Knowing the flight attendant job requirements is essential to have a career as a flight attendant.
You can become a flight attendant even if you have no experience, but you must meet the minimum flight attendant qualifications for the flight attendant position to be considered.
This post will define the 12 flight attendant requirements you need to get hired as a flight attendant. Plus, I added the big three major airlines’ exact requirements to this list.
Knowing what to expect as a flight attendant applicant will enable you to start the application process confidently.
Also, if you don’t meet one requirement when applying to an airline, it’s an instant rejection.
Why Are Flight Attendant Requirements Important?
- – Flight attendants are the face of the airline and are some of the only forward-facing employees’ customers will ever see.
- – Airlines want top-notch flight attendants representing the brand.
- – Being a flight attendant is an intense job, and airlines want flight attendants who can perform their job duties without restriction.
Fundamental Factors Of The Flight Attendant Job Description
- – Flight attendants respond to a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations.
Flight Attendant Weight Requirements
You will see a lot of flight attendants that are in great shape. It’s a physical job, but not all flight attendants must be slim and trim.
You do, however, have to fit into the flight attendant jumpseat.
Flight attendants have no set weight requirements, as body types can vary even if two people are the same height and weight.
It’s impossible to give a size or weight for the jumpseat because some harnesses are smaller than others, and people carry weight differently.
The jumpseat harness goes over the shoulders and also has a lap belt. So it can be a four-point harness or simply adjustable shoulders straps and a lap belt.
Don’t think you’ll fit in the jumpseat? Apply anyway, don’t count yourself out because you may easily fit into the seat.
Another thing you can measure with a weight requirement? You do have to fit in the airlines largest uniform. Sizes can vary, but women’s flight attendant uniform sizes can go up to anywhere from size 20-32. Each airline uniform sizes do vary.
Flight Attendant Age Requirements
At some airlines, the minimum age requirement to be a flight attendant is 18, but for most, it’s 20-21.
As a flight attendant, age is just a number. You can be too young to be a flight attendant but not too old if you are in good shape and can work long hours and do some heavy lifting.
How Old Is Too Old To Become A Flight Attendant?
As long as you are in good shape, you will never be too old to be a flight attendant.
Airlines hire flight attendants in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60+ years of age.
Many flight attendants start after retirement as a second career. However, there are flight attendants of all ages, so don’t let your age stand in your way if you want to be a flight attendant.
You might also like The Best Flight Attendant Age Limit Advice You Ever Heard.
Airlines That Hire At 18
Flight Attendant Height Requirements
Each airline will have its height requirements. For example, some flight attendants are under five feet tall, and some are over six feet tall.
As a flight attendant, you need to fit comfortably in the aircraft that you will be working on and to be able to reach the overhead bins.
The minimum height for some airlines is 4’11”, while most airlines have no maximum height requirements.
You Might Like: Flight Attendant Height Requirement: Do You Measure Up For Your Dream Job?
Flight Attendant Educational Requirements
The first thing you’ll need to do to get a job as a flight attendant is a high school diploma.
A GED works just as well, and not all airlines require their flight attendants to have a college degree. While some college is preferred, not all flight attendants have a college degree.
Flight Attendant Citizenship Requirements
– Must have a valid U.S. passport or a Foreign Passport with applicable Visas.
– The ability to travel unrestricted to all states and countries serviced by the airline.
– Have a legal right to work in the U.S.
Flight Attendant Vision Requirements
Flight attendants are required to have 20/20 corrected vision at some airlines.
However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot become a flight attendant if you don’t have the perfect vision.
20/20 corrected vision means that you have 20/20 vision naturally, with glasses or contacts when you get your vision test.
The moral of the story? Check your vision, and ensure you have the proper prescription before becoming a flight attendant.
*Some airlines do not require 20/20 corrected vision, so read the airline requirements when requesting clarification.
Flight Attendant Appearance Requirements
Flight attendants are required to look professional at all times.
Most airlines don’t allow unnatural hair colors (think blue, pink, or purple, not blonde or brunette).
Flight attendants wear uniforms, and the idea is to look uniform.
Each airline has its exact requirements, from the color of flight attendant shoes to acceptable hairstyles and makeup.
A good rule of thumb is to err on the side of conservative hair, makeup, shoes, and accessories.
A flight attendant represents the airline brand, and the only other acceptable brand is flight attendant luggage, which is often black.
One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Can Flight Attendants Have Tattoos?” So I’ve written an in-depth post that explains airline tattoo policies to answer that question.
