Flight Attendant Training - What to Expect

Anxiety about new-hire flight attendant training is common once the euphoria of getting hired wears off. Don't worry! You will be trained by professionals on everything you need to know.

Once hired, candidates must undergo a period of formal training. The length of training, ranging from 4 to 7 weeks, depends on the size and type of carrier and takes place in the airline's flight training center.

Flight attendant training usually takes place at the airline's training center and typically lasts from three to six weeks. Classes are usually made up of between 30 and 100 trainees and run from approximately 8:00AM to 4:30PM.

Airlines that do not operate flight attendant training centers generally send new employees to the center of another airline. Airlines may provide transportation to the training centers and an allowance for board, room, and school supplies. However, new trainees are not considered employees of the airline until they successfully complete the training program.

Trainees learn emergency procedures such as evacuating an airplane, operating emergency systems and equipment, administering first aid, and water survival tactics. In addition, trainees are taught how to deal with disruptive passengers and hijacking and terrorist situations. New hires learn flight regulations and duties, company operations and policies, and receive instruction on personal grooming and weight control. Trainees for the international routes get additional instruction in passport and customs regulations.

Other subjects covered during flight attendant training typically include: City Codes, 24-hour clock, Time computations adding/subtracting hours and minutes), Airline terminology, Cabin service, Company policy and procedures, Aircraft Familiarization, First Aid/CPR, Ditching, Evacuation drills/commands, Security/Bomb threats, Uniform regulations, FARs, Bidding/Reserve, Specific aircraft training, non-specific aircraft training and much more.

Towards the end of their training, students go on practice flights. You can also expect about 4 training flights with real passengers where you will perform your duties under the supervision of working flight attendants.

Generally you will be given tests after each segment of flight attendant training. Passing grades are typically 90%. Some airlines allow retakes. Some do not. It might also be helpful to practice airport codes (pick up a schedule) and practice adding time. You can check your answers by using the hours and minutes calculator that we have added to the site.

During the second or third week, you will be asked to fill out your "dream sheet" for base assignments which will be awarded later in the program, depending upon the needs of the airline. After completing initial training, flight attendants are assigned to one of their airline's bases.

Additionally, flight attendants must receive 12 to 14 hours of annual training in emergency procedures and passenger relations.

You may also be interested in knowing how to practice for those airline interviews, also airlines look for those with an aptitude for customer care, hence mould your answers so as to give error free replies to the recruiter. Now there are several online degree resources available on internet, which are providing the facility of online air hostess training