Air cabin crew
Ready for your career to take off? Be that friendly face who makes sure everyone feels comfortable and safe while on a plane.
Also known as: flight attendant
About the job
What it's like
Imagine having a job where you get to travel the world and meet new people every day! That’s what it’s like to be air cabin crew.
You’ll be the face of the airline – responsible for welcoming people on board and making sure passengers are safe, secure and comfortable throughout the flight.
You’ll provide exceptional customer service. Air cabin crew use interpersonal skills, adopt a proactive approach and are able to stay calm under pressure.
If you bring a positive attitude to everything you do and want to take your career to new heights, this might be the role for you!
Your tasks might include:
checking onboard supplies and that emergency equipment is working
greeting passengers, helping them board and making announcements on behalf of the pilot
showing emergency procedures to passengers and checking their seatbelts
serving food and drinks, selling duty-free items, taking payments and recording sales
calming nervous or sick passengers and giving first aid
making sure passengers leave the plane safely
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Air cabin crew'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
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Airline customer service agent -
Airport information assistant
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Tourism and hospitality
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- reliable
- attention to detail
- empathising
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Cantonese
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English and Communication
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French
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Gaelic (Learners)
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Gàidhlig
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Geography
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German
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Italian
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Mandarin
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Skills for Work: Hospitality
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Spanish
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Skills for Work: Travel and Tourism
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Urdu
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Modern Languages
Work
Airlines will provide training, so there are no formal qualifications required. Some employers will ask for qualifications at SCQF Level 4/5, such as Maths and English at National 4 and 5.
Entry is highly competitive.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you get a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Travel and Tourism
Languages
While college isn't a requirement, it can give you some great skills and knowledge to make you a stronger candidate. You'll understand more about customer service and how the travel industry works!
Qualifications and experience that show you can help customers, have an awareness of health and safety and are physical fitness, such as:
Skills for Work: Travel and Tourism
Uniformed and Emergency Services
Communication and language qualifications such as SQA Modern Languages for Life & Work Award (SCQF Level 3/4).
Being able to speak another language can give you an advantage over other candidates.
Work-based qualifications in areas such as customer services (SVQ Level 2/3) or that include health, safety and hygiene.
National Qualification or National Certificate (SCQF Levels 2 to 6) introduction to cabin crew or international travel and airport operations course.
Various other self-funded industry preparation courses but these do not guarantee entry to the job. Competition is very fierce.
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become an air cabin crew member. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You'll need:
a good level of fitness and colour normal vision
a smart appearance
no visible tattoos or piercings
to be over 18 years old, although some airlines set the minimum entry age at 21
a valid passport with no restrictions for the countries to which the airline travel
membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland
There are also rules around height and weight, although this will vary between airlines, so check with them. As a general guide, many look for people between 5ft2in (157cm) and 6ft2in (188cm).
Many airlines look for you to have the ability to swim up to 25 metres, and support someone else.
You'll need to undergo a medical as part of the recruitment process.
Previous experience of working with people in a customer service role is often desirable. Some airlines ask for a minimum requirement of six months to two years of customer service experience
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Air cabin crew'
