You’re standing in a drafty hangar or a sterile hotel ballroom at 7:00 AM, wearing a polyester blazer that’s just a hair too tight, wondering if your lipstick is the "right" shade of red. This is the reality of the Open Day. If you want to know how to get a job as a stewardess, you have to stop thinking about the travel and start thinking about the service. It’s a common mistake. People see the Instagram photos of crews in Santorini or Tokyo and think the job is about being a professional tourist. It isn't.
It’s about safety. Honestly, it’s about being a firefighter, a nurse, and a waitress all rolled into one, while hurtling through the air at thirty thousand feet.
The term "stewardess" is actually a bit old-school—most airlines officially use "Flight Attendant" or "Cabin Crew"—but the essence of the role hasn't changed. Airlines like Emirates, Delta, and Qatar Airways are looking for a very specific type of person. They don't just want "nice." They want "resilient." You've got to be the kind of person who can smile at someone who is screaming at you because the chicken pasta ran out, all while mentally rehearsing the steps for an emergency water landing.
The Physicality and the Requirements Nobody Mentions
Most people check the basic boxes: 18 or 21 years old, high school diploma, and the ability to swim. But there is a lot more to it. You have to pass a reach test. Usually, this means being able to reach 210cm or 212cm on your tiptoes. Why? Because if you can't reach the emergency equipment in the overhead bins, you’re a liability.
Then there’s the medical. You’ll be poked and prodded more than you’d expect. Airlines check your vision, your hearing, and your spinal health. Long hours of standing and the constant pressure changes of flying can wreak havoc on a body that isn't prepared for it. Some airlines, particularly the Middle Eastern carriers like Etihad, have very strict rules about visible tattoos. If it’s on your wrist, your neck, or your ankles, you might be out of luck unless it can be 100% covered by the uniform.
How to Get a Job as a Stewardess When You Have Zero Experience
You don't need a degree in "Aviation Science." In fact, most airlines prefer people who have worked in high-end hospitality or customer service. If you’ve spent two years working a busy bar or a chaotic reception desk at a Hilton, you are already ahead of the curve.
Recruiters love "transferable skills."
Can you handle cash? Can you de-escalate a drunk customer? Do you show up on time? Aviation is an industry built on the "on-time performance" metric. If you’re five minutes late for your shift, the plane doesn't wait. You're grounded.
The Resume That Actually Gets Read
Stop using those generic templates you found on a random blog. Keep it clean. Use a professional photo if the airline asks for one—and many international carriers do. This isn't a selfie. It’s a well-lit, professional headshot where you look approachable and groomed.
- Highlight your language skills. If you speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic, put that at the very top.
- Focus on "Safety" and "Service." Use those words.
- Quantify your experience. "Managed a floor of 50 tables" sounds way better than "Served food."
The Brutal Reality of the Interview Process
The interview process is usually a gauntlet. It starts with a video interview or an Open Day. If you survive that, you go to an Assessment Day. This is where they watch you like a hawk.
They’ll put you in a group and give you a task, like "Decide which five passengers get to stay on an overbooked flight." Here’s a secret: they don't care who you pick. They care how you talk to the other candidates. If you’re too bossy, you’re out. If you’re too quiet, you’re out. They want to see "team players."
I once saw a girl get cut because she rolled her eyes when another candidate was speaking. One tiny gesture. That was it.
Dressing the Part
You need to look like you already have the job. This means a "business professional" look. Think pencil skirts or tailored trousers, a crisp white shirt, and hair tied back in a neat bun. No loose strands. No crazy jewelry. It’s a bit conservative, sure, but the airline industry is conservative. They want to see that you can represent their brand.
Training is the Real Filter
Getting the job offer is just the beginning. Then comes the six to eight weeks of intensive training. You’ll head to the airline’s headquarters—maybe Dubai, maybe Atlanta—and study 12 hours a day. You have to pass every exam with a 90% or higher. If you fail a "door drill" twice? You're sent home.
You’ll learn how to fight fires in a smoke-filled cabin. You’ll learn how to deliver a baby. You’ll learn how to survive in the woods or the desert in case the plane goes down. It’s grueling. People cry. People quit. But if you make it through, you get your wings.
Life on the Line
Once you're flying, the "lifestyle" kicks in. It’s not all glamour. You’ll be jet-lagged. You’ll miss birthdays and Christmases. You’ll spend Tuesday nights in a Marriott in Omaha or a budget hotel in London.
The pay for junior crew isn't always great, either. Most airlines pay "block hours," which means you only get paid from the moment the plane door closes to the moment it opens. The time you spend boarding passengers? Usually unpaid or paid at a much lower rate. You have to be okay with that trade-off for the chance to see the world.
🔗 Read more: Why the Map of US to Europe is Actually Lying to You
Different Airlines, Different Vibes
- The Big Three (US): Delta, United, American. Good benefits, seniority-based schedules.
- The Middle Eastern Giants: Emirates, Qatar, Etihad. High standards, tax-free salary, provided housing in the UAE or Qatar.
- Budget Carriers: Ryanair, Southwest, EasyJet. You’re home more often, but you work more "legs" per day.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
- Get Your Passport Ready: It needs to have at least 12–18 months of validity left.
- Update Your Resume: Focus heavily on customer service and any "safety-first" roles you’ve had.
- Practice Your Reach: Can you hit 212cm? If not, start stretching.
- Audit Your Social Media: Recruiters check. If you have photos of yourself being unprofessional, set your accounts to private.
- Check Job Portals Daily: Airlines like Emirates and Delta post openings and then close them within days because of the volume of applicants.
- Find a Mentor: Look for current crew on LinkedIn or YouTube. They can give you the "inside track" on what that specific airline is currently prioritizing.
Winning a spot in the cabin is about persistence. Many people apply five or six times before they get in. It's about refining your "persona" until it matches what the airline needs: a calm, professional, and endlessly patient presence in the sky.
Start by researching the "Base" locations of the airlines you're interested in, as moving is often a non-negotiable part of the contract. Once you've identified where you're willing to live, tailor your application to that specific carrier's values, whether that's the luxury service of Singapore Airlines or the efficiency of a low-cost carrier. Be prepared for a long wait after the initial application, as the background check and security clearance can take months. Your goal is to remain "flight-ready" from the moment you hit submit.