What does Delta want in a flight attendant?

Outstanding flight attendants are safety- and customer-centric professionals who love to be on the go, help others, and enjoy variety in your work. You should be excited at the prospect of solving problems and going above and beyond assuring our passengers leave with a positive experience.



Delta Air Lines is famously selective, often cited as having a lower acceptance rate than Harvard. For their 2026 hiring classes, Delta is looking for candidates who embody their "Rules of the Road" values: integrity, resilience, and a "servant leadership" mindset. Beyond the basic requirements—being at least 21 years old, having a high school diploma, and possessing a valid passport—Delta prioritizes "emotional intelligence" and the ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor during high-stress safety situations. They look for "world-class service" experience, meaning they value candidates who can anticipate passenger needs before they are voiced. Bilingual skills (Language of Destination) are also a major competitive advantage. During the interview process, which includes virtual job tryouts and "Event Day" in Atlanta, Delta evaluates how well you work in a team and your commitment to the airline's "Safety First, Always" culture.

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Our culture is rooted in a shared commitment to living our values – Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Perseverance and Servant Leadership – every day, in everything we do.

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Flight attendants need poise, tact, and resourcefulness to handle stressful situations and to address passengers' needs. Decision-making skills. Flight attendants must be able to act decisively, especially in emergencies.

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Getting a job at Delta Air Lines is very hard. Jennifer Carpenter, the head of talent acquisition at Delta Air lines, recently had an interview with CBS News where she mentioned that only 0.5 percent of flight attendant applicants get hired.

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What are the odds of getting hired as a Delta flight attendant? Getting a job at Delta Air Lines is very hard. Jennifer Carpenter, the head of talent acquisition at Delta Air lines, recently had an interview with CBS News where she mentioned that only 0.5 percent of flight attendant applicants get hired.

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“There are many qualities that make someone a good flight attendant. The top three are customer service, teamwork, and professionalism. Our primary job is to make sure the passenger has a good experience. Everything you do on a flight involves at least two, if not more team members.

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It's difficult and can take a long time. Airlines can take 3-6 months to get through the hiring process, that's if your resume makes it through the first cut. Intense Competition. We estimate there are 1 – 1.5 million flight attendant applications for 5,000 – 10,000 jobs.

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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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A blouse with jacket and skirt or slacks is best. If you wear a skirt it should not be too tight or too short. The colors of choice are blue, black, gray, or brown.

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As everyone at Delta knows, to become a flight attendant takes more than a desire to travel. It requires technical knowledge – like memorizing the configurations of nine different planes and learning how to operate 16 different door and window variations – and a desire to care for customers.

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Which airlines pays flight attendants the most
  • JetBlue and Southwest Airlines pay flight attendants the most, starting at $32,000 and $30,000 each.
  • For experienced flight attendants seeking higher earnings, JetBlue and Alaskan Airlines offer top salaries.
  • The airlines pay an average salary between $103,000-$113,000.


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Flight Attendant Resume Must-Haves. To make your flight attendant resume shine above the competition, be sure to highlight your customer service experience, physical capabilities and endurance, positive attitude, communication, and leadership skills, as well as any previous aviation or safety experience you might have.

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“Education and experience is important. Airlines are also looking for people who are not just qualified in terms of height and looks, they also want crew members who have customer relations and service background,” she said. This is what additional training can provide.

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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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Here are 11 tips to help you have a successful flight attendant interview:
  1. Keep your resume updated. ...
  2. Find a clean, quiet room for video interviews. ...
  3. Dress appropriately. ...
  4. Check your social media. ...
  5. Practice interviewing. ...
  6. Arrive early. ...
  7. Stay organized. ...
  8. Be friendly.


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It's a physical job, but not all flight attendants must be slim and trim. You do, however, have to fit into the flight attendant jumpseat. Flight attendants have no set weight requirements, as body types can vary even if two people are the same height and weight.

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For example, you might use a word like kind, patient, determined or resilient. Consider using your third selection to explain some of your unique qualities. For example, you can use a word like adventurous, generous, resourceful, outgoing or thoughtful.

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WHAT'S REQUIRED TO BE A DELTA FLIGHT ATTENDANT? Applicants must have a high school diploma, GED or high school equivalency, the ability to work in the U.S., speak, read and write English fluently and be at least 21 years of age at the time of application submission.

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