10 Requirements to Become a Flight Attendant That Not Everyone Knows

Flight attendants appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, and they were only men. The first stewardess was a 25-year-old nurse in the 1930s. By 1936, the number of women in this business almost outnumbered the number of men. The requirements for female flight attendants became more stringent over the years — and they referred not only to physical preparation, but also to appearance.

We, from awesome.club, we decided to find out how the requirements for working as a flight attendant changed and what appearance criteria exist today. Check out!

Nelly Diener — the first European flight attendant — 1934

50 or 60 years ago, the rules for stewardesses were very strict: watch your weight, strict dress code, short, tight skirts. A flight attendant who worked at that time said that female employees were required to wear a special type of compression garment under their uniform, in order to give the required figure to the body. If a stewardess gained weight, or reached the age of 32 or 35, or got married, she would be fired. That simple.

In today’s generation, airlines no longer control their employees’ personal lives and do not create undue demands. However, there are still certain criteria that flight attendants need to follow when it comes to appearance. Below we list the basic requirements of modern airlines:

Contrary to what many people think, a flight attendant does not need to have a “model” body. The minimum height must be 1.60 m — provided that, with arms raised and straight, the person reaches a height of 2.10 – 2.12 m🇧🇷 This is important for her to be able to put her luggage in the overhead compartment of the plane and get them out. The weight of stewardesses is assessed according to the BMI (Body Mass Index), and its value must be between 18.5 and 24.9. It is worth noting that the rules vary slightly from company to company.

The minimum age range for work is between 18 and 21 years old. The maxim is generally not indicated, as this could be taken as discrimination. And although after the age of 30 or 32, many women end their careers “in the heights”, this is not always the case, especially considering the many airlines that exist. In this photo from 2017, for example, we see Bette Nash, an American flight attendant who was 81 at the time and still working.

A flight attendant is like the company’s business card. Therefore, it is advised that she does not have large scars on her face or visible parts of her body. The same goes for acne, birthmarks, and tattoos. On most airlines, it is acceptable to have a tattoo on your back or thigh, for example. Although, even the smallest of drawings on the ankle, wrist or neck can be reason enough for job interview rejection.

Flight attendants really need to have a 100% vision. Otherwise, they will have to wear lenses. As a general rule, many companies allow women to work wearing glasses, as long as the design matches their image criteria. However, many companies still prefer that employees wear contact lenses and only employees with medical documentation showing any contraindication to wearing lenses are allowed to work with glasses🇧🇷 Generally, this medical exemption is valid for a period of up to three months.

Flight attendants are always smiling at passengers, and indeed, a smile should be beautiful. Ideally, they should be white and straight. Some airlines allow the use of devices; others do not. But what is not accepted anywhere are extremely crooked teeth or when there is a lack of a front tooth🇧🇷 Even if it is something temporary, it is unlikely that companies will accept an employee who has a hole in her smile.

A flight attendant’s hair must not touch the collar, but there are also rules about the color. It is permissible to paint only in natural colors, and the roots need to be touched up in time. Some women still dare to dye in the “ombré” style, but this way, they will then need to curl their hair in such a way that the blonde strands are not visible and that the color of the ends is the same as that of the root🇧🇷

Flight attendants must always keep their nails up to date. The length and color are defined by the companies. Usually, the classic manicure is done: nails not too long, in neutral colors. Even francesinha is acceptable.

Makeup is mandatory, but it needs to look natural. However, flight attendants can wear false eyelashes and flashy lipsticks. In some companies, it is only allowed to use red lipstick and in certain specific shades. Other companies require employees to use foundation, eyeliner, eye shadow and blush, in addition to lipstick and mascara.

Company policies vary, but most require for flight attendants to walk around the airport in high heels🇧🇷 It is believed that, in this way, the appearance will be more beautiful and pleasant, even if this is not always something comfortable. During the flight, the employees exchange heels for more practical and flat shoes.

The bare minimum is allowed: one pair of small earrings, no colored stones and no more than two rings, including the wedding ring. The main thing is the clock: flight attendants cannot fly if they have forgotten this accessory at home. Each member of the crew has a watch on their wrist, so that, in an emergency, the time can be controlled – an evacuation, for example, cannot take more than 90 seconds.

What are the dress and grooming requirements at your job? Could you follow rules as strict as those of flight attendants? Comment!