Working as cabin crew is highly valued, as it presents travel opportunities, social interaction with the rich and wealthy, and offers a dynamic work environment as well as personal development for an individual.
The beauty of this job is that it requires very few qualifications, making it one of the most coveted as it also pays well with a minimum salary of Kshs 40,000 exclusive of allowances.
An air hostess or member of cabin crew is tasked with :
1. Welcoming all passengers on board and ensuring that they are well seated
2. Ensuring all security and safety measures are adhered to
3. Ensuring all expected passengers are on board
4.Serving meals and drinks in some airlines, not all of them offer this service.
5. Answering any inquiries from the passengers on board
To become an air hostess, you need to meet the following criteria:
1. Character/ Personality
Interacting with passengers makes up 90 per cent of your time on the job and hence you need to adopt a friendly, outgoing personality to make communication easier. You need to be confident, and carry yourself with dignity and must continually walk with your head held straight.
2. Great Physique
You represent the image of the airline which translates to having a professional appearance. A great physique contributes to this as you appear well groomed. Your physique is equally important due to the physical demands of the job, including endurance and emergency response capabilities.
Weight and height are also important factors; you must be at least 5ft 2in (157cm) tall, with weight proportional to your height. Thus, maintaining physical fitness should be a top priority if you are aiming for this career.
3. Knowledge of First Aid/swimming
Accidents are a frequent part of life, and for flight attendants, first aid knowledge is crucial since they may need to assist passengers in emergencies. Additionally, because aircraft can experience issues, swimming skills are important for survival if a plane makes an emergency landing in water. Being prepared for such scenarios enhances safety and preparedness in the role.
4. Medically fit
Maintaining both mental and physical health is essential for flight attendants, as airlines will not hire individuals who are display poor health. Additionally, good vision is required, with standards typically set at 6/6 or 6/24 in both eyes.
5. Language
Flight attendants must be proficient in English as it is the most widely spoken language globally. Proficiency in additional languages is also highly advantageous, as it can enhance communication with a diverse range of passengers and provide a competitive edge over those who speak only one or two languages.
6.Education
Like many professional careers, becoming a flight attendant requires formal education, typically involving a course of at least three months. This training ensures that candidates have the necessary skills, confidence, and health to meet the demands of the job and provide high-quality service and safety to passengers.
Institutions/ colleges offering flight attendant training in the country include:
1. Career Training Center
2. Regional Aviation Training
3. Kenya Aeronautical College
4. Kenya Utalii College
5. Trans-Eastern Airlines Aviation College, Airport Campus
6.Nairobi Aviation Institute
7.Mombasa Aviation Training Institute
8.The Kenya Airways Pride Center
9.Skytech Aviation College
10. Skyways Aviation Training Institute
11. Strathmore University
Qualifications and the duration of study can vary depending on the flight attendant training school.
It is important to note that completing a flight attendant training program does not guarantee a job. Some airlines prefer their hostesses to be unmarried or, if married, not to become pregnant during their service, with immediate termination upon discovering a pregnancy. Additionally, airlines typically favor younger, more agile candidates and will not hire individuals under the age of 18.
It is therefore advisable to be persistent and patient when applying for the job, investing time in honing the skills that fall in the requirements to give you a competitive edge over other candidates.
