British Airways Cabin Crew Recruitment Process 2024
Want to work for British Airways but unsure of how? Then just follow this simple guide.
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Want to work as Cabin Crew on a variety of aircraft to destinations worldwide? British Airways may be perfect for you!
BA (British Airways) are one of the largest and most cutting-edge airlines in the world today, and want the best of the best for their crew. First you need to see if you meet the British Airways Requirements.
Thinking of applying? Our step-by-step guide is here to help.
Before you start
Think about which branch of BA you’d like to work as Cabin Crew for. Being based at London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports means you’d be flying long-haul and short-haul routes and providing the best of British customer service. If you go for a Cabin Crew role with BA CityFlyer at London City Airport then you’d be catering to a business market with the aim of encouraging repeat fliers and loyal customers.
You’ll need a copy of your current CV, remember to save it in either MS Word or PDF format.
Does your CV need an update?
Step 1 – Suitability Screening and the Application Form
Check our Cabin Crew Jobs Board for BA vacancies, there is a link to take you straight to the BA Careers Website. The airline only takes applications submitted through their site.
Read the job description thoroughly – this tells you exactly what the airline is looking for in applicants. Make sure the position you’re applying for is relevant to your experience – at the moment the airline are posting positions for both newbies and seasoned cabin crew.
The first stage of the recruitment process is actually designed to help you work out whether a Cabin Crew job with British Airways is the right fit for you! There are 10 video scenarios with simple multiple-choice questions. Your answers will determine how well you might adapt to a Cabin Crew role.
You’ll then progress to the Application Form where you’ll need to confirm you meet the job requirements and fill out your personal details. If you need help completing the application form, we can help!.
You’ll also be asked to sign in using social media. This is becoming far more common amongst airlines – make sure your presence on social media reflects your best self and check out mistakes you might be making here.
After uploading your CV, you’ll then be required to complete online psychometric tests. These should take about 35 minutes in total.
Remember to be prepared! Try to set aside time in a quiet place to complete the tests where you’re not likely to be distracted. It’s a good idea to have everything ready that you might need during the tests, like pens, paper and a calculator.
When you’ve finished and submitted the application you’ll receive an email confirming it has been received.
Step 2 – Next steps
If you’ve passed and your application looks good, you’ll receive an email inviting you to self-book a place at the next stage of the application process, the Assessment Day.
Even if you haven’t made it through on this occasion, BA will still email you to let you know, with a feedback report on where you need to improve for your next attempt.
Step 3 – The Assessment Day
You can expect the assessment day to include a presentation about the airline and the job, and group exercises – including a discussion and a customer-service based role-play exercise.
You’ll also have the chance to ask any questions you might have.
You’ll usually be given a choice of dates to attend (you’re responsible for paying your own travel and accommodation costs) at one of the sessions held at the British Airways HQ located near Heathrow Airport.
There will be a functional height and reach test, and you’ll be asked to fill out forms detailing any tattoos or piercings, and any upcoming holidays or commitments you have.
Your documents, qualifications and right to work in the UK will also be checked at this stage.
See our ‘uncovered’ guide to a typical British Airways assessment day here.
Step 4 –The Interview
This final interview for those on the shortlist will take place on the same day as the Assessment Day, lasting around 30-40 minutes and containing in-depth questions to find out how suitable you are for the role.
This is your chance to show the recruiters that YOU are the person that the airline want to have on their crew.
It’s never too early to prepare for your interview, see our guide here.
Following the interview your whole application and performance will be considered. You won’t be left in suspense too long – they’ll aim to get back to you within a week with an offer and contract (if successful!) via the application portal. At this point you’ll be granted access to their ‘Welcome’ site with information for next steps.
Final checks
There are two main checks that need to be carried out before your employment can start, a background check and a medical check.
If the checks are successful you’ll be booked on a week long safety course, get confirmation of the date of your pre-employment training course (this normally lasts around six weeks) and be given your expected start date! You’ll also be asked to book your uniform fitting, and a security interview.
