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Flight Attendant

Also known as Air Steward and Cabin Crew.

Flight attendants provide onboard service to aircraft passengers and ensure the observance of airline safety procedures.

Flight attendants work in shifts that involve irregular hours, working weekends and public holidays, and spending time away from home.

They work long hours in a pressurised cabin and must adjust to varying climatic conditions and different time zones.

TASKS

Flight attendants may perform the following tasks:

conduct pre-flight cabin checks
check boarding passes and direct passengers to seats
advise passengers of safety regulations
distribute reading material and serve meals and drinks
provide first aid treatment and assist sick passengers
anticipate and provide for the comfort of passengers needing special attention, including unaccompanied children, parents with infants, people with disability, the elderly and non-English-speaking passengers
take action in the event of decompression, turbulence, mechanical malfunction or unlawful acts by passengers
prepare for emergency landings and the evacuation of passengers

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

friendly personality with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
able to work as part of a team
neat personal appearance at all times
able to work under pressure and within tight time frames
able to adapt easily to an irregular lifestyle
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
able to satisfy height requirements (for some airlines)
able to swim approximately 20 to 50 metres unaided (for some airlines)
at least 18 years of age

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a flight attendant without formal qualifications.

Entry requirements may vary, but the major airlines generally require you to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12 with good results in English and mathematics, combined with the successful undertaking of written and practical examinations, as well as behavioural assessments.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications and/or relevant experience in the hospitality or customer service industry.

You can also become a flight attendant through a traineeship in Aviation (Flight Operations).

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

On appointment, flight attendants undertake initial in-house training, prior to commencing flight duties.

Additional Information

The major airlines prefer candidates who speak a second language or can demonstrate an awareness of other cultures.

Applicants are required to have a Provide First Aid Certificate, a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate and a valid passport, all with a minimum of 12 months validity. All persons working in the airline industry must satisfy security clearance requirements.

Flight attendants receive regular training throughout their careers and their performance is monitored to ensure high standards.