Depending on the airline, flight attendant qualifications may vary. Most airlines, however, will usually require their flight attendants to have completed high school, and maybe some college. They should also have excellent communication and customer-service skills. Flight attendants should also be in excellent physical shape, with no history of drug or alcohol abuse. Many airlines also prefer that their flight attendants have a passport for international travel.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills are often believed to be the most important flight attendant qualifications. Members of an airline cabin crew are often thought to be the face of the airline. They will usually interact with airline passengers more than any other airline employee. A flight attendant must have a friendly and confident demeanor, and she must also demonstrate leadership qualities and problem solving abilities.
Communication skills are also typically considered important flight attendant qualifications. A person should be able to speak, read, and write in the native language of the majority of the airline's passengers. For example, airlines in the United States will only usually hire people fluent in English. Being fluent in a second language may also be helpful, but this is not usually one of the main flight attendant qualifications.
Someone interested in becoming a flight attendant will usually need a high school diploma or an equivalent of a high school diploma. A few airlines may also prefer that future flight attendants have a college degree as well. Degrees are not usually required, though, and they are not usually considered to be professional qualifications for flight attendants.
Good physical health is another important qualification for becoming a flight attendant. Most airlines require job candidates to undergo a complete physical examination before being hired. Applicants with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes, may not be hired by some airlines. The ability to lift heavy objects, such as full pieces of luggage, is also usually necessary.
During the physical examination, a flight attendant applicant will also usually be given drug and alcohol tests. Most airlines will not hire people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse. A criminal background check will also usually be performed on an applicant. Most airlines will also not hire anyone with prior criminal convictions.
Passports may also be flight attendant qualifications in some airlines. This is usually true for large airlines that do a lot of international travel. Some small airlines, however, may also require that their flight attendants have passports.