Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

The Work

The duties of the cabin crew (also referred to as Flight attendants and Air Hostesses/Stewards) are aimed at the safety, comfort, and well-being of the passenger. They welcome the passengers on board the aircraft and ensure that they are comfortably seated. They need to communicate with the terminal to ensure that all expected passengers have boarded the flight. They then provide health, safety and emergency information to the passengers before take-off.  

Cabin crew members sell food, snacks and beverages, as well as goods such as souvenirs, perfumes and cosmetics.  

In handling food and drinks, the cabin crew need to be aware of food hygiene procedures and safety in dealing with ovens and hot food, particularly in a moving vehicles and during times of turbulence.  

The duties also include dealing with passenger enquiries and complaints. As the cabin crew is the main link between the airline and its passengers, they are responsible for passengers continuing to use their service. Airlines put a lot of emphasis on a smart appearance and you can expect to wear the airline's uniform, which may include specified shoes and accessories.

Working hours are irregular and involve unsociable hours, including weekends and bank holidays. As a cabin crew member you are expected to be flexible. You may spend nights in cities/countries away from home and be on call from time to time. Some airlines may also ask you to relocate to another country based on operational requirements.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order.
• Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.
• Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.
• Walk aisles of planes to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to takeoffs and landings.
• Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
• Prepare passengers and aircraft for landing, following procedures.
• Administer first aid to passengers in distress.
• Determine special assistance needs of passengers, such as small children, the elderly, or disabled persons.
• Attend preflight briefings concerning weather, altitudes, routes, emergency procedures, crew coordination, lengths of flights, food and beverage services offered, and numbers of passengers.
• Reassure passengers when situations, such as turbulence, are encountered.

Further Information

• Airline Cabin Crew - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Airline Cabin Crew - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Training & Development

Further Education & Training courses (generally NFQ levels 5 and 6) available to give you a good foundation for a career in ‘travel’, such as Airline Cabin Crew & Tourism Studies or International Airline Studies. Search coursefinder 

Specific entry requirements for cabin crew:

You must be between 5 "2 (157 cm) and 6" 2 (188 cm) in height

You have to be able to swim.

You must also be at least 18 years old

You must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU.

Other common entry requirements which some airlines may look for include: work experience in a customer service/sales role, fluency in English, no visible tattoos or piercing, and a certain fitness level.

You will be required to undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting forms are submitted through the employer and cannot be completed by the applicant prior to employment. You can read more about Garda Vetting here.

Airlines generally have their own, mandatory, 4-6 week training courses about safety and emergency procedures. Most airlines offer a trainee salary during the course, but it is competitive and you apply when airlines have openings. You can read more about Cabin Crew processes:  

Aer Lingus’ Cabin crew training 

Ryanair Cabin Crew training 

CareerJet Cabin Crew training 

Some employers provide health & safety or first aid training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed such training prior to employment.

These courses are often provided in local Training Centres or through ETBs (search for courses here). You can read more about health and safety training from the Health and Safety Authority here.

If you change employers, you need to make sure that you have a valid Cabin Crew Attestation (CCA) as this is a legal requirement. This refers to Safety Training and is always part of the initial mandatory training through the airline. See more on the Irish Aviation Authority

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €41k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, duties, shit pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Glassdoor.ie/Indeed.ie/ Jobted.ie/ Payscale/ Talent.com

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment levels grew between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation, numbers employed remained below pre-COVID-19 levels. The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small in the Labour Force Survey for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels.

Approximately a third of persons employed in this occupation work part-time, higher than the national average. The extent to which employment in these occupations will recover to their prepandemic levels is uncertain as affordability and attractiveness for air travel services in particular remains vulnerable to increased energy costs, and consumer demand and preferences given the green agenda and cost of living pressures.

• Aer Lingus

  • Head Office, Dublin Airport
  • 1890 800270
  • Click Here

• Ryanair

  • Click Here

• Stobart Air

  • 1 Northwood Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9
  • +353 (0)1 844 7600
  • Click Here