Air cabin crew: Job description

The role of an air cabin crew member is to provide excellent customer service to passengers while ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the flight. They are trained to deal with security and emergency situations which may arise and can administer first aid to passengers.

Cabin crew ensure that all emergency equipment is in working order prior to take off and that there are enough supplies for passengers. They also help passengers to board the plane and give a demonstration of safety procedures and equipment. 

Air cabin crew strive to make the flying experience a pleasant one for the passengers and will serve refreshments and meals and sell gifts and duty-free items. Cabin crew may work on short or long-haul flights.

Typical work activities

Tasks may vary slightly depending on whether it is a short or long-haul flight and the size of the team you are working in. However, they typically include:

• attending a pre-flight briefing, during which air cabin crew are assigned their working positions for the upcoming flight. Crew are also informed of flight details, the schedule and if there are passengers with any special requirements, such as diabetic passengers, passengers in wheelchairs or the number of infants on board;
• carrying out pre-flight duties, including checking the safety equipment, ensuring the aircraft is clean and tidy, ensuring that information in the seat pockets is up to date and that all meals and stock are on board;
• welcoming passengers on board and directing them to their seats; 
• informing passengers of the aircraft safety procedures and ensuring that all hand luggage is securely stored away;
• checking all passenger seat belts and galleys are secure prior to take-off;
• making announcements on behalf of the pilot and answering passenger questions during the flight;
• serving meals and refreshments to passengers;
• selling duty-free goods and advising passengers of any allowance restrictions in force at their destination;
• reassuring passengers and ensuring that they follow safety procedures correctly in emergency situations;
• giving first aid to passengers where necessary;
• ensuring passengers disembark safely at the end of a flight and checking that there is no luggage left in the overhead lockers;
• completing paperwork, including writing a flight report.