A cabin crew member is a person who has been assigned by an airline to be responsible for the safety of the passengers while the flight is in operation. Let us talk a little about the history of cabin crew members. Years back when commercial aviation came into being there were cabin boys who would do similar tasks. Gradually, women staff started replacing them. Initially, female nurses were coming on board and they were called the stewardesses.
An air hostess is also a flight attendant and a cabin crew member. Apart from the basic responsibility of ensuring the safety of the passengers, they also conduct pre-flight checks, provide assistance to passengers in finding their seats, sitting comfortably, arranging their meals and ensuring that all safety regulations are followed.
The Professional Diploma course in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management is a gateway to the world of flights, hotels and tours. The programme is usually opted by graduates and opens up different job opportunities in this expanding sector. It is also an avenue to know in detail about the industries.
In this blog, we will take a sneak peek into these exciting domains, learn about the career prospects, the course in general and the future of the industry. So, without wasting more time let’s dive right into the topic at hand.
Is Cabin Crew /Air Hostess a Good Career?
The aviation industry is growing at a steady pace. There are a number of airlines in the domestic and international arena. Cabin crews and flight attendants are irreplaceable and there is a constant requirement. It is a respectable job with decent pay structures too. This is indeed a good career option for those interested in travel and hospitality-related jobs. It has a good career path too. Air hostesses are promoted as ground staff and other related jobs.
What is the Role of Cabin Crew /Air Hostess?
An air hostess or a cabin crew member’s foremost duty is to ensure the safety of the flyers. They have the responsibility of keeping the passengers informed about the safety guidelines and norms. They provide assistance for finding the right seats, for providing meals and refreshments, and for any medical assistance. The air hostess’s job is one of extreme responsibility and the role requires you to stay focused and in control no matter what the situation is.
The responsibilities of a flight attendant vary with the requirements of the flight. Broadly, their duties can be divided into – On Ground, In Flight and Landing Responsibilities.
The crew members need to ensure that before the flyers board the plan the emergency and medical kits are in place. They also need to check if the toilets have been cleaned. Air hostesses need to check if the required number of meal packets have been supplied and if all the signals are working.
During the flight, the air hostesses must make sure that all passengers have fastened their seatbelts. They have to serve meals and beverages to all the passengers and make all required announcements.
Once the plane has landed the flight crew ensures that all the flyers are deboarded safely and no belonging or personal items have been left behind. They also make a list of lost and found articles and deposit them with the authorities responsible for the same.
Top Benefits of Cabin Crew / Air Hostess Courses
We all know that an academic degree goes a long way in helping you have a secure career. In the aviation and hospitality sector too, it helps to enrol for specialised courses to become an air hostess or a ground staff member. These programs provide you with adequate knowledge to apply for positions in major airlines.
These courses provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge. These programmes deal with the procedures, regulations, norms and practices of the aviation industry. There are a set of mechanisms that a pilot, a cabin crew member and the ground staff need to keep in mind. All of this information is provided through the courses.
Some of the courses offered as part of the Diploma in Aviation Hospitality & Travel Management programme are:
- Air Hostess/Flight Purser
- Air Ticketing
- Travel Management and Hospitality
- Aviation Security & Safety
- Air Cargo Practices
- Professional Ground Staff
Cabin Crew / Air Hostess Courses Curriculum & Syllabus
The whole idea to enrol into a program for air hostesses is to gather a deep understanding of the various facets of the industry. Most professional courses come with both theoretical and practical sections.
These are the topics covered as part of the syllabus:
- Food and Catering Services
- Aircraft Familiarization
- Flight Evaluation
- Emergency Situation Handling
- Communication Skills
- Passenger Psychology
- In-flight Procedures
- Personality Development
- Passenger Handling
What is the Eligibility Criteria for a Cabin Crew / Air Hostess Course?
