5 answers
Dorra
Student
Tunis, Tunisia
1
Question
Updated
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How can I prepare myself to become a flight attendant in the future?
I am an 18-year-old high school student. I dream of becoming a flight attendant. I am improving my English and taking online courses. What skills and experiences should I focus on now to prepare for this career?
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5 answers
Prem Sagar Jacob
IT Professional
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Prem Sagar’s Answer
To become a flight attendant, focus on improving your customer service skills, keep a neat and professional appearance, and practice clear communication. Getting certified in CPR/First Aid and learning a foreign language can give you an edge with major airlines.
Airlines prefer candidates with experience in hospitality and problem-solving.
Customer Service Experience: Gain skills by working in hotel management, tourism, or high-end retail.
Volunteering: Take part in community service or public-facing roles to show your ability to assist and manage people.
Age & Education: You should be between 18 to 21 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor's degree in fields like aviation, hospitality, or languages is a plus.
Physical Standards: You need to meet height requirements, typically between 5'2" and 6'3", to reach emergency equipment and overhead bins, and you should be able to swim.
Appearance: Keep a clean and professional look, avoiding visible tattoos or piercings when in uniform.
Language Skills: Fluency in English is essential. Learning a second language like Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, or French can make you more attractive to international airlines.
Airlines prefer candidates with experience in hospitality and problem-solving.
Customer Service Experience: Gain skills by working in hotel management, tourism, or high-end retail.
Volunteering: Take part in community service or public-facing roles to show your ability to assist and manage people.
Age & Education: You should be between 18 to 21 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor's degree in fields like aviation, hospitality, or languages is a plus.
Physical Standards: You need to meet height requirements, typically between 5'2" and 6'3", to reach emergency equipment and overhead bins, and you should be able to swim.
Appearance: Keep a clean and professional look, avoiding visible tattoos or piercings when in uniform.
Language Skills: Fluency in English is essential. Learning a second language like Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, or French can make you more attractive to international airlines.
Your advice was so helpful!
Dorra
Meriem Zine El Abidine
Sales trainer
1
Answer
Casablanca, Grand Casablanca, Morocco
Updated
Meriem’s Answer
Improve languages first — English is essential, French is a big advantage, and Arabic helps. The stronger your communication, the better your chances.
Focus on presentation and professionalism — airlines look for people who are calm, polite, well-groomed, and confident with customers.
Build customer service experience — even work in retail, hospitality, reception, or tourism can help a lot.
Learn about airline requirements — each airline has rules on age, education, height/reach, swimming ability, medical fitness, and visible tattoos.
Be ready to move/travel — many airlines recruit internationally, especially in the Gulf and Europe.
Stay physically and mentally fit — the job is demanding long hours, jet lag, difficult passengers, safety responsibility.
Don’t pay random agencies too quickly — some training centers and recruiters overpromise. Apply through official airline career websites whenever possible.
Practice interviews — airlines hire for attitude: safety mindset, teamwork, empathy, and composure under pressure.
Have a backup plan — tourism, hospitality, languages, or business studies can support the same career path.
Focus on presentation and professionalism — airlines look for people who are calm, polite, well-groomed, and confident with customers.
Build customer service experience — even work in retail, hospitality, reception, or tourism can help a lot.
Learn about airline requirements — each airline has rules on age, education, height/reach, swimming ability, medical fitness, and visible tattoos.
Be ready to move/travel — many airlines recruit internationally, especially in the Gulf and Europe.
Stay physically and mentally fit — the job is demanding long hours, jet lag, difficult passengers, safety responsibility.
Don’t pay random agencies too quickly — some training centers and recruiters overpromise. Apply through official airline career websites whenever possible.
Practice interviews — airlines hire for attitude: safety mindset, teamwork, empathy, and composure under pressure.
Have a backup plan — tourism, hospitality, languages, or business studies can support the same career path.
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs, FAA Part 121
108
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Dora, Prem answered most of the requirements.
What I would suggest you do is just go online and enter something like the following example: "alaska airlines flight attendant requirements." Just substitute "Alaska Airlines" for the airline you want to apply to.
Some of the airlines require you to be age 21 at a minimum.
You should also be comfortable in the water as most airlines fly overwater.
Experience in customer service is a "big" plus to get you noticed.
For international airlines proficiency in a second language is also a plus.
Also if one airline turns you down, don't get discouraged, there was a friend of mine, who applied to Horizon Air, got turned down, then applied to Alaska Airlines and was hired. At that time Horizon Air was a commuter airline owned by Alaska Airlines.
Good luck on your journey.
Wayne
What I would suggest you do is just go online and enter something like the following example: "alaska airlines flight attendant requirements." Just substitute "Alaska Airlines" for the airline you want to apply to.
Some of the airlines require you to be age 21 at a minimum.
You should also be comfortable in the water as most airlines fly overwater.
Experience in customer service is a "big" plus to get you noticed.
For international airlines proficiency in a second language is also a plus.
Also if one airline turns you down, don't get discouraged, there was a friend of mine, who applied to Horizon Air, got turned down, then applied to Alaska Airlines and was hired. At that time Horizon Air was a commuter airline owned by Alaska Airlines.
Good luck on your journey.
Wayne
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Dorra
Keith Cox
senior savings plan coordinator
4
Answers
White Plains, New York
Updated
Keith’s Answer
That's so wonderful that you know what you want to do at that age .good for you! I'm sure you know that being a " people person "and being able to deal with all types of personalities would be a plus. If you're not doing it already I would consider to do some community volunteer work so you get to meet different personalities and learn how to interact with them. Good luck then I'm rooting for you to get a job and the one that you love!
Gissel Yanez
Finance
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Gissel’s Answer
I would recommend you start learning emergency skills and get involved in a volunteer or entry-level role. This will help you practice problem-solving and interacting with people of all ages and personalities. While flight attendants do help make flights comfortable, their main job is to keep passengers safe and secure.
You'll need to be prepared to open heavy emergency doors and help passengers who need assistance in an emergency.
When you're ready to apply, remember that airlines have different requirements, so check that you meet them.
You've got this!
You'll need to be prepared to open heavy emergency doors and help passengers who need assistance in an emergency.
When you're ready to apply, remember that airlines have different requirements, so check that you meet them.
You've got this!