You may also (depending on your circumstances and qualifications) be asked to complete a functional Maths and English Assessment.
So, think the life of British Airways cabin crew is for you?
Why not take a look at Cabin Crew Wings course graduate Laura Lee’s recent article sharing her training experiences and first year in the sky as crew for BA?!
Check our Jobs Board today and start your application – we wish you the best of luck!
Is the Assessment Day seeming a bit daunting? You can give yourself a head start by checking out our Cabin Crew Assessment Day eBook which is bursting with information to help you shine, both in your application and on your assessment day.
Hi, I’m interested in applying for BA. However I currently hold a Zimbabwean passport but I have indefinite leave to remain. Would I still be able to work for BA or would this effect my application?
As long as your passport allows you to travel on an unrestricted basis and has at least 12 months before expiry, you’ll be able to apply with indefinite leave to remain. This is the situation at present but be aware that it may be subject to change!
Hii i.am jinal I wanna to be a airline cabin crew but I cleared GCSE level , after that I don’t know what I have to which course I have to do and after that how can I get the job ?? Can you and me plzz
Hi there, you can find out more about the qualification ‘myths’ for Cabin Crew here, and more about the BA recruitment process in our article – hope this helps!
Hi, I’m a 21 year old male who’s recently become interested in becoming Cabin Crew for BA. I have an apt to attend the assessment day but have tattoos on both wrists which are easily hidden if I wear a long sleeved shirt. I am going to mention it to them when I attend and confirmed this on my application online. Would they still dismiss me at the assessment day?
Hi Jack,
This is a hard one to call – especially as you’ve already disclosed you t tattoos on your application.
BA’s official policy reads as follows:
“As a guide, areas shown in grey on this diagram will not be covered by our uniform (when wearing a short-sleeved shirt). No tattoos must be visible on the face, hands, neck or arms. Additionally, as all our uniform shirts are white, you will be required to wear an appropriate white undergarment if you have a tattoo on your upper body in the blue area, so that your tattoo is in no way visible through the uniform shirt. Any tattoos in the red area must be covered.
Please note that covering tattoos with plasters, jewellery or watches in the grey areas is not permitted and it will remain your personal responsibility that tattoos are never visible when in uniform.”
There’s still a chance you may be sent home, so be prepared for this in the event it happens. The only other option I can recommend would be considering removal if BA is your dream – they may let you continue if you explain you would be willing to do this. It might be best to drop the recruitment team an email to check before the Assessment Day especially if you have some distance to travel.
Hi! I’m very much excited to work as a Cabin Crew as I’m looking forward for it. Can you please send the e-mail address where I can send my application and resume to proceed for it.
Hi there, you can check our jobs board to see if BA are recruiting, and the link will take you to their site for applying.
Hi, I’m interested in working as part of the cabin crew.
Please, could you tell me if you operate from East Midlands Airport?
Thank you
Joanne Pickford.
BA mixed fleet only fly from Heathrow
Our own 2 day course would meet your requirements – you can have a look at the information here! It’s really ‘hands on’ and will help you to know what to expect. If you’d like to ask any questions please drop one of our friendly team an email and we can chat.
Hi Wendy,
There isn’t a specified upper age limit for most airlines – as long as you’re physically fit to carry out the Cabin Crew role, and meet the other basic requirements, you’re free to apply. Airlines value work and life experience (especially customer service) and also your personality and attitude. We have had some older students on our Cabin Crew Course who have changed career after many years and gone on to Cabin Crew jobs very successfully.
Can a 47 Year old guy apply to british airways for the job of cabin crew and or team leader . I think age shouldn’t be a barrier. Please Reply
Regards
ANIL LOBO
Hi there, no your age certainly isn’t a barrier, we have had people older than yourself attend our courses and go on to a successful cabin crew career!
Hey I would love to be cabin crew please inform of the vacancies available I have the cabin crew license
Check out our Cabin Crew Jobs Board for the latest vacancies.