A student aspiring to be an air hostess or a cabin crew member needs to have the following skills:
- Good health and physique
- Pleasing personality
- Presence of mind
- Patience to work in long shifts
- Strong communication skills
- Language proficiency
- Positive attitude
- Sense of Humour
Most institutions have a set of eligibility criteria that students need to have for securing admission.
These are as follows:
- Fluency in spoken English or other languages as required
- Candidate should not be above 26 years
- Qualification: 10+2 or Graduation
- Should be unmarried
- Perfect eyesight
- Fair to clear complexion
What is the Fees structure for Cabin Crew / Air Hostess courses?
Air hostess or cabin crew training falls under specialised courses and so institutes rope in professionals and industry experts to impart theoretical and practical knowledge. However, this results in colleges charging a premium fee. The course fee is generally between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,50,000 and this depends on the institution and the course that one has enrolled into. Certificate and Diploma courses have a lower fee as compared to Bachelor programmes.
What is the Duration of Cabin Crew / Air Hostess courses?
The advantage of the Air Hostess training programme is that they come in different durations. While certificate courses are completed in maximum 10 months, some institutes even offer a basic 5-day training programme. The Diploma programme usually takes up to a year. The Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees each are of 2years time. The variation in duration allows students to take up the programme that suits their time availability.
How to Find Top Cabin Crew / Air Hostess Course & Institutes in India
We have a few colleges in the country that offer air hostess training programs. The institutes provide training in on-ground services, air hostess training, handling aviation cargo, hospitality and customer services.
Some of the top institutes offering air hostess programs are:
- Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training
- TransGlobe Academy
- Universal Aviation Academy
- Jet Airways Training Academy
- Bombay Flying Club’s College of Aviation
- Pacific Airways.
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics
Among all these institutes, TransGlobe Academy has a Professional Diploma in Aviation Hospitality and Travel Management. The 12-month course prepares a student for lucrative career options in the industry. TransGlobe Academy is one of the leading institutes offering different aviation courses under one roof.
Read more – Top 8 Reasons: Why To Choose TransGlobe Academy For Bright Career In Aviation Industry
Scope of Cabin Crew / Air Hostess in India & Overseas
Cabin crew members can avail multiple job opportunities in public and private sector airlines. After gaining experience, cabin crew members can become supervisors and oversee junior staffers. These professionals are also assigned administrative and ground duties.
Read more: What Is Scope In Aviation, Hospitality & Travel Management?
Career & Job Opportunities After Cabin Crew / Air Hostess Course
Airlines cannot operate without the required number of air hostesses and cabin crew members. There is a constant demand for candidates with an academic degree in this sector. It is an expanding sector too with career options available in national and international airlines.
Some of the airlines where these students can apply are:
- Jet Airways
- GoAir
- SpiceJet
- IndiGo
- Lufthansa
- Emirates
- British Airways
- Indian Airlines
The average base salary for an air hostess is nearly Rs 5,19,000. A flight attendant with 5-9 years of experience draws a package of around Rs 7,20,000. With increasing years of experience, they can earn as high as Rs 1 lakh. (Source: Payscale).
Read more – Career As Airport Ground Staff: Job Profile, Course, Eligibility, Duties, Salary
Summary
A career that allows you to travel, literally fly, and gives you the opportunity to meet new people every day is surely one anyone will aspire for. This description surely fits the bill for the role of an air hostess or a flight attendant. Not to forget, you also draw a decent salary. With so many of these advantages, one cannot deny that the career of an air hostess is one of the most sought-after. Moreover, you can start your journey in aviation right after your graduation. Isn’t this simply great? Read further to find out where you need to apply now.
Check out TransGlobe Academy’s courses
While there are various colleges in the country that offer a diploma in aviation, TransGlobe Academy, Kerala stands out for a number of significant reasons. TransGlobe lets you complete your course in just 9 months with trusted certifications. It also provides the students with ample placement opportunities and counselling sessions. This could be the perfect opportunity for you to make a mark in aviation. So, what’s stopping you now. Apply Now!