Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, typically 18 or 21; be eligible to work in the United States; have a valid passport; and pass a background check and drug test. They must have vision that is correctable to at least 20/40 and often need to conform to height requirements set by the airline.

The minimum age requirement for flight attendants varies by airline and region, but it is typically either 18 or 21 years old. In the United States, major "legacy" carriers like Delta and United generally require applicants to be at least 21 years old at the time of application, primarily because they serve alcohol on international routes and must comply with legal serving ages. However, several regional or low-cost airlines may hire candidates as young as 18 or 19. Outside the US, many international carriers follow a similar 18+ or 21+ rule. Beyond just the chronological age, airlines look for "maturity and life experience," often preferring candidates who have at least two years of customer service experience in high-pressure environments like hospitality or retail. By the time a candidate reaches the 21-year mark, they are often considered better equipped to handle the complex safety and security responsibilities required by the FAA and other global aviation authorities.