Qualifications and training required
Personal qualities, appearance and good health and fitness are normally more important than academic qualifications, although many airlines do ask for at least five GCSEs (including English and Maths) at grade C or above. A degree in any subject is acceptable, although a nursing, travel, tourism, leisure or languages qualifications may be helpful. Work with the public, or experience gained within nursing, catering, the hotel, tourism or travel trades is usually necessary.
Most airlines require cabin staff to complete a training course covering such things as safety procedures, legal/immigration issues and customer service upon entry to the organisation. A range of preliminary training courses are also available, which introduce students to skills and recruitment processes. Such courses often have useful links to major recruiters and can be an advantage, but do not guarantee entry to the profession.