Flight Attendants

Certification or Licensing

All flight attendants must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For certification, attendants must successfully complete training requirements established by the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration. Flight attendants are certified for the specific type of aircraft in which they are flying, regardless of the airline carrier.

Other Requirements

Airlines in the United States require flight attendants to be U.S. citizens, have permanent resident status, or have valid work visas. In general, applicants must be at least 18 to 21 years old, although some airlines have higher minimum age requirements. They also must conform to height requirements set by the airlines in order to reach overhead compartments and perform other tasks. Some airlines have hiring rules regarding weight and physical strength. For example, Southwest Airlines provides the following guidelines for aspiring flight attendants: "Weight must be of such proportion to height that a neat appearance is maintained and the physical ability to perform all job functions is not hindered. Must be able to lift items up to 50 pounds from floor to shoulder level as required."