Cabin Crew

Career Progression

Career Progression

The career path for crew varies from airline to airline. In most EU and British-based airlines, you can become a Senior Cabin Crew or an Onboard Manager after 12months of flying plus a course that the company will enroll you on.

An idea of progression may be:

  • Cabin Crew
  • Senior Cabin Crew/ Cabin Manager
  • Cabin Crew Trainer/ Instructor
  • Cabin Crew Recruiter
  • Base Manager
  • Network Standards

Other roles

It is often possible to take a secondment during your time as cabin crew, in order to experience another side of the business. You could take your secondment in nearly every department that the company has, depending on your personal qualifications and experience.
Some examples are:

  • Marketing
  • Human Resources
  • Scheduling
  • Crew hotels
  • Admin Roles
  • Sales
  • Customer Service Ground-based roles

Alternative Cabin Crew Roles

Of course, not all cabin crew roles involve you flying for a large commercial airline. There is also the world of corporate flights. It may be beneficial for you to have already worked as cabin crew previously for a well known airline.

The main difference is that you will be working as part of a much smaller crew or sometimes even alone as the sole crew-member looking after a lot less passengers. This may seem easier but don’t be fooled! These passengers will have the highest of standards and expectations, and you may undertake far more responsibility such as sourcing your catering as well as prepping it before serving.

Having experience as cabin crew will open many doors to you, as it is such a well known and multi-skilled role. Some examples of careers that cabin crew have undertaken before and after their flying experience are:

  • Nurse
  • Emergency Services (paramedic/police/fire brigade)
  • Teacher
  • Personal Assistant
  • Human Resources
  • Recruitment

And don’t forget you may even decide to continue your training in aviation further by deciding to become a pilot! Starting out as cabin crew is a fantastic way to experience the industry and see if it suits you before you fully commit. There are many cabin crew who have gone on to fly as pilots as it is often their first introduction to the industry. Why not check out our guide to becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot?