How to Become a British Airways Cabin Crew in 2024?

Are you planning to pursue your career as a cabin crew or flight attendant? If yes, there are lots of opportunities available worldwide to make your dream come true.

Cabin crew is one of the best career options if you are really passionate, love to explore new places, and serve people. To become an airline’s cabin crew you must fulfill various requirements and appear assessments.

The requirements and hiring processes vary with the airlines and the country you are applying to. In this blog, we will explore the information and tips to become a British Airways Cabin Crew including requirements, recruitment process, training program, salary, uniform, and much more.

So, without further delay let’s get started.

About British Airways

British Airways (BA) is the national flag carrier of the United Kingdom that operates domestic and international flights to more than 160 destinations. The airline has its headquarters in London, England.

BA serves from two primary hubs: London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Talking about the fleet details, the flag carrier currently operates over 253 aircraft including the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A320, A350, A380, and so on.

The airline also conducts flights via codeshare agreements with major airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Jordanian, Qatar Airways, and much more.

How to Become a British Airways Cabin Crew?

British Airways is one of the best airlines in the world and it is always a dream of every aviation enthusiast to work for such a reputed company. To convert your dream into reality, BA offers opportunities to join a cabin crew.

The UK’s flag carrier announces vacancies for cabin crew based in Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City. So, you have the option to apply for Heathrow Cabin Crew, Gatwick Cabin Crew, or London City Cabin Crew.

Let’s find out the basic requirements to apply for a cabin crew vacancy at British Airways.

What qualifications do you need to be a British Airways cabin crew?

Here are the basic requirements you need to fulfill before applying for British Airways Cabin Crew.

• The minimum age of an applicant must be 18 years.
• Applicants must hold a valid passport.
• Must obtain legal authorization to live and work in the United Kingdom.
• Must obtain legal authorization to travel in and out of the UK.
• Visible Tattoos or Body Piercings are strictly prohibited.
• Applicants must be able to pass medical and physical assessments.
• Must be able to work as per airline requirements.
• Fluency in the English Language (Reading, Writing, and Speaking) is a must.
• Good communication, as well as interpersonal skill, is also required.
• Applicants with customer service experience are highly preferred.
• Must pass Pre-Employment and Security checks including Criminal Record Checks (CRC).

In addition to these basic requirements, applicants are required to meet physical prerequisites also.

• The height requirement is between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 2 inches.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) must be normal.
• Applicants must have a minimum arm reach of 201cm.
• Must be able to swim 50m (55 yards).
• Must have physical ability to lift weights up to 9kg and pull a trolley weighing 80-90 kg.
• Must be able to fit into an aircraft jump seat harness without using a seatbelt extension.

British Airways Cabin Crew Hiring Process

If you meet all the basic requirements listed above, you are now ready to apply for the cabin crew vacancy at British Airways. To apply accurately, you need to go through the following processes.

• First of all, you need to visit the British Airways Careers site and search for cabin crew vacancies. You are required to choose the location (Heathrow, Gatwick, or London City) and read the requirements carefully before applying for the cabin crew vacancy.
• If you are ready, you can submit an online application and complete a pre-assessment via the careers website.
• The airline recruitment team will carefully screen your application and if you manage to pass the initial training, you will be asked to self-book onto an assessment centre.
• You will go through Right to Work (RTW) and Uniform check initially during the virtual assessment. The current BA Cabin crew will also demonstrate airline presentation and cabin crew roles. During the virtual assessment, the airline will also conduct role play and interviews to know more about your enthusiasm.
• If you manage to pass the virtual assessments, the airline will send you an offer and contract with your start date through the application portal. You are then requested to sign the contract and complete additional information. With that, you will get access to the ‘Welcome’ site where you will find useful information before joining the BA Cabin Crew.
• Pre-employment and security checks including Criminal Record Checks (CRC), financial probity, and full 5-year pre-employment airside checks will be conducted.
• After pre-employment checks, you will go through security interviews, height and reach functionality assessments, medical tests, and uniform fitting.
• After completing all these steps successfully, you are now officially selected as a cabin crew for British Airways.

All the selected cabin crews must attend Cabin Crew New Entrant Training before joining the service.

British Airways Cabin Crew Training Program

To become eligible for the Cabin Crew New Entrant Training program, you must hold a Cabin Crew Attestation (CCA). This attestation is compulsory if you wish to work as a Cabin crew within a member state of the European Community.

CCA is a certificate of professional competency that allows you to commence duties of Cabin Crew on European Community Registered aircraft.

