Male flight attendants are called hosts while female ones are referred to as hostesses. Cabin crew is selected in accordance with the certain rules of aviation organizations and they are also subjected to the rules set by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation.

In 2026, the universally accepted and professional term for a male (or female) crew member in the cabin is "Flight Attendant." The older terms "steward" and "stewardess" were officially phased out by most major airlines in the 1970s and 80s to move toward a gender-neutral, safety-focused title. However, in some regions or among older generations, you may still hear the term "Steward" or even the casual "Cabin Crew." On some high-end Middle Eastern and Asian carriers like Emirates or Singapore Airlines, the term "Purser" is used to describe the senior male (or female) flight attendant who is in charge of the entire cabin crew team for that flight. In 2026, it is considered most polite and professional to simply refer to them as "Flight Attendant" or "Crew Member." Their role has evolved significantly; while they were once seen primarily as "hospitality staff," their primary 2026 training is focused on aviation safety, emergency medical response, and security, with the meal and drink service being a secondary, albeit more visible, part of their duty to ensure a safe and orderly flight.