Top 10 Intriguing Secrets Flight Attendants Might Want You to Know

The most common misconception about becoming a flight attendant is what flight attendants are. Many flight attendants say the biggest misconception people have about flight attendants is seeing them as sky waiters. Sure, that's part of a flight attendant's daily job, but the next time you incessantly ring the call button, remember that the real reason a flight attendant is on the plane is not to serve you, but to ensure everyone's safety.

Imagine how stressful it would be to know that you are responsible for a plane full of passengers who are delayed, hungry, cranky, and sometimes intoxicated. But that doesn't mean they are not willing to help. While flight attendants may not hesitate to get you an extra vodka or find you an additional meal, what flight attendants truly want is for nothing harmful to happen to anyone among the passengers on the flight.

While a part of what flight attendants do is serve passengers on the plane, safety is a crucial aspect of this position. Since the first 'skygirls' of the 1930s, as they were called, were even required to be registered nurses. Although the role has evolved since the aviation industry began, flight attendants are still put in place to ensure the safety of passengers, and therefore, they must undergo rigorous training to ensure smooth flights. In fact, there have been recorded cases of childbirth on planes, so to serve passengers best, many airlines train their staff on how to assist in childbirth on the plane.

Being a flight attendant comes with privileges like traveling to exotic locales worldwide, but to attain that position, they must learn a plethora of skills. At the Emirates flight attendant training facility in Dubai, new hires are taught everything, from firefighting on flights and maintaining warmth at freezing temperatures, to skincare habits and fitness to support a life of travel. These are the essentials to become a flight attendant for one of the world's best airlines.

For those who have ever complained about having to wear office attire to work instead of opting for comfortable jeans and a T-shirt, consider that flight attendants have standardized uniforms. Due to the nature of their job, flight attendants often interact with passengers from various countries, making them representatives not only of the airline but also of the country as a whole. Therefore, to have the opportunity to join the ranks of flight attendants, these individuals must undergo very strict appearance requirements and challenges.

Especially in the Middle East and Asia, where appearance is highly emphasized, strict rules are imposed on how you can maintain the color, style, and styling of your hair and makeup. Nails must be painted in a specific way, and jewelry is kept to a minimum standard. Most airlines have mandatory requirements for candidates applying to their airline, ensuring no scars or defects on the body. Before appearing in front of passengers as a flight attendant, their attire is meticulously groomed as well.

You may not be aviation enthusiasts, but if you've watched 'Alive,' the true story of survivors after a plane crash in the Andes Mountains in 1972, you'll understand why having someone like Bear Grylls by your side is key. Surviving a plane crash is only half the battle; the Andes is a snow-covered mountain range that leaves very little food (ahem) and truly tests your survival skills. Even if you don't possess any survival skills, your flight attendant has been trained to handle themselves and passengers in harsh conditions.

To prepare for the worst-case scenarios like a crashed plane, hitting a mountain wall, or plunging into the sea... flight attendants are trained with the necessary knowledge to ensure assistance for passengers and themselves in surviving harsh conditions on terrains and situations like snowy mountains, getting lost in the forest... if they still have the ability to survive. They are also taught how to create fire without oil and electricity, learn to sustain themselves for an extended period even when not adequately fed, and these are crucial skills to cope with potential emergencies.

Wing Chun, a form of Kung Fu, will be part of the mandatory training for flight staff at Hong Kong Airlines. Frustrated with violent passengers, Hong Kong Airlines announced that its cabin crew will now be required to learn a traditional martial art to defend against unruly individuals. According to Telegraph, the company will pay for staff to learn a form of Kung Fu called Wing Chun, which they hope will make unruly travelers think twice about using violence.

These martial arts techniques are ideal for close combat in the confined space of the aircraft cabin and can be applied to deal with disruptive passengers whose rationality may be impaired due to excessive alcohol consumption. However, such training also aims to provide flight attendants with confidence, agility, quickness, while enhancing their physical fitness and balance, as demonstrated in the accompanying video clip and presentation mentioned in this report.

Essentially, motion sickness (referred to as air sickness when you're on an airplane) is a problem caused by conflicting signals between your brain, inner ear, and your senses. Your body and inner ear are detecting motion that your eyes don't see. These mixed signals can confuse your brain and may make you feel nauseous. Anyone can experience motion sickness or air sickness under the right circumstances. This includes astronauts, pilots, and flight attendants.

Despite flying regularly, flight attendants from many airlines around the world can still get sick or experience symptoms of air sickness during long and bumpy flights just like anyone else. Sometimes, after extended working hours, their bodies may weaken, and they can still encounter symptoms like nausea, ringing in the ears, etc. Of course, the perk of being able to travel the world for free is always a great benefit of the job.

Crew members must adhere to emergency procedures approved by the airline and relevant manufacturer guidance for conducting flights, managing aircraft systems, identifying suspected sources of fire, and firefighting. Procedures can vary significantly between airlines, so it is crucial to learn and familiarize oneself with firefighting skills on an aircraft. A fire in the passenger cabin, lavatory, galley, or cargo hold within the aircraft is one of the worst situations the crew might have to face.

Time can be crucial when a fire on the aircraft has developed and become challenging to control, so every effort, employing positive and immediate actions, must be taken to extinguish the fire as soon as it is detected. Learning firefighting skills to immediately transform into a firefighter is essential for flight attendants.

There are numerous common questions surrounding the eligibility to become a flight attendant. The requirements for the job have changed a lot over the years, causing much confusion for those aspiring to be flight attendants. The minimum age to become a flight attendant is 18 years old. Some airlines may require you to be 19 or 20 when applying, but no airline is allowed to set the requirement above 21.

Another frequently asked question is whether you can still pursue a career as a flight attendant later in life after being past the initial recruitment age. At that time, most flight attendants seem to be young. There is no maximum age to become a flight attendant for any specific airline. If you are in your 40s or 50s and want to become a flight attendant, go ahead and apply! As long as you meet other requirements, your age will not be an issue.

One of the most common concerns for those aspiring to be flight attendants is their height. Many think they are either too short or too tall to have a chance to become a flight attendant. Turns out, there is no general height requirement for flight attendants. The requirement is to reach the overhead bins without assistance. While it may vary slightly depending on the airline, this generally equates to at least 4 feet 11 inches (149 cm).

Because this figure can sometimes vary by airline, your best bet is to still apply and discuss with the airline when it comes up. They will let you know if they have an actual height requirement or if it's more about the reach, as you must be able to access overhead bins typically ranging from 6 to 7 feet. Most flight attendants are under 6 feet. It's best to consider if you think you may struggle with standing on the plane for extended periods.

Airlines consider flight attendants the face of their brand. They are the experts passengers interact with the most and often leave a lasting impression. Therefore, there are standards in appearance that airlines must ensure represent their brand the way they like. Below is a brief list of requirements you should be aware of. Airlines want their attendants to look professionally put together. This means a clean and neatly kept appearance.

This includes things like your clothing being clean and wrinkle-free, as well as you looking 'polished.' Airlines do not allow flight attendants to have visible tattoos while wearing the airline's uniform. Airlines permit one earring per earlobe and nothing else. No visible piercings other than earrings. Nose, lips, eyebrows, and any other visible body parts cannot have any piercings.

Additionally, as a flight attendant, you'll have to be on your feet multiple times a day, assisting passengers with luggage and performing various safety procedures on the plane. This means being in good physical condition and capable of performing these duties. Assuming you plan to become a flight attendant in the United States, you'll be required to be proficient in English to communicate with the majority of your passengers. You will also be required to pass a background check to become a flight attendant.