Are you looking for an exciting and dynamic career that takes you to new heights? Have you ever considered becoming an air hostess? With the aviation industry in India experiencing tremendous growth, there has never been a better time to explore this career option.
As an air hostess or a flight attendant, you will play a vital role in ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers on flights. You will also get the chance to travel to different parts of the country (and even the world!), meet new people, and experience diverse cultures.
So, fasten your seatbelts and let this guide take you through what it takes to be an air hostess!
Who is an Air Hostess?
Air hostesses, also known as flight attendants, are responsible for passenger safety and comfort during flights. They work on commercial airlines and are the face of the airline.
To become an air hostess in India, you must meet certain requirements such as:
- Having a high school diploma or equivalent certification
- Between the age of 18 to 27 years while applying
- Be fluent in English and Hindi, and preferably a regional language
- Have a clear complexion, 20/40 vision (with contact lenses or glasses), and a height of at least 157 cm.
- Many airlines prefer candidates with prior customer service experience. This can be obtained by working part-time in retail stores, restaurants, or hospitality services.
Skills You Need as an Air Hostess
- As an air hostess, you will have to interact with passengers of different nationalities and backgrounds daily; hence, excellent communication skills and understanding different accents are crucial for this role.
- Problem-solving ability is another must-have skill for air hostesses. You may encounter challenging situations that require quick thinking and effective solutions.
- A strong sense of teamwork is also critical, as you will work alongside other members of your crew, including pilots, co-hostesses, and ground staff.
- Air hostesses typically work in shifts, which can include evening, overnight, or early morning hours. They have to be flexible and adjust their schedules according to the airline's needs.
- Air hostesses must also have basic training in emergency procedures such as evacuations, first aid, and firefighting.
Job Opportunities Available for Air Hostesses
Once you have completed your education and training, many job opportunities are available for qualified air hostesses in India.
Airlines Hiring Air Hostesses
Several airlines regularly hire air hostesses in India such as Indigo Airlines, Vistara Airlines, and SpiceJet Airlines amongst others The minimum education requirement is 10+2 or equivalent.
Candidates with a diploma or degree in hospitality management or travel and tourism may have an advantage over others.
Private Jet Companies Hiring Air Hostesses
Private jet companies such as Club One Air, JetSetGo offer opportunities to work as air hostesses on their jets. They mainly look for candidates with prior experience working as air hostesses with commercial airlines and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Salaries of Air Hostesses
Air hostess salaries in India typically range from ₹25k-₹50k per month depending on the airline company they work for and their level of experience.
An entry-level air hostess with less than one year of experience can expect an average air hostess salary ranging from ₹19k-₹43k per month while those with 1-4 years of experience earn an average salary ranging from ₹20k-₹53k per month.
Senior air hostesses with more than ten years of experience earn an average salary ranging from ₹32k-₹80k per month.
Table Comparing Salaries Across Airlines:
Career Paths for Air Hostesses
As an air hostess, you have ample opportunities for career growth. After gaining significant experience in the field, you can advance to senior air hostess or supervisor roles.
Upskilling Opportunities and Certifications
Being an air hostess requires a specific set of skills that will help you excel in your role.
To enhance your chances of getting hired as an air hostess, you can consider certification courses offered by aviation firms or training centres such as the Cabin Crew Certificate course. Other relevant certification courses include Emergency Training Procedures (ETP), Dangerous Goods Regulation (DGR) training, and Basic Aviation Security (BAS) certification, among others.
These courses range from four weeks to six months and cost between ₹30,000-₹1 lakh depending on the programme's length and type.
To excel in the aviation industry, air hostesses must continuously upskill themselves and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies.
First aid training, grooming sessions, and language proficiency courses are some of the specialised training programmes that can improve your skillset and enhance your employability.
There are some Air Hostess Courses After 12th also available in the market.
FAQs
1. Is there any exam to become an air hostess?
Yes, many airlines conduct written exams that test your aptitude for the job. These tests check reasoning skills, general knowledge of current affairs and English language proficiency.
2. Do I need certification courses to become an air hostess?
While certification courses are not mandatory, they can increase your chances of getting hired by airlines and help you develop the essential skills required for the job.
3. What perks and benefits do air hostesses receive?
Apart from salaries, air hostesses receive perks like free travel tickets (depending on their company policies), medical insurance coverage for themselves and their families, pension schemes/retirement benefits, meal allowances during flights, and more.
4. Which subject is best to become an air hostess?
While there is no specific subject required to become an air hostess in India, having a degree in hospitality or tourism can give you a competitive edge.
5. How many hours a day do air hostesses work?
The average workday is around 8–10 hours for domestic flights and up to 14 hours on international flights. But the schedules will depend upon your airline and job profile.
As air travel continues to increase year after year, so does the demand for air hostesses. Experienced air hostesses who display leadership skills such as a strong work ethic and customer service orientation can look forward to career growth within and outside their organisation.
At WIZR, we understand the importance of investing in your career. That's why we offer financing options for upskilling programmes and certification courses. We hope this guide has given you valuable insights into what it takes to become an air hostess in India.
