To become a flight attendant, you usually need a high school diploma and 1 or 2 years of customer service experience, then you apply to an airline and pass its checks. Once hired, the airline trains you for several weeks or a few months, and you must pass an exam to get the FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency before you fly as crew.
Here's the part many people get backwards: you don't get certified first and then apply. The airline hires you, trains you and puts you through the FAA certification. Flight attendant academies exist, but the certificate itself comes through your employer's training.
The requirements, pay and outlook below come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, read in October 2026.
Flight attendants in numbers
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $63,580 a year |
| Lowest 10% and highest 10% | Under $35,110 and over $136,430 |
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Jobs in 2025 | 133,700 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 9%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 18,500 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026. BLS adds that flight attendants receive an allowance for meals and accommodation while working away from home, and are generally eligible for discounted airfare or free standby seats through their airline.
The basic requirements
BLS lists what airlines typically ask for before they'll consider you:
- Minimum age, typically 18 or 21 depending on the airline.
- Eligibility to work in the United States and a valid passport.
- A background check and a drug test.
- Vision correctable to at least 20/40.
- Height requirements set by the airline, and sometimes a medical evaluation.
- A professional appearance, which the employer may define.
Some airlines prefer applicants who've taken college courses or have a degree, and those flying international routes may need fluency in a foreign language.
How to become a flight attendant, step by step
- Finish high school or get an equivalent.
- Build 1 or 2 years of customer service experience. BLS gives restaurants, hotels and resorts as examples, plus sales or any role with close contact with the public.
- Check each airline's age, height and document rules, and get your passport in order.
- Apply and interview. Expect a background check and drug test.
- Complete the airline's initial training, usually at its flight training center, for several weeks or a few months.
- Pass the exam and receive the FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency.
- Keep your certification with recurrent training every year.
What training covers
BLS says trainees learn emergency procedures such as evacuating an aircraft, operating emergency equipment and giving first aid, plus flight regulations, company operations and job duties. Towards the end, trainees go on practice flights, and they must complete the training to keep the job.
The insight people miss is that certification is tied to aircraft. BLS says flight attendants are certified for specific types of aircraft and must take new training for each type they'll work on. So if your airline adds a new aircraft type, you train again, on top of the annual recurrent training.
What the first years look like
This is the reality check. BLS says almost all flight attendants start out on call, known as reserve status, and those on reserve usually live near their home airport because they may have to report at short notice. Home base and routes are based on seniority, so new flight attendants need to be flexible about both.
Shifts can vary from 4 to 18 hours or longer on international flights, and the FAA requires set rest between duty periods. Nights, weekends and holidays are normal because airlines fly every day. Part-time work is common, and a union contract usually decides the total daily and monthly hours. As seniority grows, you get more control: some senior crew choose regional flights only or live away from their base and commute.
Getting the interview
Airlines hire for service skills first, so your CV and interview should be full of customer stories. Practise answering interview questions with confidence, especially the ones about handling difficult passengers. If you already work for an airline in another role, this guide to remote jobs for airline staff shows other routes into the industry. And if you're curious about routes and aircraft types before you apply, a flight tracker app is a fun way to learn the network.
What airlines look for in people
Service roles are the best preparation. BLS says experience in sales or any job with close contact with the public helps you build the skills flight attendants need. In practice that means staying calm with frustrated customers, working as a team and following procedures exactly. Some prospective attendants also enrol in flight attendant academies before they apply, though BLS is clear that the FAA certification comes through the airline's own training once you're hired.
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You may have to buy your first set of uniforms and luggage, but BLS says the employer usually pays for replacements and upkeep after that.
Advancement
BLS says advancement is based on seniority. On international flights, senior attendants often oversee other attendants, and some move into management roles responsible for recruiting, instructing and scheduling.
My verdict
If you love people, stay calm under pressure and can live with an unpredictable schedule for the first few years, becoming a flight attendant is very achievable without a degree. Build your customer service experience, check each airline's rules before you apply, and go into training ready to work hard. With about 18,500 openings a year and 9% growth projected, airlines are hiring. Just expect reserve life before you get the routes you want.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be a flight attendant?
No. BLS says a high school diploma is typically required, though some airlines prefer applicants with college courses or a degree.
How long is flight attendant training?
Airline initial training typically lasts several weeks or a few months, according to BLS, and it's required for FAA certification.
How old do you have to be to be a flight attendant?
Minimum age requirements are typically 18 or 21, depending on the airline.
How much do flight attendants make?
BLS reports median pay of $63,580 a year in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Do flight attendants need FAA certification?
Yes. All flight attendants must be certified by the FAA, which means completing the employer's initial training and passing an exam.
What is reserve status?
Being on call. BLS says almost all flight attendants start on reserve and usually live near their home airport because they may have to report at short notice.
