Flight Attendants

Career, Salary and Education Information

What Flight Attendants Do

Flight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of
airline passengers.

Duties of Flight Attendants

Flight attendants typically do the following:

 Participate in preflight briefings with the pilots, to discuss cabin conditions and flight details
 Conduct preflight inspections of emergency equipment
 Demonstrate the use of safety equipment and emergency equipment
 Ensure that passengers have their seatbelts fastened when required and that all other safety
requirements are observed
 Serve and sell beverages, meals, or snacks
 Take care of passengers' needs, particularly those with special needs
 Reassure passengers during the flight, such as when the aircraft hits turbulence
 Administer and coordinate emergency medical care, as needed
 Provide direction to passengers, including how to evacuate the aircraft in an emergency

Airlines are required by law to provide flight attendants for the safety and security of passengers. The primary
job of flight attendants is to keep passengers safe, ensuring that everyone follows security regulations and that
the flight deck is secure. Flight attendants also try to make flights comfortable and stress free for passengers.
At times, they may deal with passengers who display disruptive behavior.
About 1 hour before takeoff, the captain (pilot) may conduct a preflight briefing with flight attendants about
relevant flight information, including the number of hours the flight will take, the route the plane will travel, and
weather conditions. Flight attendants check that emergency equipment is working, the cabin is clean, and there
is an adequate supply of food and beverages on board. Flight attendants greet passengers as they board the
aircraft, direct them to their seats, and provide assistance as needed.
Flight attendants demonstrate the proper use of safety equipment to all passengers, either in person or through
a video recording before the plane takes off. They also check that seatbelts are fastened, seats are locked in
the upright position, and all carry-on items are properly stowed in accordance with federal law and company
policy.
A flight attendant's most important responsibility, however, is to help passengers in the event of an emergency.
This responsibility ranges from dealing with unruly passengers to performing first aid, fighting fires, protecting
the flight deck, and directing evacuations. Flight attendants also answer questions about the flight, attend to
passengers with special needs, and generally assist all passengers as needed.
Before the plane lands, flight attendants once again ensure that seatbelts are fastened, seats are locked in the
upright position, and all carry-on and galley items are properly stowed.
Before they leave the plane, flight attendants survey the condition of the cabin. They submit reports on any
medical, safety, or security issues that may have occurred during the flight.
 Work Environment for Flight Attendants
Flight attendants hold about 116,600 jobs. The largest employers of flight attendants are as follows:

Scheduled air transportation 96%

Nonscheduled air transportation 2

Support activities for air transportation 1

Flight attendants work primarily in the cabin of passenger aircraft. Dealing directly with passengers and
standing for long periods can be stressful and tiring. Occasionally, flights encounter air turbulence, which can
make providing service more difficult and causes anxiety in some passengers. Handling emergencies and
unruly customers also can be difficult and cause stress.
Flight attendants spend many nights away from home and often sleep in hotels or apartments shared by a
group of flight attendants.

Injuries and Illnesses for Flight Attendants

Flight attendants must follow safety procedures to avoid injuries. For example, they must ensure that overhead
compartments are closed, especially during turbulence, so that carry-on items don't fall and present a risk to all
in the cabin. Attendants also ensure that carts are properly stowed and latched during aircraft emergencies to
avoid injuries to passengers and themselves.

Flight Attendant Work Schedules

Flight attendants usually have variable schedules. They often work nights, weekends, and holidays because
airlines operate every day and have overnight flights. In most cases, a contract between the airline and the
flight attendant union determines the total daily and monthly workable hours. A typical on-duty shift is about 12
to 14 hours per day. However, duty time can be increased for international flights. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) requires that flight attendants receive at least 9 consecutive hours of rest following any
duty period before starting their next duty period.
Attendants usually fly 75 to 100 hours a month and generally spend another 50 hours a month on the ground,
preparing flights, writing reports, and waiting for aircraft to arrive. They can spend several nights a week away
from home. During this time, employers typically arrange hotel accommodations and a meal allowance.
An attendant's assignments of home base and route are based on seniority. New flight attendants must be
flexible with their schedule and location. Almost all flight attendants start out working on call, also known as
reserve status. Flight attendants on reserve usually live near their home airport, because they may have to
report to work on short notice.
As they earn more seniority, attendants may have more control over their schedules. For example, some senior
flight attendants may choose to live outside their home base and commute to work. Others may choose to work
only on regional flights. On small corporate airlines, flight attendants may work on an as-needed basis. About 1
in 4 flight attendants work part time.