If you have already obtained CCA, you can directly join the training program. If not, you need to complete a Wet Drill Course conducted by the BA training partner Skypeople to get the CCA.

The British Airways Cabin Crew New Entrant training is conducted for 4 to 6 weeks that also includes the CCA training for those who don’t have it. Those crews already holding a valid CCA can directly start the training without having to complete CCA training.

The New Entrant Training Program covers all the general procedures, safety training, airline policies, aviation regulations, aircraft familiarisation, emergency handling, and so on. This training is conducted at the BA’s state-of-the-art training facility in Heathrow or Gatwick.

The successful completion of the initial cabin crew training program will finally allow you to work for commercial flights.

British Airways Cabin Crew Interview Questions

You can prepare for some common interview questions that might be asked during the BA Cabin Crew interview.

Some important Cabin Crew Interview questions are listed below.

• Tell us about yourself.
• What do you know about British Airways?
• Why do you want to work as a Cabin Crew?
• Why should we hire you as our Cabin Crew?
• Do you have any previous customer service experience or have you worked for other airlines?
• Have you ever dealt with an upset or angry customer? If yes, how did you handle the situation?
• Can you adjust to our intensive working hours?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your strategies to handle stressful tasks?
• What do you think the qualities of a proficient cabin crew are?
• What are your language proficiencies?
• Are you familiar with technology, email, and the internet?

British Airways Cabin Crew Uniform

British Airways Cabin Crew Salary

The salary of cabin crew at British Airways varies according to the location. Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City Cabin Crew’s salary is different.

Salary for Gatwick Cabin Crew

The salary of Gatwick Cabin Crew starts from £15,808 (US$21,174) per year for long-haul flights and £15,205 (US$20,367) per year for short-haul flights.

Talking about the bonuses, cabin crew will get a duty pay of £3.62 per hour when they are flying.

Salary for Heathrow Cabin Crew

The salary of Heathrow Cabin Crew is slightly more than Gatwick Cabin Crew.

Cabin Crew working at Heathrow earn a basic pay of £16,000 (US$21,431) per year. They can earn up to £28,000 (US$37,505) per year including flying/duty pay and bonuses.

Salary for London City Cabin Crew

London City Cabin Crew can earn between £21,000 and £27,000 (US$28,128 and US$36,165) per year being part of the BA CityFlyer Cabin Crew. The starting or base salary is £15,152 (US$20,295).

British Airways Cabin Crew Benefits

In addition to the basic salary, flight allowances, duty pay, and other bonuses, cabin crew at British Airways enjoy various benefits and perks.

• Paid Annual Leave
• Investment in ongoing training and development
• Travel Discounts at other partner airlines
• Free airport parking
• Unlimited discounted airfares for family, relatives, and friends
• Discount schemes on hotels, restaurants, retail stores, car hire, and so on
• Pension Scheme and Flexible Benefits Scheme
• Health and Life Insurance
• Designer Uniform
• Leadership and Management Programmes

British Airways Cabin Crew Bases

British Airways announces vacancy for cabin crew based in Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City. 

So, the cabin crew bases for BA flights are:

• London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
• London Gatwick Airport (LGA)
• London City Airport (LCY)

Conclusion on Becoming British Airways Cabin Crew

This is how you can become a successful cabin crew for British Airways. If you meet all the requirements and possess the required skills and enthusiasm, you must apply for the cabin crew vacancy at BA and make your dream come true.

In conclusion, embarking on a journey to become a part of the British Airways Cabin Crew is a rewarding endeavor that promises excitement, personal growth, and the opportunity to create unforgettable experiences for passengers from around the world. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can pave your way toward a successful career in the aviation industry.

Always remember that the path to becoming a British Airways Cabin Crew member requires dedication, perseverance, and continuous self-improvement. As you navigate through the rigorous selection process, hone your skills, and embrace the values of customer service, safety, and teamwork, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in this dynamic role.

Beyond the thrill of travel and the allure of a glamorous lifestyle, the essence of being a part of the British Airways Cabin Crew lies in the genuine connections you forge with passengers and colleagues alike. Your dedication to ensuring their comfort, safety, and well-being will not only make each flight memorable but also solidify British Airways’ reputation for exceptional service.

The information we discussed above is almost enough to apply for the BA Cabin Crew vacancy. However, if you have any doubts or queries don’t forget to write in the comment section below or contact us.

FAQs on Becoming British Airways Cabin Crew