Flight Attendant

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Work Tasks

• Make sure passengers are safe and comfortable during a flight
• Greet passengers, help them find their seats, answer questions, and show them how to use safety equipment
• Serve snacks, drinks, and meals
• Help get passengers off the aircraft in emergencies
• Work in the passenger cabins of commercial aircraft, and for large companies that have their own business aircraft
• Work with food, beverages, tickets, safety equipment, books, blankets, pillows, luggage, pre- and post-flight reports, and first aid equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $61,000 average per year ($29.25 per hour)
• A medium occupation (88,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma and on-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year college degree and experience dealing with the public
• Skills/Courses: On flights to another country, flight attendants must speak the language of both countries. Speaking two other languages is helpful.
• Licensing/Certification: Airlines are required to train flight attendants in Federal Aviation Regulations.