Air Hostess Courses - Careers, Salary, Jobs, Scope

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Why this Course?

India’s Aviation industry is on a high-rate growth ‘flight’. It will become the third largest aviation market by 2026, as reported by International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This sector has seen a vibrant growth over the last decade with rising economic infrastructure and increasing standard of living of the middle class, various unique models have been proposed. As per Goldman Sachs economic report of the country, 6 million aircraft and 400 million passenger departures are predicted by 2030.

Various factors which are responsible for the expansion of this sector include modern airports, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the domestic market, Advancement in technology and low carriage cost.

A lucrative career option for young students/candidates, it should be the first choice of students who have a pleasant personality, communication skills and zeal for travelling to new places.

The job usually involves greeting passengers, guidance, and settlement, coordinating with security, keep regular check with passengers and pilots, assistance in case of emergencies etc. Major recruiters in this field are Indian Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways, Go Air, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, and United Air.

Travel is a key and main part of the job. One gets to visit various places, domestic and global. He/she gets a chance to meet people from various countries, learn new languages and explore new places.

Working hours in this field can range between 60-75 hrs for domestic flights and 80-85 hrs in case of international flights. Also, as per the guidelines laid out by the DGCA no air hostess or steward can fly more than 1000 hrs a year.

Behavior and skills required

Communication Skills

This job requires the person to communicate with passengers and help them with their needs. To understand the problem and convince them requires proficiency in English, Hindi and other foreign languages. Therefore language proficiency is the basic skill required in this field.

Presence of Mind

The structure of this job is not pre-planned. It works with one’s intellectual abilities and their responsiveness toward eventualities. In cases such as emergency landing, the crew is required to calm the passengers, follow the instructions and make everyone follow them.

Team Work

Management of aircraft is no one-man show. The crew works in a team of 10-12 people. Therefore it is important to work with the entire crew.

Pleasing personality

Appearance and attitude play a major role in the recruitment as well as in the job. Good looks, pleasant voice, sense of humor and positive attitude towards passengers are a must.

Ready to work long hours

Since international flight travels can be up to 20hrs long. Personnel in this field are required to serve long hours. Also, delays in flights are common due to bad weather or technical issues.

Salary

An air hostess or steward starts with a domestic airline after clearing numerous training sessions and proficiency checks. The starting salary is anywhere between the Rs.30,000- Rs.35,000 per month if you are part of a domestic crew. Over the years with experience, one becomes an in-flight executive (IFE) wherein they can earn Rs 45,000 to 50,000 per month. After having 4-5 years experience one can get promoted to a senior flight attendant and further head attendant and earn about 8-12 Lac per annum.

For international crew members, pay is around Rs. 65,000- Rs 75,000 per month. IFE’s of these airlines can earn up to Rs 1,00,000 monthly.

In addition to salary packages, airlines also provide monetary and non-monetary benefits like- medical insurances, discount on flights and travel and retirement benefits.

Though the salary is huge and lucrative it comes with strings attached. Long working hours, unearthly timings, strict professionalism and personal-professional life imbalance are the major issues one has to deal with.

Below is a list of annual starting salaries by various domestic airline companies:-

Company Salary
Air IndiGo 4,05,000
Jet Airways 4,37,000
Go Air 3,74,000
Air India 5,13,000
Spice Jet 4,26,000
Vistara Airlines 3,60,000

 

Recruiters

After finishing the required educational qualifications and clearing selection process one gets employed by the top players in the industry. Following is a list of such top companies-

Domestic Airlines

  • Indian Airlines
  • Air India
  • Go Air
  • SpiceJet
  • Vistara
  • Deccan Charters
  • Alliance Air
  • Jet Airways
  • Indigo

International Airlines

  • Gulf Air
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • United Air
  • Qatar Airways
  • Emirates
  • Thai Airways
  • British Airways

Courses

Degree Programs

These programs can be taken by class 12 pass outs(any stream). The duration of the course is 3 years. Among all the programs offered in aviation and hospitality industry, degree courses hold the most value. The courses have been designed keeping in mind the required skills to excel in the air hostess and aviation industry.

Below is a list of some well know degree courses in Airhostess training-

  • Sc in Air hostess training
  • Sc Aviation
  • Bachelor of Travel & Tourism Management
  • Bachelor of Hospitality & Travel Management
  • Degree in International Airline and Travel Management

Diploma Programs

Those who wish to pursue this career option at an early age can opt for a diploma in this field. One can join a diploma program right after clearing his/her class 10 exams. Also, various institutes offer short-term postgraduate diploma programs to undergraduates.