United Airlines Flight Attendant Requirements
United Airlines is one of the BEST airlines for flight attendants.
So let’s have a look at United Airlines Flight Attendant Requirements:
- – 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
- – High school diploma or equivalent; 2 or more years of college preferred.
- – Experience in customer service, hospitality, food service, the aviation industry, safety-related positions, social service, healthcare/medical, or the military would be ideal.
- Ability to proficiently operate electronic devices such as iPhones, iPads, desktops, computers, etc., to complete required tasks during training and onboard the aircraft.
- – Possess and maintain a valid U.S. or foreign passport with applicable visas and be eligible to work and travel freely within the U.S. and all countries they serve, without restriction.
- – Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; second languages such as Hebrew, Hindi, Dutch, and German are assets for language-speaking flight attendant positions.
- – Must possess physical agility and strength to assist customers: the ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., lift luggage to the overhead bin; lift window exit) and push and pull heavy equipment (e.g., should be able to push/pull beverage cart up to 250 pounds.).
- – Ability to serve meals, snacks, and beverages and conduct sales of food and liquor in the most caring and professional manner.
- -Proven effective communication is essential in maintaining order in high-stress situations such as aircraft evacuation, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather conditions, and turbulence.
- – Ability to pass vision, hearing, and middle ear function tests, ten-year work history review, criminal background check, physical exam, and drug screen.
Flight Attendant Requirements Delta Airlines
Like United and American Airlines, Delta Airlines is among the Top 5 Best Airlines For Flight Attendants.
So let’s have a look at the minimum flight attendant requirements for Delta Airlines:
- – Eligibility to work in the U.S.
- – Be at least 21 years of age.
- – Have a high school diploma or GED.
- – Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours when needed.
- – Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently.
- – Ability to obtain and keep a current passport and travel documents to enter freely and exit places where Delta flies freely.
- – Complete a pre-employment Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test and comprehensive background check, including a government-required fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
- – Ability to work in a physically demanding role that requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting (i.e., pushing/pulling beverage or food carts and lifting and opening emergency aircraft doors).
- – Ability to sit in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- – Ability to open emergency exits, close aircraft doors weighing up to 60 pounds, and use a food/beverage cart requiring 32 pounds of force when pushing or pulling.
- – Ability to retrieve and store items in the overhead bins, which can be as high as 74″ from the floor.
- – Willingness to accept an assignment to any Flight Attendant base after graduation from training, as dictated by the operation’s needs.
- – Must be willing to relocate to or commute (i.e., standby travel) to and from your assigned base location.
- – Must be willing to change and adapt to meet the job’s demands, including dealing with scheduling changes on short notice.
- – Must be willing to fly both International and Domestic routes.
- – Where permitted by applicable law, must have received or be willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine by the date of hire to be considered for a U.S.-based job if not currently employed by Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Delta Airlines Preferred Qualifications
One plus year of experience in jobs with responsibilities similar to those of a flight attendant.
Completion of a degree beyond high school or GED preferred.
American Airlines Flight Attendant Requirements
- – High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
- – College education or two years of customer service experience preferred.
- Must be able to make announcements, give emergency orders, and communicate in English.
- – Must be at least 20 years of age.
- – Must have a valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with applicable VISAs
- – Must possess the legal right to travel unrestricted to/from all states and countries served by American Airlines.
- – Travel documents must remain valid throughout all phases of training and employment.
- – Must have the legal right to work in the United States.
- – Able to attend up to 6 1/2 weeks of unpaid training in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and, if employed, move immediately to the city you are assigned as a base.
- – Able to be on call and available to report for duty in your assigned base (reserve duty). Reserve duty may continue for an undetermined amount of years.
All candidates must be willing to be based from any American Airlines base location.
Flight Attendant Vaccination Requirements
Some airlines have requested that flight attendants get vaccines to travel to specific destinations.
However, since the pandemic, all airlines have required their flight attendants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Some airlines will allow for a religious or medical exemption for new flight attendants, but that is rare.
So there you have it, 11+ flight attendant requirements that are easily achievable.
Do you already have many or all of the necessary flight attendant skills?
Are you wondering what you need to do to become a flight attendant?
Possessing the necessary flight attendant requirements is just the beginning.
If you want to learn EXACTLY how to get hired as a flight attendant? Future Flight Attendant has the best Online Course & Coaching Program to help you land your flight attendant career.