Work as a stewardess ⭐ Guide to become a flight attendant 2024

If you want to work as a stewardess, there are many paths open to you. We explain how you can become a flight attendant.

What is a stewardess?

Stewardess is an older term for the job of a flight attendant. As a stweardess or flight attendant you work as part of the cabin crew in a commercial aircraft at an airline such as Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, United Airlines or Ryanair. This means that stewardesses spend most of their working time on the plane.

Duties of a stewardess or flight attendant are:

• Preparing flights in terms of cabin management
• looking after passengers on flights (including giving safety instructions, seating passengers, sales, handing out drinks and food)
• Provide relief in the event of an emergency in the air (for example, firefighting, medical first aid)
• ensure orderly evacuation in the event of an emergency on the ground.

Other duties as a stewardess include greeting and saying goodbye to passengers on the plane, helping them find the right seats, helping them with their luggage, announcing passengers in the cabin, and briefing them on emergency exits. Mediating conflicts in the cabin will also be part of your duties.

Stewardesses usually wear an airline uniform and in most cases work alongside other flight attendants in the cabin. It is a job with a high focus on client orientation, teamwork, and a detailled eye especcially on order and security.

Working as a stewardess: What you should know

If you want to work as a stewardess, it’s pretty important that you realize what this job entails:

• You’re on a plane most of the time. Planes are cramped, it’s shaky, and it’s often uncomfortable.
• Your job is a service to people: You meet a lot of different people. Not all of them are nice and friendly.
• Flying is often stressful: meals have to be handed out in a certain amount of time, and it can get really hectic on short flights.
• In some cases you don’t spend the night at home, but have to sleep in a hotel (paid for by the airline).
• Often there are changing schedules: you need to be available and flexible frequently.

Many flights leave in the early morning hours. It’s not uncommon to have to get up in the middle of the night.
Oh yes: As a flight attendant, you don’t just work on the plane, the plane also flies quite often. It can shake, crack and rumble. There are also hard landings, steep turns and air pockets here and there. So it’s already good if you don’t have a fear of flying.

Also pay attention to the following: The air in an airplane is particularly dry, there is a high air pressure and it is loud. If one of these characteristics doesn’t suit you, you might want to look for an alternative career.

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Advantages of working as a flight attendant

It’s quite clear: You see the whole world and get around a lot. Young people in particular appreciate this opportunity. On long-haul assignments, you usually stay in excellent hotels with spa areas, and your flights can take you to vacation paradises for free.

The second advantage is that you can get into the job very quickly. Unlike other jobs, there is a quick training here, after which you can earn your own money quickly.

How high your income is then depends very much on the airline you work for. The starting salary is often around 1,500 euros gross for a full-time job and increases depending on experience and the tasks taken on. After a few years with the same airline, you can easily reach 2,500 euros gross and beyond. If you take on tasks as a team leader in the cabin (purser), the salary can quickly double or triple.

In Germany, flight crew members are not allowed to work more than 2,000 hours per year. The monthly flight hours for airlines are usually less than 100 hours. By comparison, a full-time office job has about 150 hours of work per month.

Each airline has its own rules about monthly flight hours. It is important to note that as a flight attendant you are usually not entitled to weekends off or holidays: so it can be really challenging to plan your family life. On the other hand, depending on the airline, you are entitled to about ten days off per month at full employment.

Which airline can I work for as a stewardess?

One strategy may be for you to apply to the biggest German airlines. The idea behind this: The bigger an airline, the more stewardesses are employed here and the more staff is basically hired.

The largest German airlines are:

• Lufthansa
• Lufthansa Cityline
• Eurowings
• TUIfly
• Condor
• SunExpress Germany
• Sundair
• Hahn Air Lines
• Airline Walter

Airlines that also hire stewardesses in or from Germany include Ryanair, Easyjet and WizzAir amongst others. The best thing to do is to click through the list of airlines and have a look at the corresponding career pages.

Career Progression and Further Education Opportunities for Flight Attendants

The Path to Leadership and Specialization

Flight attendants in Germany have several avenues for career progression and further education, which can significantly enhance their professional trajectories and personal growth. The aviation industry values continuous learning and offers various programs to help cabin crew members advance into more specialized roles or management positions.

Advanced Training and Certification Programs

Several institutions and airlines offer advanced training programs focusing on safety procedures, customer service excellence, and leadership skills. These programs often lead to certifications that are highly regarded within the industry.

• Safety and Emergency Procedures: Specialized courses in handling emergency situations, including medical emergencies and security threats.
• Service Excellence Training: Workshops on enhancing passenger experience through superior service delivery.
• Leadership and Management: Programs designed to prepare senior flight attendants for supervisory and management roles.

Educational Pathways

Flight attendants interested in expanding their career horizons may consider pursuing further education in fields related to aviation, hospitality, or business management.

