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Can you be cabin crew with asthma?

Asthma has to be clinically stable before a pilot or cabin crew member can return to performing aviation safety related duties.



Yes, it is entirely possible to work as cabin crew with asthma, provided the condition is well-controlled and does not interfere with your ability to perform safety duties in a high-altitude environment. During the mandatory pre-employment medical assessment, an Aeromedical Examiner (AME) or occupational health specialist will review your medical history and current treatment plan. Generally, if you only require an occasional "reliever" inhaler (like Albuterol) and have not had a severe attack or hospitalization in recent years, you will likely be cleared as "fit to fly." However, if your asthma is severe, requires frequent steroid use, or is triggered by factors common in an aircraft cabin (such as dry air or physical exertion during emergencies), it may be a cause for concern. Airlines are particularly focused on your ability to assist passengers during a cabin depressurization or fire, where air quality could drop. You will usually be required to provide a report from your GP confirming your lung function (Spirometry) results and that you have a stable management plan. As long as you can demonstrate that your asthma is stable and manageable, most major airlines will welcome you to the team.

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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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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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Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners 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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Low air pressure during air travel also decreases the amount of oxygen in the air. This effect is modest and generally not noticeable for healthy travelers. For patients with significant lung disease, a small decrease in available oxygen can cause significant symptoms, especially with exercise.

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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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Most airlines require a 90% passing grade on all exams during new hire training. Only 60% of new-hire flight attendants make it through new-hire training. Only 50% survive the first year of employment. Each airline receives an average of 2,500 flight attendant job applications per month.

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Good news is that yes, you can wear either glasses or contact lenses while working as a Flight Attendant! However, there is some bad news as well. Your vision needs to meet certain standards, so if your vision is too bad without glasses or lenses, unfortunately, airlines won't accept your application.

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You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

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Most people with a lung condition can travel safely on planes, but you should talk to your doctor before you make any plans. You may need a fitness-to-fly (hypoxic challenge) test to confirm whether you need in-flight oxygen.

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This initial assessment will then be viable for up to 5 years, at which point it will need renewing. Once your medical expires, you are no longer authorised to operate as cabin crew and must book your renewal medical as soon as you can if you want to continue flying.

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