Flight Attendant

A flight attendant is a staff member who attends to passenger needs and comfort aboard commercial airplanes while ensuring safety and service standards during flights. Some main duties include:

Passenger Care – Flight attendants do pre-takeoff safety briefings, relay in-flight announcements, run onboard service of refreshments, respond to call request lights from passengers for anything from food & drink orders to medical issues.

Emergency Procedures – They direct emergency evacuations, execute safety procedures like checking cabin secure for takeoff/landing, provide first aid & medical crisis response and can administer CPR or use defibrillators if trained.

Operational Duties – Duties span from meal & beverage cart preparation in galleys, restocking lavatory supplies, paperwork filings to even flight deck communication acting as co-pilot liaison.

Customer Experience – They aim to accommodate reasonable patron requests, address complaints positively, de-escalate tensions and provide travel tips, all with friendly engaged service to represent airline.

The goal is ensuring passenger comfort, building airline reputation through positive experiences and guaranteeing aircraft cabin safety as aviation regulators require. Extensive training is mandatory given multifaceted roles combining hospitality service and emergency response.

What Qualifications Are Required to Become a Flight Attendant?

To become a flight attendant, several qualifications are typically required:

1. Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is usually the minimum educational requirement.
2. Language Skills: Fluency in English is essential, and proficiency in another language is often an advantage, especially for international airlines.
3. Customer Service Experience: Previous experience in customer-facing roles, such as hospitality, retail, or service industry jobs, is beneficial. Employers value candidates with strong interpersonal skills and a customer-oriented mindset.
4. Physical Requirements: Flight attendants must meet certain physical criteria, such as height and reach requirements, to perform tasks effectively onboard and in emergencies. They should also be in good health to endure long flights and be able to assist passengers in physically demanding situations.
5. Legal Requirements: Candidates must typically pass a background check and have the legal right to work in the country where the airline operates.
6. Training: Completion of a training program provided by the airline is mandatory. This training covers safety protocols, emergency procedures, service standards, and specific airline policies. Training programs usually take several weeks and include both classroom instruction and hands-on practice in simulated aircraft environments.
7. Certification: After completing the training program, flight attendants often receive certification from aviation authorities, which allows them to work on commercial flights.

Each airline might have its own specific requirements, but these qualifications generally form the foundation for becoming a flight attendant.