Cabin Crew Age Limit: Am I too Old to Become Cabin Crew?

It’s one of the questions we’re asked most by potential crew members – ‘Am I too old to be cabin crew?’. The answer? It’s more unlikely than ever! Many airlines, particularly in the UK, US and Canada, are removing cabin crew age limit restrictions and actively encouraging more mature applicants.

Maximum Age of Cabin Crew

Contrary to popular belief, there are no universal rules governing the cabin crew age limit in the aviation sector. Employers establish their own guidelines, which vary significantly among airlines and countries. These are influenced by various factors but many airlines are ditching upper age limits and instead focusing on an individual’s continued ability to do their job.

In the United States, most major airlines now have no specific cabin crew retirement age limit. In Europe, British Airways has followed suit. Other airlines such as Air France have a cabin crew retirement age of 65, which aligns with standards across many industries and countries in Europe. Only some Asian and Middle Eastern airlines still enforce mandatory retirement ages for cabin crew between 40 and 50.

Average Cabin Crew Age

Despite the stereotypical image of cabin crew as young, single globe-trotters. The current average cabin crew age around the World is 49 years. And approximately 74% of cabin crew are 40 plus. And this trend towards more mature cabin crew has extended to airline recruitment processes. Many carriers have ditched recruitment upper age limits and are actively encouraging mature applicants looking for a career change.

EasyJet are one such airline. Their current oldest cabin crew member ‘Nana Pam’ is 73 years old. She is now the ambassador for their recruitment drive aimed at those over 45. And why not – there is no reason recruits in their forties can’t be giving safety demos for a few decades to come. Just like the World’s current oldest cabin crew member Bette Nash who is 84 and still flying high. And she’ll need to keep clocking up those air miles for at least 6 more years to match Robert Reardon as the oldest cabin crew ever in-service. He retired from Delta Airways at a spritely 90 years of age.

Benefits of Older Cabin Crew

So why are airlines ditching the cabin crew age limit and employing a more mature team?

• Diverse Skill Sets: Mature cabin crew bring a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the airline industry. Often with years of professional experience behind them, they often excel in communication, problem-solving, and customer service.
• Calm Under Pressure: Having faced various situations throughout their careers, mature cabin crew are often adept at remaining calm under pressure. This resilience is crucial in handling emergencies and ensuring passenger safety during unforeseen circumstances.
• Professionalism and Work Ethic: Older cabin crew have often developed a strong work ethic and professionalism. Their discipline and commitment to excellence often help contribute to a positive work environment and high customer satisfaction.
• Reliability and Commitment: Mature cabin crew members tend to be reliable and committed. They often offer stability and consistency which is a valuable asset to airlines looking to provide a reliable service.
• Statistics show that older employees are more likely to stay with a company for longer.

So if you’re itching for a challenge in 2024, have always hankered after a cabin crew career but thought you’d missed the boat (well – plane!), then you couldn’t be more wrong. Age is very unlikely to stand in your way if you’re fit, healthy, and meet the requirements specified by individual airlines.

For information on those requirements and the latest job openings for cabin crew, head to our jobs board.

And if it’s been a while since you’ve gone through the job application process we’re here to support. The cabin crew recruitment process is notoriously challenging so let us help you. It’s what we do! From eBooks and CV reviews to onsite and online courses packed with everything you need to stand out a mile from the competition. We have it all in our online store.

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