Cabin Crew FAQ

Yes — you can become cabin crew without any prior customer service experience.

Most airlines recruit candidates without a customer service background and provide full training after hiring. You will learn everything you need: passenger care, safety procedures and onboard duties.

The cabin crew role is above all a customer-facing job in aviation; many airlines prefer candidates without experience so they can train them to their own standards.

What matters most is your attitude, people skills and ability to work with others — not your last job.

The role (flight attendant / steward) involves daily contact with passengers, from boarding through comfort and safety for the whole flight.

This career is a great choice if you want to:

1. change career
2. work in a dynamic, non-routine environment
3. travel often
4. work with international teams

With strong global demand for cabin crew, airlines are actively hiring — including candidates starting from zero.

Height and physical requirements for cabin crew (flight attendant / steward) vary by airline, but there are broad principles most candidates must meet.

Most airlines do not set one fixed minimum height, but a reach requirement on tiptoes: often around 210 to 212 cm. This ensures you can safely use overhead bins and equipment on board.

In practice this usually corresponds to a height of around 158 cm to 190 cm, for women and men alike.

Common physical requirements include:

1. A proportionate figure (BMI in a healthy range)
2. Good general health and fitness
3. Ability to swim (required by most airlines)
4. No visible tattoos or piercings in uniform (depending on airline policy)
5. Good eyesight (glasses or contact lenses usually accepted)

Before starting duties, all candidates must pass a cabin medical (class 2) confirming fitness to fly.

Criteria may vary slightly from one airline to another — for example Emirates, Qatar Airways or Air France — but most candidates who meet the basics have a good chance of being hired.

Cabin crew recruitment generally includes individual and group exercises, especially at the Assessment Centre. They assess your communication, personality and ability to work with others.

Individual tasks may include:

1. Role plays in English (e.g. welcoming passengers as flight attendant / steward)
2. Spoken presentation on a random topic
3. Self-presentation
4. Writing an onboard announcement from a flight situation

These exercises test your confidence, English level and ability to express yourself clearly in real situations.

Group tasks may include:

1. Group discussion from a scenario
2. Team problem solving
3. Pair work (e.g. describing or commenting on a photo)
4. Small-group exercises around a shared goal

These activities show teamwork, leadership and interpersonal skills.

Tip

It is important to prepare for both individual and group exercises. Practise spoken English, structure your answers and aim for clear communication — that significantly increases your chances of success.

For Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus — practise with our individual exercises, group discussions.

No — you do not need perfect English to become cabin crew.

However, a solid operational level (English for flight attendants / stewards) is essential, generally around B2 (upper intermediate). That is enough to communicate clearly with passengers, crew and recruiters.

Why English matters:

1. Cabin crew recruitment is conducted in English
2. Airline training is delivered in English
3. English is the global language of aviation, used by pilots, cabin crew and air traffic controllers

What matters most:

1. Ability to speak with confidence
2. Clear communication (not perfection)
3. Understanding instructions and procedures

How to improve your English:

1. Practise speaking regularly (essential)
2. Watch films and videos in English
3. Take online courses on platforms such as Gymglish, Wall Street English.
4. Prepare frequent cabin crew interview questions

Tip

Focus on useful communication, not flawless grammar. Airlines look for clear, confident candidates — not perfect speakers.

The simplest way to become a flight attendant or steward is to pass an airline cabin crew recruitment process.

The process usually includes an Open Day, an Assessment Centre and a final interview. Successful candidates then receive a job offer.

The most common recruitment path at Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus and Ryanair is:

- Open Day + Assessment Centre + Final Interview

To maximise your chances, prepare seriously for recruitment and check the criteria required by each airline.

Flight attendant or steward pay depends on the airline, country and type of flying.

In France, salary often ranges around €1,800 to €3,000 net per month. In other regions, especially the Middle East, it can be higher.

1. France: around €1,800–3,000 net per month
2. Europe: around €2,000–4,000
3. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways: around €2,500–5,000 + benefits

The package often includes flying pay, accommodation, transport or travel benefits.

To pass flight attendant recruitment you need solid preparation for the Assessment Centre and job interview.

Recruitment often lasts several hours and requires punctuality, excellent presentation and a professional attitude.

Recruiters assess in particular:

1. punctuality and organisation
2. communication and self-confidence
3. behaviour in a group
4. professional presentation

English

Most cabin crew recruitment is conducted in English, especially for Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. It is therefore important to work on spoken English.

Outfit

Formal, polished attire is essential. Airlines expect an elegant, professional image from the first contact.

1. elegant shirt or blouse
2. tailored or formal business outfit
3. knee-length skirt or classic trousers
4. closed, neat shoes
5. neat hairstyle and professional make-up

Good preparation significantly increases your chances of passing cabin crew recruitment.

The easiest way to find flight attendant jobs is to go directly to the Careers or Recruitment section of airline websites.

Cabin crew vacancies are published on official airline sites and change regularly.

1. Emirates Careers
2. Etihad Careers
3. Qatar Airways Careers
4. Air France Careers
5. Transavia Careers
6. Ryanair Careers

You can also visit our Job Offers page to access cabin crew recruitment quickly.

For cabin crew recruitment you need professional photos that meet airline standards, especially those of Emirates.

Airlines often ask for a smiling passport-style photo and a formal full-length photo. At a later stage, more natural photos may also be required.

The most commonly requested photos:

1. passport-style photo with smile
2. formal full-length photo
3. sometimes portrait photo
4. sometimes casual full-length photo

Photos must be sharp, elegant and professional. You will find full detailed guidelines on our dedicated photo session page.

Yes — to become a flight attendant or steward you must be able to swim at least at a basic level.

Most airlines require candidates to be able to float and cover a certain distance in water.

The swimming test usually does not take place during recruitment, but during cabin crew training after hiring.

During training, exercises may include:

1. entering the water
2. putting on a life jacket
3. crossing a pool
4. water evacuation exercises

Swimming is part of safety training, so it is advisable to prepare before you start.

No — higher education is not required to work as a flight attendant or steward.

At many airlines you can start from age 18 if you meet recruitment conditions.

However, further study can be useful for future progression or preparing for a career change after cabin crew.

Useful studies:

1. foreign languages
2. tourism
3. management
4. communication

Foreign language skills can make it easier to join airlines such as Air France, KLM or Lufthansa.

Yes — men can absolutely apply as stewards and today work at all major airlines.

Many men are part of cabin crew teams in Europe, France and Middle East airlines such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.

The role is the same for everyone: safety, passenger assistance, inflight service and handling emergency situations.

Recruitment criteria, requirements and process stages are the same for women and men.