Cabin Crew Job Description, Key Skills & Salary

What is a Cabin Crew?

Cabin Crew members are also called Flight Attendants, Air Hostesses, or Flight Stewards! First and foremost, they are there to ensure the safety and security of the passengers and, secondly, to keep them comfortable. During a flight with no food or drink offered, the airline still has to have a minimum number of cabin crew present for safety reasons, which is required by law. A member of the airline’s cabin crew is called upon to provide excellent customer service in a friendly and enthusiastic manner and be self-presentable. Among the requirements for cabin crew jobs are flexibility, the ability to work every day of the year, and physical fitness. 

What does a Cabin Crew do?

During a flight, cabin crew members provide excellent customer service and ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. As part of the job, employees have to serve refreshments, take orders, sell gifts, and accept duty-free purchases. Members of the crew deal with security and emergencies, and they are trained to provide first aid. Additionally, among the requirements for cabin crew jobs are ensuring that all emergency gear is in working order before takeoff and supplying enough supplies on board. During the safety demonstration, you’ll explain the procedures and equipment used on the plane.

Cabin Crew job duties :

The cabin crew job role includes the below duties: 

• During a pre-flight briefing, the flight crew is given their assigned positions (crew may also be informed of flight details, the schedule, or the number of infants on board if there are diabetic passengers on the flight).
• Carrying out pre-flight duties, such as checking safety equipment, maintaining the aircraft, making sure seat pockets are up-to-date, and ensuring food and stock items are available.
• The passenger is greeted on board and directed to their seats.
• Assuring that all hand luggage is removed from the aircraft safely.
• Providing passengers with information regarding aircraft safety procedures.
• Upon takeoff, check all seat belts and galleys to ensure they are secure.
• Announce on behalf of the pilot and an answer to passenger questions.
• Catering to passengers’ needs for food and refreshments.
• The sale of duty-free goods and the notification of passengers regarding any visa restrictions that may exist at their destination.
• Assuring passengers that emergency procedures are followed; ensuring they follow the procedures properly in emergencies.
• Assisting passengers if necessary.
• At the end of a flight, ensure that passengers are safely disembarking and that their luggage hasn’t been left in the overhead lockers.
• Completing paperwork, which includes writing flight reports.

Job role for Cabin Crew

An airline cabin crew’s job is to make the guests’ flight experience pleasant. To make passengers’ experiences aboard flights enjoyable, Cabin Crew should be able to work autonomously, take the initiative, and collaborate with colleagues. By becoming a reliable, thoughtful host, the company plans to cultivate its financial development. When you work as a cabin crew, you ensure passengers are comfortable and safe throughout their flight while providing excellent customer service. Selling duty-free items and refreshments while serving refreshments and serving meals are all part of the job.

Responsibilities of Cabin Crew

The Cabin Crew job role includes the below responsibilities: 

• Make sure you understand your responsibilities during the flight and act accordingly
• By answering passengers’ questions and assisting them, you will ensure their satisfaction
• Check the cabin before takeoff to make sure it meets safety regulations
• Upon boarding, assist travellers with their luggage and seating
• Providing food and beverages as well as selling products
• Make sure you present the “safety” topic well prepared
• Maintain constant observation of the cabin throughout the flight
• Follow established procedures and regulations
• Be calm and offer passengers assistance if an emergency occurs
• Pay special attention to passengers with all the required needs (including children, the disabled, the elderly, etc.)
• Ensure accurate reporting of all significant events and issues

Cabin Crew job Requirements 

• Minimum age of 18 is required (21 in some cases)
• With English as a subject, 10+2 passed in any stream.
• Have normal vision when it comes to colour
• Own a valid passport that is not restricted to the airline’s destinations
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Customer service skills that are exceptional
• Ability to work in a team
• Handle foreign currency and cash with numeracy skills
• If you have to work unsocial or irregular hours, be flexible
• Having the confidence to deal with a variety of people
• Maintain tact and diplomacy, and assert yourself when needed
• Working in confined spaces is a requirement
• Calmly and quickly diffuse situations

Average Salary for Cabin Crew

The average salary for cabin crew members in Malaysia varies based on experience, airline, and specific roles within the cabin crew team. 

General Salary Overview

• Entry-Level (0-2 years of experience): Approximately RM 24,000 - RM 36,000 per annum.
• Mid-Level (3-5 years of experience): Approximately RM 36,000 - RM 60,000 per annum.
• Senior-Level (5+ years of experience): Approximately RM 60,000 - RM 84,000 per annum.

Salary Breakdown by Experience

Salary by Airline

Additional Benefits
Cabin crew members in Malaysia typically receive additional benefits such as:

• Travel allowances
• Performance bonuses
• Health insurance
• Meal allowances while on duty

This overview indicates that cabin crew members in Malaysia can expect varying salaries based on their experience and the airline they work for. Major airlines tend to offer competitive salaries due to the demand for skilled aviation professionals.

Cabin Crew Skills and Qualities

• Good communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• When dealing with difficult passengers or emergencies, the ability to remain calm is crucial
• Effort and tact in diplomacy
• Hearing and colour perception should be good
• Having good physical and mental health – most airlines require their cabin crew to be able to swim 25 meters or more
• Self-confident
• You must be able to maintain a good attitude when you’ve been on your feet for a while.

Why pursue a career as a Cabin Crew?

A Cabin Crew job role’s advancement depends on performance and experience. You can move up to the position of the purser or chief purser, which is what a chief flight attendant is called. Additionally, they’re given the responsibility of managing a cabin, such as first-class or business class, as well as the same responsibilities as the general Cabin Crew job role. While you’re a purser, you’ll ensure all crew members in your cabin provide the best customer service and encourage duty-free sales. Most airlines require two to five years of experience to become a purser.

Getting to the level of senior cabin crew can be accomplished as a purser. Some airlines call this position a cabin service director or cabin supervisor. As is the case for a purser on board, you will be responsible for all cabin crew onboard instead of only taking care of a particular cabin. Including the purser and chief purser, all cabin crew will report to you. It’s usually your responsibility to train and supervise recruits and to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed after a flight.

A few airline crew members wish to be VVIP cabin crew members. The work is usually carried out on private aircraft for very important private clients. Often, these individuals are government representatives or royal families. Most employers require that candidates have at least two years of experience working in business (or first) class. Most VVIP positions are located in wealthy Middle Eastern countries. You may also want to consider ground-based positions like cabin crew recruitment or training, passenger services, or personnel management. You may advance to marketing, sales, human resources, or safety training at larger airlines.

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How to become a Cabin Crew?

To qualify for the Flight Steward & Cabin Crew job position, you need an Intermediate or graduation degree. Various institutions in India offer diploma programs in the aviation field after 12th grade. Airlines may also provide training programs lasting between 3 and 6 months. If you wish to be a Flight Steward or work a Cabin Crew job position, you may have to complete the following courses:

• Certification in Cabin Crew Services 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Airline and Travel Management
• Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management
• Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management
• Certification in Aviation & Hospitality Management
• Certificate in Airline Cabin Crew
• Flight Attendant/Air Hostess Course