Q&A for How to Pass Flight Attendant Training

Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Answer: Older, wiser, and ideally making a positive impact on others.

It varies from airline to airline, but the common rule is that your weight has to be proportional to your height.

In the event that the flight has to make an emergency water landing, or should crash into a body of water, flight attendants will need to be able to swim so they can help passengers exit the plane and get to safety.

You must complete a full training course through the airline you are applying for.

No, there is not. However, your chances of staying with the airline for a longer period of time will largely depend on your ability to do basic mental calculations.

Each airline and/or country is different. Be sure to check out the specific requirements posted on the airline's job posting. In general, you should have at least graduated from high school, be fluent in your country's native language (plus English if it isn't your native language), be in good health and drug free, have good stamina for long/irregular work hours and little sleep or rest, be adaptable, be punctual and be well groomed.

A flight attendant should have an adequate knowledge of geography for answering passengers' questions about places.

Most, if not all, airlines will require periodic online testing to remain familiar with safety procedures.

There are no specific qualifications needed other than a high school diploma or equivalent GED. Prior customer service or other close contact with the public is viewed as a positive as is any medical, military or police experience. All airlines clearly state any and all qualifications on their website applications.

US airlines don't have a number set for weight limit, but they do have requirements that must be met. Two of the most common requirements are being able to walk down the airplane aisle without turning sideways and being able to use the jumpseat seatbelt without needing to use an extender.

Yes, as long as you can easily navigate the narrow airplane aisles.

Yes, the age requirement is 18 years and older. You also have to have a high school diploma.

No, you cannot still be in high school. You need to have graduated from high school, or have an equivalent GED. In addition, most airlines require you to be at least 20 years old.

Each airline provides their own training, some are paid some are unpaid. Apply to get in and if you're successful, you'll get free or even paid training.

No. They can't discriminate based on age.

If you are fit enough to pass all of the physical requirements, yes, you can.

There are two types of aircraft life rafts. The most common is called a "slide raft;" that is, the evacuation slides convert to life rafts when a water landing (ditching) has occurred. In that case, you will just walk out the aircraft door and onto the slide raft. After the raft is full, it will be detached from the aircraft door sill. Sometimes there are supplemental rafts on board, stowed in various locations on the aircraft. These rafts are usually round and hold anywhere from 30 to 60 passengers. They self inflate upon pulling a lanyard. They are boarded by finding the "boarding station," a fabric "ladder" that is attached to the exterior of the raft.

The training is unpaid but most of the time they provide everything for free. They will give you a place to stay during training and give you meals.

You have to do what is called a "reach test" at most interviews to ensure you can reach where bags are stored on the aircraft. If you can't, then you most likely will not be hired.

The minimum age to do flight attendant training is at least 18 years old. Half of the airline's flight attendants must be 19-20. Once you are 21 and over, you can do flight attendant training at any airline of your choice.