Starting a cabin crew career is an exciting experience, and it all begins with training. For those aspiring to work in the skies, initial cabin crew training is the crucial first step. This training is about more than just serving passengers – it prepares you for every aspect of the flight attendant job.
If you are considering a cabin crew career or simply curious about the process, here is a detailed guide to everything you need to know about cabin crew training.
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How long is cabin crew training?
Every aspiring cabin crew member starts their journey with initial cabin crew training. This type of training is a dynamic and immersive experience specially crafted to provide first-time cabin crew with the skills and confidence.
Depending on the airline, the process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks to complete. Days are long and packed with theory, practical exercises, and assessments. The initial cabin crew training is structured to simulate real-life scenarios, ensuring trainees are fully prepared for the job’s demands.
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Topics covered in Initial Cabin Crew Training
1. General theoretical knowledge of aviation
This is the cornerstone of initial cabin crew training, where aspiring flight attendants gain an understanding of aviation regulations, flight phases, and their corresponding responsibilities. Trainees are introduced to critical procedures such as pre-flight briefings, preparation and safety checks, passenger boarding, pushback, taxi, and takeoff.
Trainees also learn to manage in-flight tasks during cruise, turbulence, descent, approach, landing, and post-flight duties, including transit stop procedures. A key focus is placed on passenger surveillance, the silent review concept, sterile flight deck rules, and responsibilities during aircraft refueling and refueling.
Handling emergencies is a crucial part of cabin crew training, preparing trainees for unexpected and planned situations. They learn to manage ground emergencies, in-flight decompression, fires, and other surprises, all while ensuring passenger safety and keeping the cabin ready for anything.
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2. Communication in aircraft operations
Flight attendants need to master both verbal and non-verbal communication on board. This includes understanding normal, abnormal, and emergency communication, as well as key terms. They also learn effective communication techniques and the importance of active listening. In addition to this, they are trained to recognize barriers to communication, like cultural differences, language, and varying levels of understanding.
During this stage, cabin crew training focuses on delivering passenger announcements during different phases of the flight and in emergencies, such as medical cases, turbulence, or an aborted takeoff. They also learn how to report aircraft cabin defects through a technical log.
3. Introductory on human factors and crew resource management
An introduction to human factors (HF) and crew resource management (CRM) focuses on how individual behaviors and team dynamics affect flight safety and operations. In the HF section, flight attendants study accidents and incidents where human factors play a role. They also explore aviation physiology, such as sensory limitations, disorientation, hypoxia, hyperventilation, decompression sickness, and high-altitude conditions.
The psychology of aviation, including workload, is also covered. It is also important for cabin crew to learn about CRM concepts, personality awareness, self-assessment, and self-critique. They study human error, why mistakes happen, and examples from aviation. Stress management techniques, the principles of fatigue, and skills for maintaining situational awareness are also part of the training.
4. Passenger handling and cabin surveillance
Each flight attendant must be familiar with passenger handling and aircraft cabin surveillance. This includes securing the passenger compartment, checking cabin equipment, and preparing the cabin for takeoff, landing, and turbulence. Flight attendants must also follow strict security procedures, manage seating allocations with attention to aircraft mass and balance, and handle special passenger categories.
They learn how to conduct safety briefings, ensure proper use of child restraint devices, and manage the carriage of live animals. Additionally, they oversee the safe stowage of cabin baggage and service items and are trained to recognize different types of turbulence and the associated precautions.
5. First aid training
Cabin crew are trained to provide basic medical assistance, from treating minor injuries to performing CPR – sometimes acting as the first line of help in emergency situations. This step of the initial training covers a wide range of medical scenarios onboard, such as air sickness, burns, fractures, heart attacks, and asthma.
Flight attendants must learn how to respond to more serious situations like unconsciousness, shock, and even childbirth. They are taught how to use onboard first aid equipment, including oxygen, medical kits, defibrillators (AEDs), and more. Cabin crew are also trained in CPR, travel health, hygiene practices, disease prevention, and even handling clinical waste or a death on board. It is all part of ensuring passengers are in safe hands, no matter the emergency.
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6. Dangerous goods
Here, cabin crew learn how to identify and handle hazardous materials onboard. Flight attendants learn about flammable liquids, gases, explosives, and toxic substances. They are trained to recognize dangerous goods by labels, symbols, and classifications. This training includes emergency procedures for fires, spills, and leaks as well as safe storage, handling, and documentation practices.
