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Can cabin crew have asthma?

Asthma has to be clinically stable before a pilot or cabin crew member can return to performing aviation safety related duties. The use of respiratory aerosols or powders, such as corticosteroids, beta-2-agonists or chromoglycic acid may be compatible with performing aviation safety related duties.



Yes, you can be a member of the cabin crew if you have asthma, provided that your condition is well-controlled and does not interfere with your ability to perform safety-critical duties. During the recruitment process, all prospective flight attendants must pass a comprehensive medical examination. If you disclose asthma, the airline's medical examiner will typically require a report from your doctor or a lung function test to ensure you are fit to fly. The primary concern for airlines is the "hypoxic" environment of a pressurized cabin, where oxygen levels are lower than at sea level, which can occasionally trigger respiratory distress in sensitive individuals. As long as you can manage your asthma with standard inhalers and have not had a severe, debilitating attack or hospitalization in the recent past, you are generally eligible for the role. However, you must be able to demonstrate that you can perform physically demanding tasks—such as fighting an onboard fire or assisting in an emergency evacuation—while wearing a protective breathing diaphragm. Most airlines consider well-managed asthma a manageable condition rather than a disqualifying disability, but individual airline health standards can vary slightly.

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People with severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may need onboard oxygen or supplemental oxygen to adapt to reduced air pressure in airplane cabins. (Airplane cabins are pressurized for high altitudes, which means there is less oxygen in the air during the flight.)

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Aspiring cabin crew is also subjected to drug tests and sometimes alcohol tests to discover any substance abuse issues. Speech defects are not accepted. Any candidate with anemia, epilepsy, diabetes or such will not be considered fit to fly.

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Some studies suggest that respiratory symptoms and diseases including irritated, stuffy or runny nose, dry throat, chest illness, cold or flu, wheezing, and chronic bronchitis are more common in flight attendants than other workers.

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Pharmaceutical Considerations: The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes – this includes all antidepressant drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

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To our knowledge, we have conducted the largest study characterizing the overall health of flight attendants relative to the general population. Consistent with previous studies, we report a higher prevalence of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, as well as reproductive and all cancers.

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Having a lung condition should not stop you from travelling by air. Whether you are going on holiday, a business trip or a visit to family and friends, it should be possible to make the necessary arrangements - as long as you plan ahead.

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Cabin crew don't want to have to worry when they are away on trips. They will schedule their chores for an off day and allow plenty of rest time, especially when working long-haul flights. Some crew may plan their shopping whilst down route or shop online in advance for their return home.

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Upon hire, new Flight Attendants must go through the individual airline's training for certification. Sadly, most new hires fail airline training before ever making it to the tarmac. However, our graduates have a head start, and most go on to get hired by some of the top airline companies in the world.

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Flight attendants feel pressured to meet beauty standards, resulting in extreme measures like plastic surgery and drug use, and even flying while on psychotic medication during emergencies. Flight attendants are vulnerable to exploitation and lack the ability to confront influential passengers.

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Scientists have done the math, and it turns out that frequent fliers actually age the tiniest bit more quickly than people with both feet on the ground. But not to worry, the difference is so small, you don't have to worry about extra wrinkles.

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While there is no specific weight requirement to be cabin crew, one flight attendant revealed that staff must be able to fit into a plane seat with the seatbelt on, which is adjustable.

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Choose a seat in the middle of the plane. As the air circulates across the rows and not up and down the plane, some experts believe the worst air is in the front or the back of the plane. Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids (water or fruit juice) and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which will dehydrate you.

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Can you make a living as a flight attendant? Yes, you can make a decent living as a flight attendant. The median salary is $61,640 per year and there are many opportunities to make more than that based on your experience level, the airline you work for and even your geographic location.

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Fatigue, Sleep, and Mental Health The FAHS found an increased prevalence of adverse sleep and mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse among flight attendants (13). Fatigue and depression are symptoms that often coexist (35,36).

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Flight attendants are about average in terms of happiness. At CareerExplorer , we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, flight attendants rate their career happiness 3.3 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 43% of careers.

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