How to Become an Airhostess

There is a certain glamour associated with certain jobs. Take the case of an air hostess or cabin crew in a commercial airline. Unlike other jobs where you start at a relatively late age after extended studies, in the case of an air hostess job, it is best to start young.

This post gives you detailed guidelines on how to start your journey on the path to becoming an air hostess right after completing your 12^th standard examination.

The Role of an Air Hostess

It is not all glamour and fun when you think of being an air hostess. There are serious responsibilities that an air hostess has to shoulder:

• Welcome passengers onboard.
• Make announcements when required.
• Provide excellent services to passengers at all times.
• Stay alert and be attentive to the needs of passengers.
• Ensure luggage is safely stored.
• Ensure passengers comply with airline safety rules and regulations.
• Be prepared for an emergency and tackle it efficiently.
• Interact with seniors and ensure everything goes off just right.
• Sell in-flight products, maintain records.
• Issue boarding passes.
• Carry out pre and post flight checks.

Eligibility Criteria After 12^th

In order to qualify for an air hostess training and job, a candidate must have the basic attributes:

• A candidate should have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in any stream from a recognized board.
• The age limit is minimum 17 years and maximum 26 years.
• Female candidates should be above 5 feet 2 inches in height and male candidates should be above 5 feet 7 inches.
• A candidate is expected to be physically fit, slim, within specified weight limits, and have perfect vision, pass cognitive tests, aural capabilities  with no hearing loss above 40dB at frequencies of 500Hz, 100 Hz, and 2000 Hz.
• Quick thinking.
• No body markings, tattoos, or piercing.
• No past record of mental illness.
• Pass DOT fingerprinting and drug screening test.
• A candidate must pass a written entrance examination.
• The training institute will conduct an interview.
• If a candidate passes the interview, he or she is selected for training.

 

Skills and Qualities Needed

In addition to the above, a candidate must also meet various other criteria:

• Excellent communication skills and ability to develop rapport.
• A pleasing personality and looks.
• Multilingual candidates are preferred.
• Empathy.
• Technical understanding of basics of aircraft operations.
• An ability to stay cool and collected when faced with problems.

 

How to Apply for Air Hostess

If you match most of the above requirements and have the confidence to work as an air hostess, you can apply for the job through several ways:

• Undergo training and get certified – this improves your chance of landing a job with better pay prospects.
• Airlines may advertise frequently for trainee or temporary or full time jobs—apply and undergo the process. Prepare a CV, keep photographs ready, and be prepared to travel to the designated place for a test and interview.
• You may even apply without any formal training since some airlines have in-house training facilities.
• You may even search for websites of airlines, go to their careers section, and send in your resume

 

How to Become an Air Hostess in India

The best way to start is when you are studying for the 12^th Boards exam and shortlist institutions that offer air hostess training, preferably recognized ones whose certificates have value.

• Visit the websites of such institutions and learn about the basic requirements. Start preparations early.
• Maintain a healthy routine and engage in physical exercise, and also work on communication skills, poise, and body language.
• Apply for admission to the course and prepare beforehand for the test and interview in order to pass and be chosen as a student.
• Complete the course and try to emerge with flying colors.
• Some institutions may offer placement services which makes it easy for you to become an intern air hostess.
• Join a course from an accredited institute that offers degree or diploma in hospitality or cabin crew training. Such institutes typically follow AIAEE, NCHMCT, JEE, or AEEE entrance exams, such as the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics or Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training.
• Otherwise, you can scan online job portals for air hostess jobs and visit airlines’ websites and view career openings, and submit your applications.
• You may pursue various courses such as a certificate course, a one year diploma course, or degree programs in aviation.

 

Become an Air Hostess Abroad

Commercial airlines flying internationally may have more stringent requirements. Understand their requirements and make attempts to obtain desired qualifications, and achieve the required skill levels before your apply for air hostess jobs on international airlines.

• Obtain required degree or diploma from a reputed and recognized institute.
• Pass language proficiency test such as TOEFL or IELTS. It is advisable to learn more foreign languages to improve your chances.
• You must have a passport valid for at least 12 months without any visa restrictions.

 

Interview Preparation

The interview is the crucial make or break point when you apply for an air hostess job. Prepare well:

• Read up all you can about the airline, its service model and general management approach.
• Practice with a family member or a friend or in front of a mirror.
• Read up on current events, about airlines, safety, and all related matter so that you can tackle any questions that come your way.
• Develop self confidence and poise.

 

Salary of an Air Hostess

Salaries can vary widely depending on the airline, your qualification, and your position.

You may start as an intern and expect a stipend of about Rs. 25000 to start with. Once you are inducted as a regular air hostess you are likely to start at Rs. 35000 per month.

 

In a year you could go up to Rs. 45000. After working for a couple of years you may expect your remuneration to rise to Rs. 75000 per month or more. In addition to salary, air hostesses receive compensation for flight hours and for extra hours worked so your take home package could be considerably more.

 

If you work for an international airline you may expect to receive about $20000 per year or more, depending on the airline.

 

FAQs

Is there any exam for an air hostess?

There are various courses starting with a few months’ certificate course to diploma and degree courses by recognized institutes. These institutes may require candidates to pass entrance exams such as AIAEE, JEE, AEEE, OR NCHMCT. Once you join the course, they will award the certificate or diploma or degree on your passing the necessary examinations.

 

Is 12th marks important for an air hostess?

The percentage is not absolutely critical as in engineering or medicine courses, but, in general, you should have a minimum of 50% overall marks in any stream.

 

How much percentage is required for an air hostess?

The basic requirement is 50%, but it is a given that if you have higher percentage you stand a better chance of being chosen.

 

Do air hostesses get free flights?

Depending on the airline you work for, you may become entitled to free flights on your vacation once a year and concessional rates for other times when you travel on personal business.

 

Is being an air hostess a permanent job?

Some airlines offer permanent jobs with opportunities for career advancement. Some airlines may induct newly qualified candidates as apprentices or trainees. Some airlines follow a policy of temporary hires or contract hires.

 

What is the salary of an air hostess?

Salary varies widely in the industry. Various airlines offer various pay grades and types of positions such as trainee, temporary, or contract jobs which pay less and do not offer job guarantee. In such cases a fresh candidate may start as an apprentice or trainee with a stipend of Rs. 15000 to Rs. 25000.

Once you join as an airhostess you could be paid Rs. 35000 or more. After a few years you could be looking at a remuneration of Rs. 75000 to Rs. 1.5 lakhs. In addition, air hostess receive free accommodation in designated hotels when they are on duty, compensation for flight hours and over time, as well as free food.