7. General security aspects in aviation
These cover understanding reporting procedures, responding to security incidents, and being aware of past unlawful acts, terrorist threats, and current security risks. It also involves knowledge of relevant legal requirements in the field.
8. Fire and smoke training
During this step, flight attendants gain a deeper understanding of fire chemistry and the classification of different fire types, as well as the smoke and fumes that may occur in the passenger cabin. They learn about the unique challenges of fighting fires in confined spaces. The training covers fire prevention measures, how to monitor smoke detection systems and the necessary actions for coordination and assistance when fire or smoke is detected.
Flight attendants become familiar with various firefighting and protection equipment available onboard, including extinguishing agents like Halon, water, and Halotron, as well as protective breathing equipment in different types and models. They also must learn about aircraft fire-suppression systems, such as smoke detection systems in lavatories and crew rest areas, built-in extinguishing systems, and effective firefighting techniques.
9. Survival training
Flight attendants are trained for survival situations in hostile environments like polar regions, deserts, jungles, and at sea. They have to learn to protect themselves, find water and food, and maintain hygiene. The training includes actions to take after an emergency landing, such as caring for injured survivors and providing first aid.
Crew members also learn to give ground-to-air signals and use signaling devices as well as use of flotation equipment, such as slide-rafts, and life-rafts.
What happens after Initial Cabin Crew Training?
Once training is completed, the beginners officially step into their roles as cabin crew members, ready to kickstart their careers. But before they take off, there is one more crucial step: airline-specific training. This training focuses on the specific characteristics and procedures of different aircraft types within an airline’s fleet.
Here is a little breakdown of what it generally involves:
- Aircraft layout and configuration. Crew members are trained on the seating arrangements, location of emergency exits, galley configurations, and the arrangement of safety equipment specific to each aircraft type. This ensures they know exactly where to find critical resources in an emergency.
- Safety and emergency procedures. Each aircraft type has its own set of emergency systems (for example, doors, exits, oxygen masks) and procedures (such as evacuation routes, and emergency brace positions). The cabin crew is trained on how to operate these systems effectively, including dealing with specific aircraft-related emergencies.
- Cabin systems. Crew members are trained to understand the in-cabin systems unique to the aircraft, such as air conditioning, lighting, and pressurization, so they can monitor these systems during flights and respond to any malfunctions.
- Door and emergency equipment operation. Flight attendants must learn how to operate different types of doors (manual or automatic) and emergency equipment, which can vary depending on the aircraft model as well as on the airline’s internal policy.
- Communication systems. Training also includes familiarization with the specific aircraft’s communication systems, such as the intercom and public address systems, to ensure smooth communication with both passengers and flight crew.
- Passenger handling. This aspect focuses on the best practices for managing passengers on each specific aircraft type, taking into account any design features that might affect passenger comfort or safety.
- Specialized customer service training. Since each airline has its unique standards of service, every flight attendant must get up to speed with the specific expectations of their airline.
After cabin crew members pass written exams, practical tests, and role-playing scenarios, they receive essential certifications confirming they are ready to take on their duties. These include the Cabin Crew Attestation (CCA) for European airlines under EASA regulations, First Aid and CPR certification, and airline-specific safety and emergency procedure certifications.
However, the learning does not stop there! New recruits often undergo probationary flights, where they are evaluated by senior crew members.
What is recurrent training for cabin crew?
To ensure safety and efficiency, airlines require crew members to undergo recurrent training at regular intervals, usually annually, after the initial program. So, what is covered?
Recurrent training is a crucial tool for maintaining certifications and ensuring cabin crew remain sharp and prepared for any situation. It begins with a refresher on safety procedures, keeping flight attendants up to date with the latest protocols and ready for rare, high-risk scenarios like water landings. Another key area of focus is emergency drills, where crew members practice handling emergency landings, fire containment, and using updated safety equipment.
Medical updates are also vital, covering everything from new medical protocols to managing potential health risks, such as infectious disease outbreaks. The recurrent training ensures crew stays informed about evolving security threats and response strategies.
Ready to join the ranks of cabin crew members who keep the skies safe and comfortable? Initial training is where it all begins! In just a few weeks, you will learn everything you need to set the stage for a successful aviation career. So, do not waste another minute – explore the latest flight attendant vacancies here, apply for the role, and get your training underway right away!