Are you dreaming about becoming a cabin crew, but you don’t know where to start? Or maybe you already fly, and you need to move your career forward? For the person who is not yet working for aviation, it might be hard to find out where to search for a job as a flight attendant. And for us already flying, the options sometimes are overwhelming.
Checking general job websites like Indeed or Jooble, it’s always a good idea if you search for a 9 to 5 position, but not the only one and the most effective for the future cabin crew. But there are many ways to find a flight attendant job. I gathered all of them under the one post and listed them below:
Cabin crew job offers – where to find them?
Aviation job websites
This is where you should start. There are few services which gather advertisements from all around the world, dedicated to aviation only:
If you are interested in working for a specific airline, it’s a must to check their website. Many of them are the best source to find out about upcoming hiring events or the full recruitment process. Some of the airlines already have their E-recruiting portals. Many of them, like Emirates airlines, explain details about working conditions and salary, accommodation, benefits, or give you hints on how to dress for an interview. You can also leave your contact or CV, and be informed about the next assessment days happening in your location.
Some of the big airlines and their recruitment websites:
Facebook groups with flight attendant job offers and discussions
Good source not only to find job opportunities but as well to ask questions and share experiences. There are many thematic groups for specific airlines and general topics.
The question of how to become a cabin crew is one of the most popular ones I receive. So I am happy to announce that I started a Facebook group related to the cabin crew topic, both Commercial and VIP. This will be the space where you can find job offers, reach me to ask questions and for us to share our experiences and advice.
Linkedin is a fantastic platform to find a job in aviation. There are groups, similar to Facebook, where people share offers and discuss about recruitment. It’s essential to keep your profile updated, especially if you are already experienced in flying. There are airlines and aviation recruiters who search for potential candidates via Linkedin. I sometimes get those messages with the invitation for the interview for private airlines.
If you are experienced, you can search for a job actively, find aviation agencies, and contact recruiters on Linkedin. And if you already got a job offer, you can find someone already working for the airline to answer your questions or dispel your doubts about accepting the job. Remember only to be subtle and not too spammy.
This form slowly becomes a thing of the past, but when I started looking for a job as a cabin crew, groups on Facebook were not so popular (if they existed at all). All discussions were taking place on online forums. You can still find them as a good source of knowledge about recruitments and flight attendant job offers, especially if you are looking for something locally. These two are worth checking:
Most of us know someone who already works as a cabin crew. If you do, it’s an excellent opportunity to ask about the overall experience or tips for the interview. Employees usually know if the airline is going to recruit new people soon, so you can find out if new opportunities are coming.
The possibilities are endless, and the list of places where you can find flight attendant job offers is continually changing. I will be grateful if you share your sources in the comment!
Working in aviation does not mean only the position of the pilot or a flight attendant. There are many other options for those who are interested in working on the ground or in the air. One of the interesting opportunities, especially for those who can not fly for some reason, is working as a flight dispatcher.
What does the flight dispatcher do?
Flight dispatcher job is often confused with air traffic controller duties. However, these are two different positions.
Flight dispatcher works on the ground. It can be the airline’s airport office or a control center, located in a different place. No airline can operate without his work, no matter whether it is a commercial, private or a cargo carrier.
The flight dispatcher job involves great responsibility. Not only pilots but also the dispatcher is responsible for the security and proper conduct of the flight. His responsibilities include planning to make a smooth journey for the passengers and the crew. He works in shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Detailed responsibilities of a flight dispatcher job
planning the course of the flight, starting with the route and basic parameters, ending with obtaining the appropriate permits
analysis and evaluation of meteorological information to select a suitable route and assess potential risks
calculating the right amount of fuel needed to operate the flight
preparing the flight plan – a document containing information such as weather conditions, routes, conditions at the destination airport
intermediary between the cockpit crew and the other parts of the company, e.g. those responsible for hotel reservations, giving information about the flight
monitoring of the trip regarding weather conditions, delays or other events
How to start? Schools and courses for flight dispatchers
You can find a wide range of courses offering training for flight dispatchers on the Internet. They can be carried out by standard aviation schools, airlines, or universities that specialize in aviation. A full-time course usually lasts approx. 5 weeks.
The training covers issues related to air traffic control, radio communication, basics of the construction of the aircraft, aerodynamics, procedures in emergencies, meteorology, navigation, aviation law and practice in flight planning.
What you should consider while choosing a flight dispatcher course
history of school/organization
position in the market
the best schools employ full-time instructors, so it is not only their additional job, and the team has contact with the students. There is also less chance of rotating the teachers during training. You should ask instructors about their experience of working for the airlines.
opinions about the school and courses
cooperation with the airlines and the possibility of future employment
facilities – a place of training and help with finding discounted accommodation
the way of conducting classes – some of the schools carry out part of their courses online, so it saves time and money
price of a full course, and additional costs
Important: completion of the course is not the same as getting a license – some countries like Poland or the USA also require this document.
