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How do I become a flight attendant in a foreign country?

You must obtain your Federal Aviation Administration certification before you can work as a flight attendant. You must have a valid passport since you be going abroad for work. Airlines may have height requirements that you must meet to work for them.



Becoming a flight attendant for an airline based in a foreign country requires navigating a complex mix of visa regulations, language requirements, and residency laws. Most international carriers, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad, hire globally and often hold "Open Day" recruitment events in major cities worldwide. For these airlines, they typically handle the work visa and housing for you if you are hired. However, if you wish to work for a domestic carrier in a country like the UK, France, or Australia, you must usually possess the legal right to work in that country beforehand, as many regional airlines do not sponsor visas for cabin crew roles. Proficiency in the local language is almost always mandatory, alongside fluent English. You must also meet specific physical requirements, such as a minimum "reach height" (to access safety equipment) and the ability to pass a rigorous medical and background check. The process generally involves an online application, a video interview, an assessment day with group exercises, and a final one-on-one interview. Once hired, you will undergo an intensive training program (usually 6-8 weeks) covering safety, first aid, and service standards before you are officially "winged" and allowed to fly as a member of the crew.

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Under European Regulations, to be cabin crew you must have a Cabin Crew Attestation. To get this, you will need to complete a Cabin Crew Initial Training Course. This includes 9 topics giving you an overview of the role and the industry. By completing our training, opportunities for your employment are increased.

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Airlines in the United States require flight attendants to be U.S. citizens, have permanent resident status, or have valid work visas.

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How can I increase my chances of becoming a flight attendant?
  1. Get the Requirements.
  2. Wait till Your 21st Birthday.
  3. Finish High School.
  4. Experience in Customer Service.
  5. Maintain a Good and Fit Physique.
  6. Prepare a Winning Resume.
  7. You'll Need Good Pictures.
  8. Get to Know the Airline Company.


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Top companies for Flight Attendants in United States
  • Delta Air Lines. 4.2 $34.76per hour. 4,825 reviews162 salaries reported.
  • American Airlines. 3.9 $33.65per hour. ...
  • United Airlines. 3.9 $33.42per hour. ...
  • Alaska Airlines. 3.8 $31.30per hour. ...
  • Southwest Airlines. 4.2 $29.36per hour. ...
  • Show more companies.


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Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.

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But there is a lot of variation in this; as explained, additional perks may significantly affect the amount a new flight attendant earns. However, in any case, you will certainly make a reasonable living. And the highest-paid flight attendants earn $60,000 or more.

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For those interested in becoming a flight attendant, you have to first apply to various airlines and get hired. If you get the gig, you then take their three-to-six week intensive training course.

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The minimum height on most European airlines is 157cm. Some airlines will consider exceptions (within reason) for applicants with previous cabin crew experience.

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For aspiring flight attendants, Delta Air Lines, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job. It's harder to get invited to Delta flight attendant training than it is to get into Harvard University.

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Prior to Covid-19, it is estimated that there were 1,500,000 flight attendant applications for only a few thousand positions. The odds of getting hired was less than 1%.

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The most important point to clear up is that airline employees do pay for their travel unless they are commuting for work. Even though they may not be responsible for covering the airfare that you would normally pay to fly, they are responsible for paying the taxes and fees on their tickets.

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Typically, flight attendants work 12-14 days and log 65-85 flight hours each month, not including overtime. Flight attendant schedules can change month-to-month and some attendants may work more weeks than others.

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Do flight attendants get free hotel accommodation? Yes, flight attendants often receive complimentary hotel stays during layovers (also called a stopover) as part of their job benefits. However, this only applies when the flight attendants are on duty and are required to layover in a different city or country.

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How Old Is Too Old To Become A Flight Attendant? As long as you are in good shape, you will never be too old to be a flight attendant. Airlines hire flight attendants in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60+ years of age. Many flight attendants start after retirement as a second career.

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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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How Old Is Too Old To Become A Flight Attendant? As long as you are in good shape, you will never be too old to be a flight attendant. Airlines hire flight attendants in their 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60+ years of age. Many flight attendants start after retirement as a second career.

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