• Aviation Management: Degrees or diplomas in aviation management cover topics such as airport operations, aviation safety, and airline management.
• Hospitality Management: Courses focusing on the broader aspects of hospitality can open opportunities in travel and tourism management.
• Business Administration: A business degree can equip flight attendants with skills in leadership, finance, and marketing, valuable for career advancement within and outside the aviation sector.

Key Education and Training Programs for Career Advancement

How to Become a Stewardess/Flight Attendant in Africa

The African aviation market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing domestic and international travel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the African market is expected to grow by 5.4% annually, with passenger numbers reaching over 300 million by 2037. This growth will likely lead to a surge in flight attendant job opportunities, especially with airlines like Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways expanding their networks.

Requirements and Training Process

• Educational Qualifications: A high school diploma is typically required, though some airlines may prefer candidates with higher education or specialized hospitality training.
• Languages: English proficiency is essential, with French, Arabic, or Portuguese advantageous for North and West African routes.
• Height and Physical Condition: Airlines have minimum height requirements, usually around 160 cm, to ensure attendants can reach overhead compartments and equipment. Medical examinations are mandatory to ensure the ability to handle in-flight emergencies.
• Training: Once hired, new recruits undergo a comprehensive training program lasting several weeks. This includes first aid, emergency procedures, passenger service, and aircraft-specific safety training.

Job Growth and Opportunities

The expansion of African airlines, along with new international routes, is expected to create thousands of new jobs for flight attendants. The development of regional hubs, like Addis Ababa and Nairobi, as major transit points will further enhance the demand for trained cabin crew.

Where to Apply

How to Become a Stewardess/Flight Attendant in Asia

Asia is home to some of the world’s busiest and fastest-growing airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and ANA. IATA forecasts that Asia-Pacific will contribute over half of global air traffic growth, with an estimated 2.3 billion passengers by 2037. This growth opens up significant employment opportunities for flight attendants as new routes and fleets are added to meet demand.

Key Requirements

• Education: While most airlines require only a high school diploma, degrees in hospitality, tourism, or communication can provide an edge. Airlines like Singapore Airlines or Korean Air tend to favor candidates with some college education.
• Languages: Fluency in English is essential. Additionally, proficiency in regional languages such as Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean can be a significant asset for airlines that serve these markets.
• Appearance and Grooming: Airlines in Asia, particularly premium carriers, place a strong emphasis on professional appearance. Many have strict guidelines regarding makeup, hairstyle, and uniforms, reflecting the cultural importance of appearance in service roles.
• Health and Physical Fitness: As with airlines in other regions, flight attendants must meet certain height and health standards. Airlines like Cathay Pacific require medical checks to ensure candidates can perform physically demanding tasks in emergencies.

Job Growth and Opportunities

With the rapid growth of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Asia, alongside established premium airlines, the demand for flight attendants continues to rise. New aircraft orders from AirAsia, Scoot, and other regional carriers are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade.

Major Airlines and Job Portals

How to Become a Stewardess/Flight Attendant in the USA

In the U.S., the aviation sector is booming, with airlines like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines expanding operations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 21% increase in flight attendant jobs by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increased air travel, new routes, and fleet expansion.

Requirements

• Educational and Work Experience: A high school diploma or GED is required, but a college degree (especially in hospitality or tourism) can enhance your application. Many U.S. airlines prioritize customer service experience over formal education, making it accessible for those with varied backgrounds.
• Language Skills: While English is essential, U.S.-based airlines highly value candidates who are bilingual or multilingual. Spanish is particularly useful, but proficiency in languages such as French, German, or Mandarin is also beneficial.
• Physical Requirements: U.S. airlines require candidates to pass a physical ability test, ensuring they can perform emergency duties, such as operating the emergency exits and lifting evacuation equipment. Minimum and maximum height limits (typically around 5’0″ to 6’2″) are strictly enforced.
• Legal Status: You must have U.S. citizenship or the legal right to work in the country (via a green card or work visa).

Job Growth and Opportunities

As the airline industry recovers from the pandemic and expands services, U.S. airlines are hiring aggressively. With increased domestic travel and a growing number of international routes, thousands of flight attendant positions are expected to be created.

How to Apply

Questions and answers on becoming a flight attendant in Germany

What comes after the work as a stewardess?

Many people would like to be a flight attendant at a young age so they can see a lot and earn money quickly. As life progresses, quite a few people then want to settle down in a permanent place, start a family, and have time for that family.

As a flight attendant, you often have the option of switching to part-time work: with the approval of your airline, you can reduce the number of flight hours within a month or even take a break for entire months. In many cases, it is also possible to switch to ground staff, for example to the check-in area. This allows for fixed working hours and less stress.

There are also other jobs at airports. Or maybe you even want to become a pilot?

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