These courses last for 6 months to 1 year depending on the institute. The syllabus and course methodology differs from college to college.

Some well-known diploma programs are-

  • Diploma in Air hostess Training
  • Diploma in Flight attendant/cabin crew training
  • Diploma in Aviation Customer care
  • Diploma in Hospitality & Travel Management
  • Diploma in Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Management
  • Diploma in Aviation and Hospitality Management
  • PG Diploma in International Airline and Travel Management

Certificate Programs

Eligibility required for pursuing a certificate program is usually completion of Class 12 examination. These courses are crafted according to the current needs of the industry and hence the course structure varies from institute to institute.

General certificate courses last between 6months to 1 year. Some institutes also offer 3-month fast track certificate courses and postgraduate (PG) certificate courses.

Popular career driven certificate courses include-

  • Certificate Course in Air Hostess Training
  • Certificate Course in Flight Pursuer
  • Certificate Course in Aviation Management and Hospitality
  • Certificate Course in Airlines Hospitality
  • Certificate Course in Aviation and Hospitality Service
  • Certificate Course in Airline Passenger Service
  • Certificate Course in International Airline and Travel Management

Syllabus

Below is the list of popular courses and their major subjects-

Course Subjects
B.Sc Aviation §  Air Regulation

§  Navigation(Maps, Charts, compass, radio aids)

§  Meteorology(Aviation, Synoptic, Climatology, Elements)

§  Aircrafts & Engines (Airplanes, helicopters, Performance)

§  Flying Experience

M.Sc Aviation §  Aviation Economics

§  Air timetable and ticketing service

§  Aircraft equipment and process

§  Aviation Marketing Management

§  Aircrafts accidents mitigation

§  Airport management

§  Master’s Thesis

Diploma in Aviation Hospitality and Travel Management §  Aviation

§  Personality Development

§  Interview Techniques

§  Communication and soft skills

§  Hospitality management

§   Travel management

§  CRS Training

§  Foreign Language

§  Fares and ticketing

Diploma in Aviation and Hospitality management §  Introduction to aviation Industry

§  Professional Communication Skills

§  Cabin Management

§  Crew Resource Management

§  Emergency procedures

§  Fire safety and security Procedures

§  First aid & Dangerous Goods rules

§  Practical I & II

Diploma in Air Hostess Training §  Aviation

§  Hospitality

§  Travel & Tourism

§  Grooming

§  Communication skills

§  Persona Enhancement

§  First Aid Training

§  Practical Training on Fidelio and Galileo

Certificate Course in Air Hostess §  Aviation & Awareness of Indian airline

§  Personality Development

§  Hospitality – Food & Beverages

§  Communication skills

§   Safety, security, and first aid

§  Duties and responsibilities of cabin crew

§  Travel & Tourism

Certificate in Aviation and Hospitality services §  Personal Grooming

§  Effective communication skills

§   Personality building

§  Teamwork

§  Hospitality

§  First aid

Certificate Course in Aviation Hospitality and Travel Management §  Aviation

§  Grooming and Fitness

§  Customer Relations

§  Cabin Crew skills sets

§  Detailed cabin crew procedures

§  Familiarization tour of airport

§  Confidence and attitude building

§  Project Work

 

 Popular Institutes

Instates play a key role in grooming one’s abilities. Understanding the aviation industry and it’s know how’s is important to get selected by top recruiters. Therefore one must pursue a degree/diploma/certificate course from recognized institute.

Below is a list of top institutes providing various courses in the aviation/air hostess industry.

Frankfinn Institute of Air hostess Training

Founded in 1993, FIAT it is one of the most prominent aviation institutes in the country. It has over 100 centers in 93 cities as well as 3 international centers in Dubai, Hongkong, and Mauritius. Over the years it has grown not just in aviation but in hospitality, travel, management and customer service as well.

For six consecutive years (2011-2016), it has bagged the award for “Best Training Institute” by ASSOCHAM.

The total fee for Diploma course is around 1.5Lac. As provided by the alma mater the highest placement salary drawn was 21 Lac. Major recruiters in the aviation industry include, Qatar Airways, Go Air, Jet Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Air India etc.

