Can you be a flight attendant if your short but wear high heels?

Question

I know you need to be able to reach stuff, but what if you could do it if you were wearing heels? Its the same thing isn't it? I'm considering different jobs at the mo and I either want to be a flight attendant, or dancer so just wondering.

Answer 1

ALWAYS wear platform high heels, makes you look sexier~!!!

Answer 2

I passed interviews for three airlines and all of them required 5'2" as the minimum. Some of the regional airlines go even lower as their planes are smaller so they have different height standards. Several major airlines have subsideraries who operate separately and hire F/A's on their own. These would still give you travel benefits on their bigger operations.

Some airlines have even started measuring reaching heights. You stand flat and reach up and that's measured. I'm not sure how it calculates overall, i.e. whether that can override the height minimum.

If you are a European national, look into working for some of the Asian carriers. They like to hire in Europe to meet the language requirements since they can't find enough who speak the different European languages to meet their passengers' needs. So obviously, speaking French, German, Italian, etc. is probably required but not necessarily the language of the airline. You would communicate with the rest of the crew in English.

Asian airlines usually have shorter height requirements. I had a British coworker who spoke Italian and worked for Japan Air and another French but originally from Cambodia, was hired by ANA since he was too short for Air France.

You would be based in Europe and fly to that specific Asian city. Not sure how the pay measures up nor how your scheduling would work. Do the homework if you think this unusal flying career option would interest you.

The Middle Eastern airlines usually hire European F/A's as well. Not sure of their height requirements.They do require you to live in their region but often supply housing. Their tax-free earnings did net them some of the best incomes in the industry. Not sure if it's still the case!

Remember that on the ground, there are usually no height minimums (if there are, they're less strict than for F/A's) so that's always a possibiltiy that might work better with dance classes and auditions.

We were required to remove our heels inflight, even on take-off. Heels would get in the way with emergency evacuations and simply make it tricky if you had to walk over debris, etc. if something went wrong (it rarely does though). It would also be extremely uncomfortable to wear heels inflight as your feet swell. My "inflights" as we called our flats, were a whole size bigger because of that. I couldn't wear them on the ground because I would step out of them, they were so loose.

Flying is a very foot-unfriendly job! Just keep it in mind...

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

The minimum requirements needed
Age

Because of the new age discrimination legislation which came into force from 1st October 2006 all UK based airlines cannot set minimum or maximum age restraints on anybody wanting to work as cabin crew. For any international airlines the minimum age requirement may be set at 18, 19, 20 or even 21 and the maximum could be as low as 32.

Education

Most airlines require you to have at least 4 GCSE's grade c or above (or equivalent) with two of them in English and Math's. We would point out that if you have do not have theses grades do but have a higher education the majority of airlines will accept your application. Some airlines also accept that not everyone excels in school and therefore will overlook qualifications if they have gained excellent customer service experience.

Health

Good health is essential and if you are successful in the selection process, you will normally be required to undergo a medical examination.

Height

Most airlines require you to be no shorter than 5ft 2in and no taller than 6ft 3in. This applies to both men and women. This is for safety, as you will be required to reach equipment that is carried on board the aircraft.

Weight

The airlines do request that your weight must be in proportion to your height.

First Aid

Although having a first aid certificate is not a minimum requirement set by all airlines, it doe however help with your application for the position of cabin crew.

Able to Swim

Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate their ability to swim at least 25 metres, with some airlines its 30 metres.

Second Language

A second language is an advantage, however not essential to most airlines. We do however recommend having a second language, as this will help your application.

Customer service Experience

Customers are the highest priority, therefore airlines seek to recruit cabin crew who have enjoyed working and have excelled in customer contact positions. Also working with special needs, such as the elderly, children and infants and people with physical disabilities would be an advantage.

Passport

When applying to a UK based airline you must be entitled to live and work indefinitely in the UK and hold a valid EU or UK passport, which permits worldwide travel without restrictions. Some International airlines will accept all nationalities, but they must hold an up to date passport from their country of residence.

Good Eyesight

Once successful you will undergo a eye test. If you do not have perfect eyesight then glasses or contact lenses can be worn with most airlines.

Answer 4

Depends on the airline. My job requires heels. We have to wear them. We can switch to flats while in the air if we choose to but in the end its easier for me to keep them on.
If it's any help I'm right at 5' even which is the minimum for my job. I didnt have to pass a reach test. Some do, just not the company I work for.

Answer 5

Most airlines with strict minimum requirements will require you to be at least X feet tall in your stocking feet.

You will notice that working flight attendants will switch from heels to flats for the in-flight section of the trip.

Answer 6

When you go for your first interview with an airline, they will measure your height without shoes on. If they consider you to be too short, they may give you a test where you board an aircraft, take off your shoes, and they'll see if you can reach things in the back of the overhead lockers, liferaft stowages, emergency equipment, etc.

Good luck - the recommended height is around 162cm - 182cm at my airline.

Answer 7

You should check the airlines' web sites to see what the specific physical requirements are. If there's a height requirement, it will be without heels. Good luck!

By the way, I have a friend who is barely 5 feet tall and works for AA.

Answer 8

Actually, short is better as a flight attendant, as long as it's not TOO short. Most airlines will be happy to tell you what their height requirements are. The requirements are based on the equipment (aircraft) that each airline uses.

Good luck.

Answer 9

No you can't. They have strict height requirements for flight attendants, besides it's difficult to be walking up and down a plane in heels. I don't think they're even allowed to wear heels.

Answer 10

HEIGHT- Normally the minimum height is between 5'0-5'1 and the maximum ranges between 5'8-6'3. The height requirements are DIFFERENT at every airline. Many airlines do not even have height requirements, but instead require that you be able to reach to a certain height.
http://www.flightattendantcareer.com/faq.htm

Answer 11

Some of the senior flight attendants on the "legacy" airways, who fly worldwide routes do put on hats. It is an issue of choice. Each airline has it is possess directions for uniform and make-up, however commonly, legit, good groomed, conservative.