How to Become a Flight Attendant

Flight attendants receive training from their employer and must be certified by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). Flight attendants need a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience in
customer service.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be eligible to work in the United States, have a valid passport, and
pass a background check and drug test. They must have vision that is correctable to at least 20/40 and often
need to conform to height requirements set by the airline. Flight attendants also may have to pass a medical
evaluation.
Flight attendants should present a professional appearance and not have visible tattoos, body piercings, or an
unusual hairstyle or makeup.

Education for Flight Attendants

A high school diploma is typically required to become a flight attendant. Some airlines may prefer to hire
applicants who have taken some college courses.
Those who work on international flights may have to be fluent in a foreign language. Some enroll in flight
attendant academies.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation for Flight Attendants

Flight attendants typically need 1 or 2 years of work experience in a service occupation before getting their first
job as a flight attendant. This experience may include customer service positions in restaurants, hotels, or
resorts. Experience in sales or in other positions that require close contact with the public and focus on service
to customers also may help develop the skills needed to be a successful flight attendant.

Flight Attendant Training

Once a flight attendant is hired, airlines provide their initial training, ranging from 3 to 6 weeks. The training
usually takes place at the airline's flight training center and is required for FAA certification.
Trainees learn emergency procedures such as evacuating aircraft, operating emergency equipment, and
administering first aid. They also receive specific instruction on flight regulations, company operations, and job
duties.
Toward the end of the training, students go on practice flights. They must complete the training to keep a job
with the airline. Once they have passed initial training, new flight attendants receive the FAA Certificate of
Demonstrated Proficiency and continue to receive additional on the job training as required by their employer.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Flight Attendants

All flight attendants must be certified by the FAA. To become certified, flight attendants must complete their
employer's initial training program and pass an exam. Flight attendants are certified for specific types of aircraft
and must take new training for each type of aircraft on which they are to work. In addition, attendants receive
recurrent training every year to maintain their certification.

Advancement for Flight Attendants

Career advancement is based on seniority. On international flights, senior attendants frequently oversee the
work of other attendants. Senior attendants may be promoted to management positions in which they are
responsible for recruiting, instructing, and scheduling.

Important Qualities for Flight Attendants

Attentiveness. Flight attendants must be aware of any security or safety risks during the flight. They also must
be attentive to passengers' needs in order to ensure a pleasant travel experience.
Communication skills. Flight attendants should speak clearly, listen attentively, and interact effectively with
passengers and other crewmembers.
Customer-service skills. Flight attendants should have poise, tact, and resourcefulness to handle stressful
situations and address passengers' needs.
Decisionmaking skills. Flight attendants must be able to act decisively in emergencies.
Physical stamina. Flight attendants push, pull, and carry service items, open and close overhead buns, and
stand and walk for long periods.

Flight Attendant Salaries

The median annual wage for flight attendants is $48,500. The median wage is the wage at which half the
workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned
less than $26,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,650.
The median annual wages for flight attendants in the top industries in which they work are as follows:

Scheduled air transportation $48,660

Support activities for air transportation 44,150

Nonscheduled air transportation 41,520

Flight attendants receive an allowance for meals and accommodations while working away from home.
Although attendants are required to purchase an initial set of uniforms and luggage, the airlines usually pay for
replacements and upkeep. Flight attendants generally are eligible for discounted airfare or free standby seats
through their airline.
Attendants typically fly 75 to 100 hours a month and usually spend another 50 hours a month on the ground,
preparing flights, writing reports, and waiting for planes to arrive. They can spend several nights a week away
from home. Most work variable schedules. About 1 in 4 flight attendants work part time.

Union Membership for Flight Attendants

Most flight attendants belong to a union.

Job Outlook for Flight Attendants

Employment of flight attendants is projected to grow 10 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average
for all occupations.
Many airlines are replacing smaller aircraft with new, larger planes that can accommodate a greater number of
passengers. As a result, this change may increase the number of flight attendants needed on some routes.

Job Prospects for Flight Attendants

Competition for jobs will remain strong because the occupation typically attracts many more applicants than
there are job openings. Job prospects should be best for applicants with a college degree.
Most job opportunities will come from the need to replace attendants who leave the workforce.

Employment projections data for Flight Attendants, 2016-26

Occupational Title Employment, 2016 Projected Employment, 2026 Change, 2016-26

 Percent Numeric

Flight attendants 116,600 128,500 10 11,900

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