As per the official website, following are the courses offered by the Institute-

Courses Duration
Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management 12 Months
Diploma in Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service 12 Months
PG Diploma in Aviation and Hospitality Service 12 Months
PG Diploma in Airport Ground Service 12 Months
PG Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service 3 Months

Contact Address- C-12 Vishal Enclave, 2nd Floor, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi

Contact Number-+ 91-011-2517 0644

Contact Email- corporate@frankfinngroup.com

 

Wings Air hostess and Hospitality Training

Located in Vadodara, Gujarat, It is one of the most prestigious and prominent air hostess training institutes. Its AHTTM program provides students with a unique mindset to deal with the stress level and jet lag. In addition, at the end of the training candidates receive “In Flight & Airport Experience Certificate” and “Cambridge Certificate for English”.

The 5 in 1 program includes Personality development course, Customer relationship management, International hospitality operations, CRS Course, First Aid training and more.

Their independent Job Zone Integrated preparation helps 100% internship and 24 hrs assistance.

They have taken the initiative to introduce India’s First Mock airbus which helps students to have a real-life exposure.

Other than their 12 months aviation/air hostess course (Aviation, Hospitality, and Travel & Tourism Management) one can enroll in various courses in Hotel management, Ground management, Travel and tourism, personality development and Galileo CRS Training.

Contact Address- 1st floor Ramkrishna Chambers, Near Neptune Towers, BPC Road, Alkapuri, Vadodara, Gujarat.

Contact Number- 02652342742, 9978920326

Contact Email-wings.institute@yahoo.com

 

Universal Aviation Academy

Universal Aviation Academy (UAA) established in 1996 has its headquarters in Chennai. The academy is committed to impart its students with soft skills theoretically and practically.

The institute provides a distinctive approach with the development of interpersonal skills and personality development.

In addition, UAA is the only institute to provide international cabin crew training SIP and is authorized by IATA for cabin crew, as per the official website.

The eligibility criterion for admission is the completion of class 12 or junior college. Those in persuasion of class 12 can also apply.

The academy has a strict admission process which involves aptitude test and personal interview.

Below is a list of few popular courses offered by the Institute-

  • IATA Certified Airhostess/ Flight Steward
  • Diploma in Airlines & Travel Management
  • Diploma in Airport Ground Staff with on job training
  • Diploma in Airfare and ticketing
  • Airhostess/Steward (SEP Training)- Duration 60 days
  • Ground Staff Training- Duration 60 days

Contact Address- 15, South India Co-operative Building, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- 600002

Contact Number- +91-044-4294 8000

Contact Email-uaa@uniaviation.com

 

Jet Airways Training Academy

The training academy has its headquarters in Mumbai. It has two other branches in Delhi and Kolkata. The basic criterion for admission for its programs is the clearance of higher secondary course or 12th grade. After clearing the basic requirement one needs to go through personal interview and profiling round.

As part of the course, one needs to have at least 90% attendance. The training process under the course offers a visit to cabin crew, understanding of the behind the scene work, and performing mock drills.

Following is a list of courses offered by this academy-

  • Certificate courses in flight- Duration 90 Days
  • Certificate course in ticket reservation- Duration 90 Days
  • Personality Development – Duration 45 days

Contact Address- Jet Airways India Ltd, Building a palm court, 4th floor, Plot No :20/4, MaharanaPratapChowk, Sector 14, Gurgoan, Haryana.

Contact Number- 022-61212982

Contact Email-recruitment@jetairways.com

 

Bombay Flying Club College of Aviation, Mumbai

It is the oldest aviation Institute in India, founded by the late J.R.D Tata in 1928. It is the only institute in the country which is approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Govt of India. BFCCA is renowned for its professionalism.

It offers 1-year diploma in aviation safety and hospitality. The eligibility criterion for admission is the clearance of class 12th exams or equivalent qualification.

Trained crew members of the institute are part of domestic and international airlines like Air India, Sahara, Singapore airlines, Emirates among others.

Contact Address-Juhu Aerodrome, Opp. Nanavati Hospital, S.V Road, Vile parle-West, Mumbai

Contact Number- 91-22-26606499/ 2100/ 1871

Contact Email-cabincrew@bfcaviation.com

More institutes

  • Indigo training Centre
  • PTC- Aviation Academy
  • Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics
  • IPEG India
  • Air Hostess Academy (AHA), Bangalore
  • Air Hostess Academy (AHA), Chandigarh
  • Air Hostess Academy (AHA), Delhi

 

Eligibility/Qualification

Educational Qualification

The minimum qualification one requires for getting into a degree/certificate program is the clearance of class 12th examinations.

Those willing to pursue diploma course, are eligible after completion of class 10th examination.