Prices vary depending on the company and region. In the US, the course price at a flight school starts at $ 5,000. Large airlines charge more, but there is a big chance to hire you after the course.
experience in aviation (pilot, flight controller, meteorologist) or completed flight dispatcher course
minimum age is usually 21 (Poland) or 23 years (USA)
English at an advanced level
secondary education
clear criminal record
in some countries, the license is required
The requirements may vary depending on the employer and the place.
Major airlines usually require several years of experience at the same position, so it`s easier to start a career in smaller companies.
Flight dispatcher job – salary
Salary varies depending on place, airline or experience of the candidate.
Starting a career in Europe, you can reach approx. 45 000 Euro per year. In US minimum annual rates are around 45 000 $. An experienced dispatcher can make even $ 150 000/year. In Poland, initial earnings are at a low level. You have to consider that your salary for the first two years will not exceed 4000 zł per month (approx. 900 Euro), but experienced flight dispatcher’s salary can reach 14 000 zł.
In the Middle East you can count on similar wages as in the US, but you don’t pay taxes.
Do you have experience as a flight dispatcher or did you pass the course? Please leave a comment and share your opinion, it will be useful for other readers!
The profession of a flight attendant is usually associated with the young, looking like a model girl. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just fly several times with Lufthansa or Air France. You will find out that the average flight attendant age is above 30. So when is the best time to start working in the clouds? Are there any preferences that guide the airlines?
What is the best age to start working as a flight attendant?
Every airline has its criteria for the flight attendant’s age, which are not always published. While the minimum is determined by aviation law, the maximum cabin crew age depends on the company’s requirements.
Europe – flight attendant age limitations
The minimum hiring age in Europe is 18 years old at the time when you apply for a job. Below are examples of some of the requirements of companies:
Ryanair: above 18
WizzAir: above 18
Air Europa: 21-35
Vueling: 18-30
Iberia: 18-30 (candidates with no experience)
Swift Air: 18-32
Volotea: 18-32
EasyJet: above 18
Aer Lingus: 21-35
Swiss Airlines: 21-35
HiFly: above 21
Norwegian: above18
Middle East – cabin crew age requirements
Minimum flight attendant age is 21 years old when you become officially employed. It means that you can apply approx. 2 months before, usually, airlines wait up to 6 months for candidates to reach the appropriate age. And let’s be realistic here – you have more chances to fly for airlines in the Middle East if you start early. Most of airlines prefer to hire crew up to around age of 33. Examples of requirements:
Oman Air: 21-30
Air Arabia:21-30
Flyadeal: 23-35
Saudia Airlines: 22-30
Flynas: above 21
Asia – flight attendant age requirements
Asian airlines have similar standards as Europe when it comes to minimum flight attendant age. However, most of them employ candidates not exceeding 30 years of age. Examples:
Private Airlines (Business Jets, VIP) – age requirements
Private airlines: The situation in private airlines is different. It is hard to determine the desired age of the cabin crew. Most business jet companies and private owners require a minimum of two years of aviation experience, so age is not so much taken into account. Some of the aircraft’s owners have their preferences. CV and skills often count more than the birth date. However, each case is different. I know people who got a job at the age of 40 and above.
Flight attendant job – age limitations. Why does it matter?
Airlines prefer to hire young candidates for a simple reason – they will stay longer in the company. Flight attendant job is not always compatible with private life. There is a bigger chance that young employees don’t plan to settle down, and their careers are more important. A flight attendant’s initial training is costly, so it is always better to keep the employee for several years.
The attractiveness of work also dictates the average age of the crew. Why Ryanair flight attendants usually do not exceed their thirties, and British Airways cabin crew is older? Because working in a low-cost airline is the least attractive, so logically after gaining some experience, the crew seeks employment with national or other carriers. Their employees often stay in the company for years. Sometimes there are also cultural factors – in the Middle East or Asia, women who got married are more likely to quit their job than European and American women.
The best option is to start applying as early as possible because the market competition is high and it does not mean that you will get a job from the first time. Some companies, especially charters, offer employment only for the summer season (e.g. Enter Air and Small Planet in Poland), so you can gain some experience during studies.
What was my age when I started working as a flight attendant?
I started flying about a month after I got my master’s degree. I got hired by a low-cost Saudi airline called Flynas. The night I landed for the first time in Saudi Arabia was my 25th birthday. A few months later, I moved to my first private airline to fly for the Saudi Royal Family.
Remember that if you exceed a slightly maximum age, it doesn’t mean that you can not try. Airlines often treat each case individually and change the internal regulations. The reason can be a good CV or a great experience. It may be your performance at the interview or one tiny detail that decides about a positive result. If you already got the invitation for an assessment day or a job interview, recruiters already accepted your age. Half of the success is in your hands, so now it’s time to shine and show them they need to hire you!
Year by year,flyingis becoming morepopular. Newairlinesare formedand each of themoffersother conditions of employment.Recruitmentsto workin aviationare in high demand.For some people it`s a job only for a moment, while otherswant to be associatedwith aviationfor a long time.Type ofairlinedefines generalconditionswhichcan be expected while looking for a job.
Commercial airlines
The vast majority of cabin crew begina career incommercial airlines. Commercial airlines are those which most of us use every day by buying a ticket for the flight without renting the whole plane.
Low cost airlines
The airlines that base their strategies on the lowest ticket prices, so focus onquantity not quality. These airlines usually have only economy class and service on board is paid, which means it`s easier because you don`t have to serve each passenger. Most of low cost companies have base in a cheaper, distant from the city center airports, so accommodation costs significantly decrease. But cutting costs means also that the work day ends up with coming back to the base because the low-costs usually do not organize layovers, so sightseeing during work is almost impossible. On the other hand, these companies have extended network of flights and attractive discounts for the crew, so you can use them in your free time. In conclusion, working for low cost airline is good for beginning to gain some experience needed for recruitment in other airlines.
Advantages: relatively easy toget a jobwithout experience,easy service, sales commissions on board,discounts on ticketsfor the crew
These are companieswhich rentthe planes for travel agencies or other airlines. Working insuch airlines gives great sightseeing opportunitiesbecauseoftenthe crewremains in placewith the aircraftor temporarilychange thebase. Usually is a job only for holiday season, which means it`s easy to gain experience even during studies but does not provide stable employment.
Advantages: long layovers
Disadvantages: seasonal work
Popular charter airlines: Enter Air (Poland), Small Planet Airlines (Lithuanian lines with the base also in Poland), Travel Service (Czech Republic), TUIfly (Germany), Thomas Cook Airlines (UK)
Flag carriers
Airlinessupportedorowned bythe government of the country.
Stableemploymentgivesthe opportunity to stayin the companyfor many years, offering benefitssuchas maternity leave, whichis not standardin aviation.
Advantages:the opportunity to workin home country, stable employment, the ability tostay withthe companyfor years, layovers, maternity leave, increasedtolerance to the age of the candidate(with experience)
Disadvantages: in most cases experince required
Examples of flag carriers: PLL LOT (Poland), Lufthansa (Germany), Alitalia (Italy), Etihad Airways (United Arab Emirates), Turkish Airlines (Turkey), Oman Air (Oman), Saudi Airlines (Saudi Arabia), Qatar Airways (Qatar)
Private airlines
The cherryon the cakeofworking ascabincrew. It is practically impossible to start a career as a flight attendantstarting from theprivate sector, because of the experience required.Privateairlines can have in theirfleet both large and small aircrafts carryingonly a few passengers.
Private owners of aircraftsemployinghis crew
The job requiresmorecommitment than employment in commercial airlines. Often cabin crew employedby a private owneris engaged in the ordering of catering, organization of purchasesand evenbookinghotels forthe crew, so responsibilities are muchwider. Ads of this type of work are rarely published on the Internet. Usually recruitment is carried out by specialized agencies or crew is employed from recommendation. The crew travels with the plane, so layovers can extend to months, depending on the preference of the owner.
Advantages: work less intense; long layovers; longer holidays, oftenbased on rotaring system – eg. two months working and one month of holiday;high salary
Disadvantages:high responsibility; constantavailabilityand lack ofschedule; high requirements (age, appearance,nationality– depending on thetastes of the owner of the aircraft); required experience
Business jets, private charters
Companiesspecializingin the rental of luxury aircrafts for businesses and private individuals.
Advantages: layovers; longer holidays, oftenbased on rotaring system – eg. two months working and one month of holiday;high salary
Wady: constantavailabilityand lack ofschedule; high requirements
Examples of private charters: Vista Jet, Global Jet, Alpha Star, Qatar Executive
Freelance
Workingfor private airlines and aircraft owners for a short period of time ora singleflight. Only by specialized agencies recruting crew for aviation or from recommendation.
Advantages: flexibility – you can work when you want
Disadvantages:workin an unfamiliar environment, big responsibility, insurance and medical care on your own, hard to get a job without connections, lack of permanent employment
Traveler and Vip flight attendant working and living in the most mysterious country in the world – Saudi Arabia. This blog gives a glimpse of lifestyle and undiscovered culture of Saudi and useful travel feed from around the world. Follow my Instagram to stay in touch with me: @olasupertramp
