• Flight Attendant Job Description

    A flight attendant is someone whose job is to help passengers on board an aircraft and ensure their safety and comfort. Their job involves greeting passengers as they board the plane and thanking them as they exit, helping them stow their luggage in the overhead bins, and explaining and demonstrating safety procedures and equipment to them.

    A flight attendant should be quick, safety-conscious, confident, polite, friendly, smiley and helpful, and have the ability to relate to people from a range of background and cultures. They should be able to read passengers and situations and stay calm during difficult situations. They should also be reasonably fit and healthy to cope with the demands of flying.

  • What does a Flight Attendant do?

    Flight attendants may do some or all of the following:

    • attend preflight briefings
    • welcome passengers on board and direct them to their seats
    • help passengers stow their luggage in the overhead bins
    • ensure that all emergency equipment are in working order before each flight
    • explain and demonstrate safety procedures and equipment to passengers
    • ensure all passengers have seatbelts fastened
    • anticipate and respond quickly and pleasantly to customer needs
    • serve food and drinks to passengers, and clear and collect meal trays when they are done
    • make in-flight announcements and respond to a broad range of in-flight situations
    • assist in cleaning the cabin between flights
    • sell airline products
    • direct passengers in case of an emergency
  • Where does a Flight Attendant work?
  • Working Conditions

    Flight attendants may work irregular hours including early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays. Their job will require them to travel on a constant basis and sometimes be away from home for a period of time. Their job will also require them to work in confined spaces and in noisy environments

  • What is Required to Become a Flight Attendant ?

    To be employed as a flight attendant, you will need to have at least a certificate of secondary education. However, employers will prefer to hire candidates with post secondary school training in a customer service related discipline. New recruits usually undergo a 4-6 weeks training program.

  • Modules
  • Specializations
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Flight attendants need to have:

    • patience
    • adaptability
    • courteousness
    • tactfulness
    • friendliness
    • carefulness
    • confidence and assertiveness
    • physical stamina
    • good memory
    • good eyesight, hearing and color vision
    • good personal hygiene and neat appearance
    • good observational skills
    • good listening and communication skills
    • good judgment and decision making skills
    • organizational skills
    • numerical skills
    • problem solving skills
    • persuasion and negotiating skills
    • multitasking skills
    • swimming skills
    • the ability to think quickly and inventively
    • the ability to stay calm in difficult situations
    • the ability to work in confined spaces
    • the ability to relate with people from different cultures and background
    • the ability to maintain composure when dealing with disrespectful and abusive passengers
    • knowledge of first aid
    • knowledge of airline terminology
    • knowledge of food service safety
    • knowledge of aviation regulations
    • knowledge of flight and emergency procedures

References

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