- Air hostesses, commonly called flight attendants or stewardesses, tend to passengers on a flight.
- They review safety practices before the flight, bring passengers requested items such as pillows or earpieces, serve food and drinks, and ensure that passengers are comfortable throughout the flight.
- Air hostesses also conduct safety checks at various times during a flight, instruct passengers during a plane’s descent, and assist in the deplaning process after landing.
- Air hostesses are employed by all major airline companies.
- According to the most recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),a 10% employment growth rate in this field is expected between 2016-2026.
- The use of larger planes, with a greater number of passengers on board each flight, is believed to play a major role in this projected employment growth.
Air Hostess Duties and Responsibilities
- Air hostesses are generally assigned several tasks that must be completed for each flight.
- We have examined several job listings and found the following to be among the most commonly mentioned for this occupation:
Attend to Passenger Comfort and Safety
- The main duty of an air hostess is to ensure the comfort and safety of a plane’s passengers.
- Air hostesses review emergency and safety procedures prior to take-off, which includes demonstrating the use of any equipment.
- They also fill passenger requests, serve food and beverages, and tend to sick passengers, if needed.
Assist Passengers in Deplaning
- It is up to air hostesses to instruct and assist passengers throughout the descent and deplaning process.
- They ensure that passengers are safely in their seats as the plane descends and that all garbage and loose objects have been removed and secured.
- Once the plane has landed, air hostesses assist passengers in removing all carry-on luggage and direct them to the exits to depart the plane.
Conduct Pre- and Post-Flight Checks
- Air hostesses typically complete a pre-flight check that includes testing and ensuring that all safety equipment is in working condition.
- Following the deplaning process, air hostesses conduct a post-flight check to make sure all passenger items have been removed and seats and trays are placed in proper positions.
- They might do some light cleaning of an airplane’s interior as part of their post-flight duties.
Air Hostess Skills
- Great air hostesses are interested in world travel, very good at customer care, highly sociable, and able to carry out a variety of tasks under time pressure.
- They should also be detail-oriented, organized, and possess the ability to work in a team environment.
- Air hostesses should be able to and react to crises and stressful situations in a calm and reassuring manner.
- Finally, air hostesses should be in good physical condition and be able to sit and stand for long periods of time.
- In addition to these abilities, air hostesses should display the following skills and capabilities:
- Communicating clearly with others
- Reassuring passengers in the event of an emergency, making sure they follow safety procedures
- Ensuring that passengers are made comfortable
- Maintaining a calm demeanor, positive outlook, and an empathetic nature
- Exhibiting excellent interpersonal skills
- Working with a culturally diverse population
- Looking and acting like a professional at all time