Do you meet the bar for cabin crew?
Real requirements, by airline — not vague guesses. Pick a requirement below to see the exact figures each carrier tests.
The seven requirements airlines actually check
Height & arm reach
Most airlines don't test height directly — they test arm reach, because that's what determines whether you can reach the overhead bins and safety equipment. Some publish a height minimum instead, or both.
Arm reach is usually measured on tiptoes, reaching up against a wall or a measuring board, and is the more common test across Gulf and Asian carriers. A handful of airlines publish a straight height minimum instead, sometimes with different figures for female and male cabin crew.
Minimum age
18 is the global floor almost every airline sets, but a number of Gulf carriers raise it to 21 — worth knowing before you spend time preparing for the wrong intake.
There's no upper age limit at most airlines; cabin crew careers are open to career-changers well into their 30s and 40s as long as every other requirement is met.
Education
You don't need a university degree to become cabin crew at almost any airline — a completed high school education (usually 12 years of formal schooling) is the standard baseline.
A diploma or degree isn't required anywhere in this list, but it does strengthen an application at the airlines that call it out explicitly — it signals maturity and can help at the interview stage even when it's not a hard requirement.
Tattoo policy
Almost every airline in this list bans visible tattoos while in uniform — the distinction that actually matters is whether it's visible in short sleeves, not whether you have one at all.
A tattoo that's fully covered by the standard uniform, including the short-sleeve version worn in warmer climates, is generally acceptable at most of these airlines. Concealer or coverings are sometimes allowed for small tattoos, but policies vary and airlines don't always publish the exact rule.
English requirement
Fluent English is a near-universal requirement — it's the working language of aviation safety communication, not just customer service, so airlines test it regardless of the aircraft's home country.
Expect this tested at multiple stages: a screening call, a timed written/grammar assessment, and the ability to hold a natural conversation during the interview and group exercise. A second language is often called out as an advantage, not a requirement.
Swim test
A swim test is a safety requirement, not a fitness competition — airlines that fly over water need crew who can genuinely swim unaided in an emergency water landing, and most test this during initial training rather than at the interview stage.
The typical standard is swimming a set distance (often 25 metres) unaided, sometimes followed by treading water for a set time. It genuinely eliminates people who assumed 'I can swim' was enough without having swum in years — worth practising properly before training starts, not just before the open day.
Medical requirements
Every airline requires a medical clearance confirming you're fit to perform emergency safety duties — this is assessed properly after a conditional offer, not guessed at from the open day, but the general standard is the same everywhere.
Expect checks on vision (correctable with glasses or contacts at most carriers, though some restrict this), hearing, cardiovascular fitness, and no undeclared conditions that would affect emergency response. BMI and general fitness for physically demanding duties (lifting, extended standing) are part of the same assessment.
Height & arm reach
Most airlines don't test height directly — they test arm reach, because that's what determines whether you can reach the overhead bins and safety equipment. Some publish a height minimum instead, or both.
Minimum age
18 is the global floor almost every airline sets, but a number of Gulf carriers raise it to 21 — worth knowing before you spend time preparing for the wrong intake.
Education
You don't need a university degree to become cabin crew at almost any airline — a completed high school education (usually 12 years of formal schooling) is the standard baseline.
Tattoo policy
Almost every airline in this list bans visible tattoos while in uniform — the distinction that actually matters is whether it's visible in short sleeves, not whether you have one at all.
English requirement
Fluent English is a near-universal requirement — it's the working language of aviation safety communication, not just customer service, so airlines test it regardless of the aircraft's home country.
Swim test
A swim test is a safety requirement, not a fitness competition — airlines that fly over water need crew who can genuinely swim unaided in an emergency water landing, and most test this during initial training rather than at the interview stage.
Medical requirements
Every airline requires a medical clearance confirming you're fit to perform emergency safety duties — this is assessed properly after a conditional offer, not guessed at from the open day, but the general standard is the same everywhere.
Check every requirement against your own numbers
Enter your height, reach, and age once and instantly see which of 45+ airlines you qualify for.
Run the Eligibility Matcher — Free