Flight attendant schools train students to work as flight attendants.
Flight attendant programs cover airline and aviation topics like airport codes, airline safety, and other relevant topics.
Flight attendant schools also cover general skills, like customer service, geography, and passenger interaction with students.
How Much Does Flight Attendant School Cost?
A flight attendant school program costs $4,000 on average.
However, the cheapest flight attendant schools cost as little as $1,000, and the most expensive cost upwards of $25,000.
The cost of flight attendant school also depends on whether the student pays for room and board.
Some schools charge separately for room and board, which significantly increases the cost of attending flight attendant school.
How Long is Flight Attendant School?
Flight attendant schools have programs that range from a few days to 16 weeks, depending on the program.
Naturally, the more complex the program, the longer it lasts.
Do You Need to Go to Flight Attendant School to Become a Flight Attendant?
Going to flight attendant school is not required to become a flight attendant. But, it can still be a good idea to attend flight attendant school since it prepares you for the job.
It’s also easier for you to receive a flight attendant job after attending flight attendant school because you’ll better understand the industry.
You could also develop useful contacts and other industry knowledge.
So, attending flight attendant school is advisable before becoming a flight attendant, though not strictly necessary.
Is It Worth Going to Flight Attendant School?
It could be worth going to flight attendant school since it increases your industry knowledge and helps you make connections.
But, it’s unlikely to benefit you if you already have industry knowledge and connections.
Also, most major airlines have their own flight attendant academies that may be more advantageous to join instead of flight attendant schools.
What is the Difference Between Flight Attendant School & Training?
Flight attendant training is provided by airlines themselves, compared to schools which may have nothing to do with the airline and are separate, independent institutions.
Airlines provide a three to six-week training flight attendant training program, while independent flight attendant schools may provide training that lasts from anywhere between a few days to several weeks.
How Long is Flight Attendant Training?
Flight attendant training usually lasts between 3 and 6 weeks, but each airline has its own requirements.
These are the training durations for 5 of the most popular American airlines:
American Airlines: 6 weeks of training.
Delta Air Lines: 6 weeks of training
JetBlue: 4 weeks of training.
Southwest Airlines: 4 weeks of training
United Airlines: 6 weeks of training.
Do Flight Attendants Get Paid During Training?
Most airlines pay their cabin crew during training, but the pay is low.
For example, Endeavor Air pays flight attendants $1,500 in 2 installments after the first and second month of training.
In 2019, the world’s major airlines received over 1.5 million flight attendant applications.
For comparison, it’s actually easier to get into Harvard than becoming a flight attendant, with an acceptance rate of 5%.
Requirements to become a Flight Attendant
Every airline has its own flight attendant requirements, though most require the following:
Candidates must be between 4’11″ – 6’4” tall.
Good mental and physical health.
A well-groomed appearance.
Vision that is correctable to at least 20/40.
Be at least 18 or 21 years old, depending on the country
Must pass background checks.
Must pass the interview.
Relevant work experience is preferred.
Must have a valid government-issued ID.
Fluency in a foreign language is preferred for international flights.
Most airlines have other requirements as well, such as possessing certain qualifications.
Airlines also have different rules regarding educational qualifications.
Some airlines accept candidates with only a high school diploma, while others want to see undergraduate degrees.
In conclusion:
Flight attendant schools provide programs that are last anywhere from a few days to several weeks long.
Flight attendant schools are independent educational institutions that don’t automatically provide employment opportunities.
But attending a flight attendant school can increase your chances of employment via industry exposure and networking opportunities.
Airlines also have their own flight training schools that train flight attendants.
Becoming a flight attendant is difficult, with the profession having only a 1% selection rate.
Most airlines have their own requirements for selecting flight attendants, but most airlines require you have at least a high school diploma, be in good health, have no criminal history, and have excellent personal skills.
Patricia is a senior flight attendant with over 20 years of experience working for a major U.S. airline, primarily on international long haul flights.
Patricia is passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise about the unique lives flight attendants lead, offers valuable insights on what it takes to become a flight attendant and what the job entails.
Patricia has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Newsweek.