If one decides to pursue postgraduate diploma, he/she should at least complete graduation from a recognized university/institute.

Moreover, one must have excellent communication and inter-personnel skills. Also, English and Hindi languages should be known to the candidate. Knowledge of foreign language is an added advantage.

Physical Standard

The job of an air hostess/steward is all about physical appearance and behavior.

Following is a list of standard one must meet-

  • Clean complexion
  • No pimple, blemishes, scars or visible tattoo.
  • Minimum Height- At least 157cm or 5.2” for women. At least 164cm or 5.4” for men.
  • Weight must be proportionate to height.
  • Physically fit & attractive.

Age & Marital Status

Age bar varies from institute to institute. Usually, the preferable age is between 17 to 26 years. Ranging from diploma courses to PG courses.

Marital status eligibility depends upon the by-laws of the institute. Most institutes and airlines prefer unmarried candidates though some of them allow married aspirants too.

Medical Condition

The job involves flight hours up to 20 hrs and therefore one must be medically fit for this job role. Airlines have an eyesight requirement of minimum 6/9. One must not be airsick is one of the basic medical requirements of this profession.

Also, candidates suffering from any major health problems are a big ‘NO’ for this industry.

NOTE

Various airlines have made mandatory for air hostess or steward to have a valid passport.

Admission

This section answers a common question among aspirants which is “How to become an Air hostess or steward”.

Following is a list of steps one needs to follow to become part of a cabin crew-

  • One can straight away apply to an airline which advertises in mass media outlets like newspaper, magazines etc.
  • Airlines like Jet Airways also hire candidates through their online website. Wherein candidates are required to fill up a basic form and report to their center/office for an interview and screening.
  • Entrance exams are also conducted by the airline. Clearance of this will lead to an interview round wherein the assessment of one’s communication skills, voice, personality, language fluency etc is done.
  • If a candidate is selected, he/she is sent to a paid-training program for 6 months.

Examination

Airlines do not directly recruit candidates. There is a selection process which involves 2-3 basic exams. One needs to clear to be recruited by the company.

Written Examinations

It is a pretty simple exam to test aptitude and reasoning skills of the candidate. Usually, the exam consists of multiple choice questions.

One needs to prepare for these exams with a major focus on improving qualitative skills and less on the quantitative side.

Clearance to this will lead to a group Discussion (GD) round or Personal Interview as per the institute/company’s selection process.

Group Discussion

Under this round, the candidate is tested on his communication skills, leadership qualities, teamwork and presence of mind.

Generally, a current affairs topic is provided to a panel of 5-10 applicants. Therefore one must be aware of such scenarios. Reading newspaper regularly can be very helpful and an added advantage.

Personal Interview

This is the last round wherein candidate has a face to face interaction with the interviewer/s. Body language, confidence, versatility, enthusiasm, cooperation, and openness are the qualities under which candidates are judged.

Scope

The growth of in this field is highly dependent on the aviation industry. As per the October 2017 edition report by IBEF, the last decade(2007-17), has seen over 11% growth in the passenger traffic which is estimated to be a 500 million by 2032. With the liberalization in the FDI policy, more investment is expected to be contributed to this sector.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has planned to increase its capital expenditure by 25% to Rs 2500crore in the 2017-18 Union Budget.

Government Initiatives

  • UDAN

Under Governments new rural connectivity plan under UdeDeshKaAamNagrik (UDAN), an addition of 31 unreserved airports to over 128 rural routes is planned. Also, the program requires airlines to cap half of the seats at 50% discounted fare.

This growth will further increase the need for aircrafts. As a direct result, more jobs and employment opportunities will be available for the eligible candidates in this field.

  • Open sky policy

Currently, under the open sky policy, there is no flight restriction between India and US. Further, with some restriction, India has a limited open sky with UK and ASEAN. Also, it has bilateral agreements with over 100 countries.

  • NCA Policy 2016

Under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, a proposal has been made to remove all restriction regarding the number of flights in SAARC countries and additional 5000 radii from New Delhi.

Conclusion

With airline industry flourishing with the emergence of new companies and massive investment, the demand for air hostess will also be high. The career of air hostess offers lucrative salary packages and work environment, therefore attracting the young workforce of the country.

The industry offers job opportunities in both government and the private sector.

One can be bothered about the short span of the career as the job of an air hostess last for a maximum 10-12 years. But professionals in this field climb up the career ladder to work at a managerial level and even train air hostess.

Also, experienced cabin crews are absorbed by the travel & Tourism, hotel and mass media industry.

 

 

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