Tourism

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Air Cabin Crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a cabin crew advanced apprenticeship.

This will usually take 12 months to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct application

You could apply directly to airlines for a cabin crew job. Airlines set their own entry requirements, which can vary.

Alongside these, you'll be expected to have a good standard of spoken and written English. You'll also need to demonstrate that you have great customer service skills, so experience of working directly with the public is useful.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• You'll also be expected to:have a smart appearance; have a valid passport with no restrictions for the countries the airline travels to; live within 90 minutes of your base; have good written and spoken English
• Many airlines also ask that you're able to swim up to 25 metres.
• There are rules about height and weight - these vary between airlines. As a general guide, most look for people between 5ft 2in (157cm) and 6ft 2in (188cm) with weight in proportion to height.
• be over 18 years of age
• have a good level of fitness
• pass a medical check
• pass enhanced background checks

More information

Career tips

Some airlines and private training providers run 2-day cabin crew courses, which may help your chances of getting a job.

Some airlines also have online career quizzes you can do to test whether working as air cabin crew is for you, before you apply.

Being able to speak a second language may give you an advantage for some jobs.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could progress to cabin crew supervisor or a senior air cabin crew role.

You could also work in a ground-based job, like cabin crew training, recruitment, passenger services, marketing or sales.

You'll find details about working as air cabin crew from Careers That Move.