To become cabin crew or a flight attendant does not require any formal qualifications. However, this could vary by airline, so please check this before applying, to understand the eligibility criteria. You will be required to be able to demonstrate a number of vital skills and qualities to be successful. For example, as this is a customer facing role you will be required to have excellent communication and customer service skills. You will also be required to remain calm under pressure when faced with difficult situations with passengers. Another vital factor of the role is be able to follow rules and procedures, as you and the rest of the crew are responsible for the safety of the passengers and aircraft.

As a newly appointed cabin crew member, you will start on a low salary, usually the minimum wage in the UK. However, with experience and promotion ti senior cabin crew you could earn up to £30,000. The average salary of UK cabin crew/flight attendant is £22,400

It is possible to undertake a cabin crew advanced apprenticeship. This will take 12 months to complete and will involve a mixture of classroom and on the job training. To eligible to enter via this route you will be required to have 5 GCSEs grade A to C.

The majority of airlines will ask you to sit a general knowledge test and a mathematics test. These are usually multiple choice in nature and the pass mark is approximately 70%.

Make sure you check with the airline first to confirm which tests you are required to sit.

The mathematics test includes basic forms of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The general knowledge test is exactly that, a test of your general knowledge.

The most effective way to prepare for the mathematics test is to practice basic arithmetic questions. As a cabin crew member, you will be required to perform basic mathematical sums during flights and when dealing with customers change.

Some airlines will ask you to sit a general knowledge test as part of their selection process. The pass mark can vary but it is usually around the 70% mark.

The type and nature of the questions that you will be asked during this test vary, however the general type of questions will be centred around current affairs, political issues, capitals, currencies and ‘who’s who’ questions.

• • • Currency and currency conversions.
    • Capitals of major cities.
    • Airport locations and terminals.
    • Countries.
    • The 24 hour clock.
    • Duty free allowances.
    • Airline industry/time abbreviations – EU, UCT, BAA, GMT etc.

Team assessments form another integral part of the cabin crew selection process. The airline recruitment staff will be looking for candidates to demonstrate specific qualities throughout the team assessment. During the assessment, you will be given a scenario to deal with and you’ll have to decide amongst yourselves the most appropriate method of resolving the issue.

During the assessment, you will often see candidates fighting to get their views across. Many candidates will start talking over the top of other people, but this is not the best way to approach the assessment. This is where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate you have the right qualities to work as part of a team and come up with answers to problems.

The solution or answer that the team come up with doesn’t have to be the right one. However, the panel are looking for you come up with a logical solution.

Here’s an example of what a team assessment might look like:

TEAM BRIEFING

An important guest will be arriving the following day at your airline’s headquarters and he has requested a selection of food to be available. He is a major shareholder within the company. Your task is to discuss amongst yourselves what would be the most appropriate choice of food and refreshments from the list below. You have 30 minutes to complete the task. Please indicate why you chose your selection:

• • • Roast Dinner;
    • Fish and Chips;
    • A selection of cold meats, salads, vegetables and fruit;
    • A hot buffet including selection of wines and non alcoholic drinks.

During this stage of the cabin crew selection process you will be assessed against the following key areas:

AREA NUMBER 1 – INVOLVING OTHERS

AREA NUMBER 2 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS

AREA NUMBER 3 – POSITIVE TEAM WORKING

AREA NUMBER 4 – MAKING POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS

AREA NUMBER 5 – PROVIDE POSITIVE FEEDBACK

AREA NUMBER 6 – EFFECTIVE BODY LANGUAGE

AREA NUMBER 7 – BUILD ON IDEAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

Make sure you consider all of the above assessable areas when taking part in the team assessments.