There is no maximum age to become a flight attendant. If you’re in your 40’s or 50’s and want to be a flight attendant, go ahead and apply! As long as you meet the other requirements, your age won’t be a problem.

Airlines usually require air cabin crew to be between five feet two inches and six feet two inches tall, with weight restrictions varying. You will need to be able to swim well and have a good level of physical fitness. You will need to be over the age of 18 to become a member of air cabin crew.

The height requirements for flight attendants differs slightly across airlines, but the average is a minimum of 159cm (5 feet 2 inches) without shoes. Some airlines do an arm-reach test in which an average reach of 212 cm (6 feet 9 inches) is required.

The acceptable height ranges from 4’11 to 6’1 and the weight of the flight attendant must be proportionate to the height. Depending on the airline, the minimum age to be considered is between 18-21 years old. Other requirements include at least a high school diploma or GED and holding a clean record with no priors.

Airlines generally require flight attendants to have a “groomed look that meets conventional standard”, as BA describes. “For women, you will need to have a styled look with hair and makeup that would be appropriate in a professional environment and complements our uniform.

Female flight attendants are known for their flawless make-up, even after several hours on their feet during long-haul flights when everyone else looks at their worst. She revealed that the reason cabin crew members wear bright lipstick on flights is, “so passengers can read your lips during an emergency.”

Makeup is part of a flight attendant’s uniform, and that means they need to keep from going too extreme—or not extreme enough. Emirates is all about high-maintenance beauty and requires female flight attendants to wear red lipstick and lip liner during every shift.

They’re doing more than welcoming you aboard — they’re also sizing you up. A flight attendant has revealed what crew members are really doing when they greet passengers on the way to their seats: Determining who is most fit to help out in case of an emergency.

Flight attendants are also looking for anyone who might need extra help, such as infants, the elderly, or someone with an injury. They’re also aware of passengers who don’t have obvious needs but still ask for accommodations.

Usually, the Captain will make a small briefing before take-off, sometimes indicating the priority for take-off (e.g. “We are third in priority for take-off, we should depart in about five minutes”). But there is always an announcement like: “Flight attendants, prepare for take-off please.”

The word “heavy” means a larger aircraft type, with a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 160 tonnes or more. These aircraft create wake turbulence from their wings and require extra separation between following aircraft, and the use of “heavy” reminds other pilots of that fact.

Before the plane takes off, the attendants must: Greet passengers and direct them to their seats. Help passengers stow their carry-on luggage. Make sure passengers near the emergency exits are prepared to help out in an emergency.