Flight attendants help passengers on both commercial and corporate carriers. These specialists perform a wide range of activities that start before the flight takes off and continue until each passenger arrives safely at their destination.
Understanding the broadness of a flight attendant’s job will help you decide if it is a good fit for your lifestyle. In this article, we will look at how to become an international flight attendant.
What is an International Flight Attendant
An International Flight Attendant is a professional who oversees the safety and comfort of passengers aboard international flights. They receive rigorous training and are knowledgeable about emergency protocols, medical help, and cultural understanding.
Their responsibilities include doing safety checks, providing lunch services, and dealing with various emergency and non-emergency circumstances. They are in charge of ensuring communication between the flight deck and cabin, displaying safety procedures, and organizing crew briefings.
They work with a varied range of employees and clients to ensure that FAA laws and safety standards are met. International flight attendants frequently exceed customers’ expectations by anticipating their requirements and giving exceptional service.
How to Become an International Flight Attendant
1. Explore international flight attendant education requirements
A high school diploma or its equivalent is usually the minimum educational requirement for working as an international flight attendant. However certain airlines can demand or prefer that you have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
Experts in the field say that business, psychology, communication, hotel management, and English are the most popular degrees among prospective international flight attendants.
Also, several airlines want travel and tourism accreditation. SUNY Farmingdale, University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, Baylor University, and California State University – Bakersfield are among the best universities for those who want to work as international flight attendants.
2. Start to develop specific international flight attendant skills
A broad variety of scenarios require international flight attendants to be ready. They need to be capable of managing both emergency and non-emergency circumstances with efficiency, as well as finishing safety inspections and security sweeps on board.
They also have to produce regular reports and give medical and emergency procedures while in flight. To treat every client with respect, they also need to be proficient in globally recognized first-class service and capable of handling cultural differences.
| Skills | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Passenger Safety | 22.69% |
| Emergency Procedures | 13.33% |
| CPR | 9.82% |
| Customer Service | 4.69% |
| Emergency Equipment | 3.80% |
| Non-Emergency Situations | 3.71% |
3. Complete Relevant International Flight Attendant Internships and Training
The typical amount of time accountants spend receiving on-the-job training after hiring is less than one month. During this period, newly hired foreign flight attendants acquire the abilities and methods necessary for their position and employer.
The following chart illustrates the duration required to become a competent international flight attendant, including data from actual international flight attendant resumes as well as statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
4. Research International Flight Attendant Roles and Responsibilities
There are different responsibilities for international flight attendants. They make sure passengers are comfortable, perform security sweeps and safety inspections, and offer medical aid when necessary. They are also in charge of keeping the flight deck and cabin in communication, ensuring that visitors are happy, and effectively managing emergency circumstances.
- Offer medical support, CPR, first aid, first emergency response, and assistance to uneasy, sick, or anxious travelers.
- Help physically challenged travelers when necessary; give sick or disabled passengers life-saving care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary.
5. Prepare Your International Flight Attendant Resume
When your experience is sufficient, you can begin composing your international flight attendant resume.
You can use AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also ensuring that you include important details that hiring managers look for on an international flight attendant resume.
6. Apply for International Flight Attendant Jobs
Now is the time to look for a career as an international flight attendant. Consider the following tips for a successful job search.
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to firms you’re interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
7. Pass Your Flight Attendant Interview
Before starting training, prospective flight attendants must pass their interview. This covers a background investigation and drug test. Flight attendants must have proportionate height and weight and be tall enough to reach overhead bins.
Employers often evaluate prospective flight attendants via video interviews. These could be live or dead. When doing a video interview, pay close attention to your surroundings and ensure that the setting is orderly and peaceful.
To get a nice, steady shot, position the camera at eye level and in a sturdy spot. It’s best to dress conservatively because airlines value a polished appearance. The majority forbid visible tattoos, facial piercings, and hair color changes.
8. Complete the Airline’s Training Program
Flight attendants are trained for three to six weeks by the airlines. During the course of the program, you will normally spend eight hours a day in training.
You will be ready to handle in-flight emergencies, use airport codes, make PA announcements, and carry out regular job activities after completing this program. As part of the curriculum, you will conduct about four supervised test flights.
A successful completion of your training is required to work as a flight attendant. Ninety percent is the minimum required by most airlines.
Flight attendants receive exceptional travel benefits. Some airlines provide free standby flights to both employees and their spouses, children, or other family. Those who cannot fly for free often receive significantly discounted airfare. Discounts on hotels, rental vehicles, and cruises are frequently available.