The flight attendant, more commonly known as steward or flight attendant, specializes in assisting passengers on the aircraft, checking boarding passes, and providing in-flight service.
A flight attendant must know at least one foreign language and have a set of essential physical requirements such as perfect vision, minimum height, and other psychological fitness requirements. Every two years, the flight attendant must undergo a medical examination at the Military Medicine Institute (IMM) to confirm all psycho-physical capabilities certified by their license. Additionally, the airline periodically submits all crew members to further medical examinations to validate flight qualifications. They must also possess kindness and know-how to make passengers comfortable and calm under all circumstances.
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Job Description
The flight attendant is required to perform the following tasks on board the airline’s aircraft:
— provide instructions on: the use of seat belts; restrictions on smoking; emergency exits; the location and use of life vests; the use of oxygen masks; restrictions regarding the use of portable electronic devices. — ensure assistance and first aid service to passengers and crew; — use, if necessary, the aircraft’s emergency equipment; — perform the functions required in case of an emergency evacuation; — carry out all tasks outlined in the operator’s operating manual. — invite passengers to board, show them to their seats; — monitor the storage and unloading of luggage; close the hatch and inform the pilot of the possibility of departure; — take care of the supply and distribute food, drinks, and newspapers; — show and sell perfumes, scarves, leather goods, gadgets, etc.
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Each flight attendant must be seated and properly buckled during takeoff and landing and whenever the captain deems it necessary. Each flight attendant assigned to emergency evacuation tasks must occupy a seat as close as possible to the emergency exits, and when more than one flight attendant is present on board, they must be evenly distributed throughout the aircraft to ensure the fastest and safest evacuation.
Professional Selling Points
The flight attendant is generally employed by airlines. However, the working relationship can take various forms, being one of the most flexible professional figures. In addition to full-time and indefinite employment contracts, temporary, part-time, and fixed-term work relationships are common, especially to cope with increased demand during peak seasons.
The working relationship is governed by the National Collective Agreement for Flight Attendants, which pays particular attention to health conditions “for” and “during” service: the flight attendant, like the pilot, can only operate on board if they are in perfect psycho-physical condition. Salary levels are linked to seniority, but even at the time of recruitment, the salary is relatively high, averaging around €2,000 to €2,500 per month.
The career path of a flight attendant starts as a Junior Assistant, then transitions to the qualification of Assistant Manager, until reaching the top position of Lead Cabin Attendant. Additionally, flight attendants can transition from “in-flight” to “ground”, taking on the roles of a call agent.
Training Requirements and Access to Roles
— High school diploma in aeronautical or tourism studies, and pass an exam at the Ministry of Transport; — be at least 18 years old; — hold a psychophysical fitness certificate; — not suffer from alcoholism, be a drug addict or habitual user, and not be subject to personal security measures or special surveillance measures by the Bureau authority; — oral and written knowledge of the English language and a basic knowledge of at least one other foreign language.
Certifications
Current legislation requires that to work as a flight attendant, you must possess a certificate that you can obtain either from an institution dealing with flight attendants or from an airline. The training course consists of a theoretical part, to be completed in class, and a practical part, during which at least 100 hours of flight must be completed as a flight attendant.
At the end of this course, a ministerial examination is conducted at the ENAC, and if the exam is passed, certification is obtained.
Related Formal Profiles
The professional figure closest to the flight attendant is the cabin crew member.
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