AIR CABIN CREW JOBS PROFILE
Skills and Interests:
As a member of an air cabin crew, you should:
- be tactful but assertive, with the ability to deal with difficult situations politely but firmly
- have a clear speaking voice
- enjoy team work
- be calm under pressure and in emergencies
- be confident, friendly and good with people
- be sensitive and reassuring towards people who are anxious or upset
- be able to work quickly and efficiently
- be confident with money, including foreign currency
Entry:You will need a good standard of education, usually to GCSE or the equivalent, but entry requirements vary between airlines, so you should check with them.
Some airlines ask for 4-5 GCSEs at A-C grades, or the equivalent, including Maths and English.
For details of qualification equivalents see:
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Scottish Qualifications Authority
You should be fluent in English. The ability to converse in another modern language is desirable, and is a requirement of some airlines.
Air cabin crew must be physicall fit, with normal colour vision and good eyesight.Height requirements vary between airlines, and weight must be in proportion to height. You will need the ability to swim at least 25 metres. It is essential to be smat and well-groomed, and visible tattoos or body piercings are not usually permitted.
Previous experience in customer service is desirable, and nursing, or hotel and catering experience may be particularly useful.
Minimum age of entry is between 19 and 21. The maximum age varies between airlines, however, many have a compulsory retirement age of 50 or 55.
A valid passport permitting unrestricted world travel is necessary.
There are two main nationally recognised qualifications which enable those who want to work as air cabin crew to develop the skills needed to enter employment. They are the Ed
Excel BTEC Certificate in Preparation for Air Cabin Crew Service and the EMTA Awards Ltd (EAL) Certificate in Air Cabin Crewing.
