyment.
- Time management
It is important to arrive on time as a cabin crew member so that you can attend preflight briefings, and that the aircraft departs according to plan. Your ability to manage your time is also important for other aspects of your job, such as the delivery of meals or preparing the aircraft for landing.
How to Become a Cabin Crew Member
Here are the steps to becoming a cabin crew member of an airline.
- Find out more about the career
You can solidify your career by researching the work hours, conditions, and qualifications of a career in a cabin crew. You may be eligible for health care, discounted or free air travel, and discounts on accommodation.
There are certain requirements that airlines have for cabin crew, including height and good vision. The height requirements for cabin crew vary from airline to airline, but they generally require that you can reach overhead bins on airplanes without falling and be able to stand upright in the airplane. You can work as a flight attendant by lifting and organizing luggage.
- Gain customer service experience
Experience in customer service is required for a cabin crew job at an airline. You can gain transferable skills by working in customer service. These are some customer service skills that cabin crew members can use:
Communication: Customers who have had experience in customer service can teach you communication skills that can be used to communicate with them.
Leadership: Customer service jobs can help you to develop leadership skills that can be used in cabin crew positions.
Calmness: You will need to be calm in emergencies and multitask to perform your duties as a cabin crew member. You can gain customer service experience that will help you work under pressure.
Teamwork: Customer service jobs allow you to collaborate with others. This experience can be used when you work with cabin crew members.
- Attend flight attendant school
You can also attend flight attendant school to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to be a cabin crew member. The flight attendant program usually lasts for three months.
- Fulfill your job requirements
You can then ensure you meet the requirements to be a cabin crew member of an airline. These are the basic requirements for cabin crew members:
Education: To fulfill the basic education requirements for a cabin crew member, you can get a high school diploma.
Age: Some airlines employ cabin crew members as young 18-year-olds, while others require that cabin crew be at least 21 years old.
Physical requirements: The cabin crew may need to meet certain physical requirements, such as height, weight, and strength.
Background checks: Airlines may require that cabin crew members undergo background screening to verify their identity, criminal record, and education confirmation.
Travel documentation: Cabin crew members may obtain identification and other documentation such as passports to fly on planes.
- Get application photos
You may need to submit photos when applying for cabin crew member jobs. Usually, a headshot and full-length photograph are required.
- Create a resume
After you have completed the requirements for cabin crew and gained customer service experience, it is possible to create a resume for flight crew positions.
- Apply for cabin crew positions
You can submit your resume to cabin crew positions if you have followed these steps. Search for available positions on aviation-related job boards and airline websites.
Cabin crew members may need to take a personality test, interview potential employers, and apply for cabin crew positions. Screenings for cabin crew positions can be done based on role-playing, group discussions, and other applicants. The employment event can be followed by another round of interviews.
Before you can start working as a cabin crew member, you will need to complete training in safety, customer service, and corporate policies. Through airline training programs, you can also get government certifications.
Where to Work
Permanent contracts are very rare, and there is intense competition for them. It may take many years of seasonal work to qualify for one.
Corporate jet companies often hire cabin crew to serve as VIP flight attendants for their clients. This job may also be advertised as a VIP cabin crew or corporate cabin attendant.
Cabin Crew Salary Scale
In the United States, the average cabin crew member’s salary is $32,394 annually.
