Can You Become a Flight Attendant at 50? (2020)

Some of the links below are affiliate links, so we may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Check our disclaimer for more info. (* = affiliate link)

Back when airlines first began employing female flight attendants, there were strict requirements about age. Since the expectation was a young, pretty woman, the retirement age up to around the1960s was typically around 35. Today, however, that’s not the case at all.

You can become a flight attendant at 50. Flight attendants can begin to train at older ages now, for US-based airlines. However, an older attendant must still be sprightly enough to navigate a moving plane and meet the other demands asked of attendants.

Read on to learn more about requirements flight attendants have to follow, how training works, and what to expect when first becoming an attendant. Just because age usually is not important doesn’t mean that there aren’t other strict guidelines that attendants must follow.

Age Trends in the Industry

The average age of flight attendants has been creeping up over the years. In fact, the average age of women is 46.3, and the average age of men attendants is 42.5.

When women first started as “air hostesses,” in the 1930s, there were strict requirements on age. As a New York Times article published in 1936 states, women must be “between 20 and 26 years of age.” Since then, the maximum age no longer exists in most airlines, and the typical age of an attendant is much older.

Flight Attendant Training – Will Your Age Set You Back?

Another important aspect to consider when thinking about being a flight attendant at an older age is the training and initial stages of work. Training is intensive, and you may be away from home for a few weeks. And after that, the newest hires get the most undesirable schedules and flights – meaning you may be working nights, days on weekends, or on holidays.

If you’re middle-aged, you might find that the inflexible hours and weeks away from your family are not for you. However, plenty of middle-aged people take up the task, and you could, too! Read on to learn more about what your first months may look like.

Application

The first step in becoming an attendant is applying. You’ll be asked typical questions, and about previous job experiences. Some airlines, such as Alaska, ask for attendants to have previous experience in customer service or community service. If you pass the initial screening, you’ll get an interview. If you pass the interview, you’re hired!

Training

According to a CNBC journalist who shadowed a flight attendant on her shift, training to be an attendant can be intense. At Delta, there is an 8-week session of classes, physicals, and exams that attendants must go through (and pass!) before moving on to flying. Since safety on flights is crucial, attendants will also attend a good amount of safety classes, and learn about what to do in case of emergency.

Older attendants should ask themselves if they are capable of passing swimming tests and maintaining balance while walking in the cabin of a moving plane.

First Weeks and Months

It’s not a secret that the first weeks, months, or even years of being an attendant come with some wacky work hours. The newest recruits are given the least desirable hours, be it holidays, nights, or back-to-back flights.

Young people, with minimal other obligations, might fare well with such an erratic schedule. However, anyone, and especially those with family responsibilities, or those who have adapted to enjoy strict routine, may not enjoy this time as much. Doing some research or talking with seasoned flight attendants may be a good first step in deciding whether a new career in the air is right for you.

Requirements Flight Attendants Must Follow

Each airline will have different rules that flight attendants must adhere to in order to work for the company. While there are some general requirements that span most airlines, there are also some very specific ones that might strike you as strange or strict. Older attendants who are just starting out may want to carefully study these requirements to ensure that they’re ready for the job ahead.

General Requirements

A minimum age. Typically the age is 18, but some airlines ask for attendants to be 19 or even up to 22 before starting on the job.
Secondary education. Attendants must have at least a high school diploma before enrolling in training.
Uniforms. Pretty much all airlines have strict dress codes, typically with white shirts and dark blazers. Women usually wear skirts, and men wear slacks. Some uniforms require women to wear heels, further increasing the challenge of balancing, while reducing the effort needed to reach a high compartment.
Height. In order to be able to reach baggage in overhead bins, or hand refreshments to a window-seat passenger, airlines set a minimum height of around 62 inches or 147.5 cm.
Weight. While weight is not strictly monitored, you should be a “healthy” weight for your height, which can be determined by BMI. You also need to be able to fit in the narrow aisleways comfortably.
Grooming and appearance. Airlines want their flight attendants to look “nice,” and many guidelines center around not having visible tattoos or too many piercings. General good hygiene is also encouraged.

Specific Requirements by Airline

Alaska Airlines: Asks attendants to have a “tolerance for wacky schedules in the beginning of your career,” according to their website. Younger, single people may have an easier time with this than older attendants with families.

American Airlines: States that “noticeable” hair in ears or nostrils be removed, according to an article in The Telegraph. American Airlines also ask for attendants to have clean teeth, with breath fresheners encouraged, and colored braces not allowed.

United Airlines: As of 2016 stated that male attendants are not allowed to wear makeup or have so-called “trendy” facial hair. This included certain types of goatees, mustaches, and beards.

Alaska Airlines: Requires applicants to be nicotine-free for six months prior to applying. There’s no time to take a smoke break on long flights!

Benefits of Being a Flight Attendant – No Matter Your Age!

Travel. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that attendants get to see new cities while working. Even if a layover is short, an attendant will be able to grab a bite from a new restaurant or take a walk to quickly explore a new place.
The camaraderie. Since flight attendants work as part of a crew, many close friendships are formed on long flights.
The flexibility. While the starting flight schedule may be tough, after a few months, attendants get weeks where they only work a few days, and have plenty of free time. This works well for those who are able to trade a few long days for a few days off.

Conclusion

Plenty of middle-aged Americans apply and train to be flight attendants. While attendants do typically start out younger, the average age hovers around the mid-forties, and has been increasing since “air hostesses” were first added to airplanes!

If you’re an older flight attendant, there are a few things you should consider before committing yourself to undergo training. Since there are requirements physically, you need to check your height, weight, and balance before working. Additionally, the time commitment can be intense in the first few weeks. If you have a family, are you willing to work a wacky schedule?

Lastly, there are tons of great things about being a flight attendant. If you’re willing to sacrifice a little time, you can travel all over and create great new friendships.

Can You Become a Flight Attendant at 50?