No, you don't need to be traditionally "attractive," but you do need to maintain a professional, polished, and well-groomed appearance with good hygiene, clear skin, and neat hair/makeup (if worn) to look presentable and confident, as airlines prioritize skills like communication, problem-solving, and safety over modeling looks, though presentation is key. A warm smile, pleasant demeanor, and ability to connect with people are more crucial than being a model, focusing on being smart and approachable rather than a specific "beauty" standard.
PERMANENT DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES
Treason or conspiracy to commit treason. A federal crime of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2332b(g), or comparable State law, or conspiracy to commit such crime. A crime involving a TSI (transportation security incident).
The 35/7 rule for flight attendants limits Reserve Flight Attendants to a maximum of 35 flight hours in any seven consecutive days, primarily for scheduling purposes to manage fatigue and ensure safety, although actual operations can sometimes exceed this if waivers are used and regulations are met. While Lineholders often work to a 30/7 (30 hours in 7 days) limit, they can also complete trips exceeding 35 hours if they waive the rule. This rule, alongside recent FAA mandates for longer rest periods (like 10 hours after 14-hour shifts), aims to provide adequate recovery for cabin crews.
Each airline has their own flight attendant requirements: 4'11″-6'4” tall – Many airlines have more restrictive height requirements. Apply for a free height evaluation. Tattoos – flight attendant requirements for tattoos are different for each airline.
No, there is no such weight requirement to become a cabin crew. They check your BMI ie Body Mass Index. Your weight should be proportionate to your height. BMI is the ratio of a person's weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters.
As a replacement, Flight attendants are required to have a neat and attractive appearance. This includes having healthy skin, well-groomed hair, and clothing that meets airline standards. However, This does not mean that only individuals with a certain appearance can become flight attendants.
Ability to sit in the flight attendant jumpseat without modification; walk comfortably down the aisle facing forward and fit quickly through the overwing exits.
Medical & Fitness Issues
Airlines require good eyesight (with or without correction) and normal hearing. Must have stable blood pressure and no major health issues. Ability to handle long flights, jet lag, and irregular schedules. Conditions like severe asthma, skin allergies, or heart issues can be disqualifying.
I don't think there are any airlines left that make you step on a scale (most of these went away in the 90's). But they do have fit tests, Must be able to sit in the jumpseats with the seatbelts fastened and no modifications or extenders. Must also fit on your part of the jumpseat comfortably.
Essential Grooming Tips for Air Hostesses: A Complete Guide for Students
With experience, senior flight attendants may make around $80,287 annually, and some can earn as much as $115,000 or more per year. Pay is typically hourly and starts when the aircraft door closes, meaning preflight work (like boarding and prep) is often unpaid.
While height is often associated with the ability to become a flight attendant, it's not just about physical appearance—it's about ensuring safety and accessibility for both the crew and passengers.
9/11 flight attendants' last words included Betty Ann Ong's "Pray for us" and Madeline Sweeney's "Oh my God, we're flying way too low," relayed during their final calls from American Airlines Flight 11, providing crucial info to ground crews before the plane hit the North Tower; CeeCee Lyles on Flight 93 left a message saying, "I love you," before passengers fought back.
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.
Our uniform standards require a groomed look where hair and makeup should meet a professional standard. Long hair must be tied back, so that it is not higher than the top of the head, or longer than the base of the collar. Dyed hair must be of a natural colour.
Flight crew are exposed to many physical and psychosocial stressors, such as cosmic ionizing radiation, jet fuel, engine oils and brominated compounds in the aircraft cabin, hypoxic air, higher ozone levels, stressful interactions with passengers, hypoxia/reduced oxygenation, and potentially severe circadian rhythm ...
Training — Partially Virtual
Ground school consists of classroom and cabin simulator training. IOE is part of training that will include flying with a qualified instructor on our revenue flights. Training lasts approximately one month. All portions of ground school training are unpaid.
There is no need to be slim to be cabin crew. The best cabin crew are many different shapes. The most important thing is to be a healthy weight for your height and some airlines have requirements regarding Body Mass Indexes (BMI) ranges, but also many do not at all.
As a Flight Attendant Trainee at American, you'll begin your journey with a comprehensive 6 week unpaid training program that equips you to become a certified safety professional, service expert, and trusted representative of our brand.
(13) Each certificate holder conducting domestic, flag, or supplemental operations must relieve each flight attendant engaged in air transportation and each commercial operator must relieve each flight attendant engaged in air commerce from all further duty for at least 24 consecutive hours during any 7 consecutive ...
When you work in the sky, your appearance speaks a lot about your airline. Passengers remember and trust cabin crew who are always neat, well-groomed, and have a friendly smile. Looking good is not just about beauty. It shows your discipline, confidence, and respect for your job.
From handling tough passengers to dealing with unexpected situations, here are some of the hardest parts of being a cabin crew member.
While there isn't a strict, universal weight requirement for cabin crew, airlines generally expect candidates to maintain a healthy weight and BMI (Body Mass Index). A common range for females is a BMI between 18 and 22, and for males, 18 and 25.
Example of ideal body weight calculation
As of Jan 2, 2026, the average annual pay for a Cabin Crew Flight Attendant in California is $46,462 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $22.34 an hour. This is the equivalent of $893/week or $3,871/month.