Year by year, flying is becoming more popular. New airlines are formed and each of them offers other conditions of employment. Recruitments to work in aviation are in high demand. For some people it`s a job only for a moment, while others want to be associated with aviation for a long time. Type of airline defines general conditions which can be expected while looking for a job.
Commercial airlines
The vast majority of cabin crew begin a career in commercial 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 on quantity 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 to get a job without experience, easy service, sales commissions on board, discounts on tickets for the crew
Disadvantages: lower wages, lack of layovers
Popular low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Germanwings, Norwegian, FlyNas (Saudi Arabia), FlyDubai
Charter airlines
These are companies which rent the planes for travel agencies or other airlines. Working in such airlines gives great sightseeing opportunities because often the crew remains in place with the aircraft or temporarily change the base. 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
Airlines supported or owned by the government of the country.
Stable employment gives the opportunity to stay in the company for many years, offering benefits such as maternity leave, which is not standard in aviation.
Advantages: the opportunity to work in home country, stable employment, the ability to stay with the company for years, layovers, maternity leave, increased tolerance 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 cherry on the cake of working as cabin crew. It is practically impossible to start a career as a flight attendant starting from the private sector, because of the experience required. Private airlines can have in their fleet both large and small aircrafts carrying only a few passengers.
Private owners of aircrafts employing his crew
The job requires more commitment than employment in commercial airlines. Often cabin crew employed by a private owner is engaged in the ordering of catering, organization of purchases and even booking hotels for the crew, so responsibilities are much wider. 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, often based on rotaring system – eg. two months working and one month of holiday; high salary
Disadvantages: high responsibility; constant availability and lack of schedule; high requirements (age, appearance, nationality – depending on the tastes of the owner of the aircraft); required experience
Business jets, private charters
Companies specializing in the rental of luxury aircrafts for businesses and private individuals.
Advantages: layovers; longer holidays, often based on rotaring system – eg. two months working and one month of holiday; high salary
Wady: constant availability and lack of schedule; high requirements
Examples of private charters: Vista Jet, Global Jet, Alpha Star, Qatar Executive
Freelance
Working for private airlines and aircraft owners for a short period of time or a single flight. Only by specialized agencies recruting crew for aviation or from recommendation.
Advantages: flexibility – you can work when you want
Disadvantages: work in an unfamiliar environment, big responsibility, insurance and medical care on your own, hard to get a job without connections, lack of permanent employment
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired! Extremely useful info specially the ultimate section 🙂 I take care of such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.