Top 10 Flight Attendant Schools: Apply Today
For those who enjoy experiencing different cultures, meeting diverse people, and making air travel comfortable for passengers, flight attending is an ideal profession. As a flight attendant, you’ll have the opportunity to travel around the world, interact with people from various backgrounds, and offer outstanding service to ensure their journey is pleasant and stress-free.
If turning your passion for travel and cultural exploration into a career excites you, becoming a flight attendant may be a perfect choice. Although some people view it as a simpler career path compared to scientific, humanities, or hospitality-related professions, only a few truly understand the level of training and expertise required to excel as a cabin crew member.
Best Flight Attendant Schools
Here, we give you the top ten best flight attendant schools in the USA based on our research:
1. Glendale Community College
GCC offers training for aspiring flight attendants, which involves practical experience through internships at airports and volunteer work. Throughout the program, students will develop various skills relevant to the flight attendant job.
Address: 1500 North Verdugo Road Glendale, California 9120
Contact Number: 818-240-1000
Website: https://www.glendale.edu/
2. Orange Coast College
(https://orangecoastcollege.edu/)
A certificate course is available on the west coast in California, specifically for those interested in becoming flight attendants. The OCC course focuses on providing customer service training. Moreover, students will be allowed to undergo training in international airports, specifically with a strong emphasis on John Wayne Airport.
Address: 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Contact Number: (714) 432-5772
Website: https://orangecoastcollege.edu/
3. Cypress College
This college is highly regarded in the United States and offers a variety of aviation and flight attendant courses. These courses have been available since 1976, and graduates have gone on to work for top airlines throughout America. While there are no strict prerequisites, there are certain requirements that candidates must meet, such as being no taller than 5 feet 9 inches. Those 5 feet 10 inches may still be eligible to apply for employment. The program’s duration ranges from six months to two years, depending on the level of education that you have previously completed.
To meet the basic requirements, prospective candidates must be:
- At least 19 years of age
- Possess a height between 5 and 6 feet
- Have good eyesight
- Not have any visible tattoos or piercings
- Have graduated from high school or earned a GED
- Have U.S. citizenship and a valid passport
- Must refrain from using drugs or alcohol
Address: 9200 Valley View Street Cypress, CA 90630
Contact Number: (714) 484-7000
Website: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/
4. Jet Blue
JetBlue is a highly regarded airline known for providing some of the most competitive pay rates in the aviation industry. If a candidate successfully passes the hiring process, JetBlue will send them to either Boston, New York, or Massachusetts for training. This flight attendant program is only available through JetBlue and boasts several notable features, such as high pay, flexible scheduling, and travel benefits. This program does not require payment and is instead funded through a stipend provided during the training.
Address: Florida, USA
Contact Number: Reachable through social media accounts below
Website: https://www.jetblue.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JetBlue
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jetblue
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jetblue/
5. The Travel Academy
The Travel Academy is situated in Minnesota and provides online and in-person training programs in four flight attendant courses, allowing students to choose the program that best meets their needs. To be eligible to enroll in any of these programs, students must meet the following criteria:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Be fluent in English
- Be fully vaccinated and at least 21 years of age
- Hold U.S. citizenship
Address: 1230 Eagan Industrial Rd. Suite 115 Eagan, MN 55121
Contact Number: 952-854-7161
Website: https://thetravelacademy.com/
6. The Airline Academy
This is one of the top airline training centers in the United States, located in Florida, that offers attractive employee benefits. One of its standout features is the provision of health insurance and a substantial stipend.
The program is divided into two phases. The first phase is conducted online and focuses on theoretical training required to become a flight attendant. The second phase is a week-long, hands-on training program that takes place at JetBlue University.
Address: 400 S. Atlantic Avenue Suite 111 Ormond Beach, FL 32176
Contact Number:
Toll Free: 800-798-0202
Local: 386-252-3054
Fax: 386-254-7882
Website: https://www.theairlineacademy.com/
7. Atlantic Flight Attendant Academy
The Atlantic Flight Attendant Academy is recognized for offering a highly regarded flight attendant program that lasts approximately six weeks. This program is designed to impart the necessary training and skills to become a top-notch flight attendant in the United States. The classes are held on weekdays from 9am to 3pm.
Address: 6148 Quinpool Road, Halifax, NS, B3L 1A3
Contact Number: 902-422-0339 | Toll Free: 1-877-329-2699
Website: https://flightattend.com/
8. International Air and Hospitality Academy
Their program has operated for 40 years and provides flight attendant courses for domestic and international students. One notable aspect of this program is that upon completion, students can pursue a career in various industries, such as hotels, tourism, cruise lines, and airlines. The class sizes are small, and financial aid is available to eligible students. The program lasts 20 weeks, and the institute also offers assistance with job placement.
MAIN CAMPUS
Address: 2901 E Mill Plain Blvd Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact Number: (877) 736-6005
STUDENT HOUSING
Address: Village 57 Apartments 2909 NE 57th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact Number: (360) 992-4322
Website: https://aha.edu/
9. Community College of Baltimore County
This organization is located in Baltimore and offers a 2-year certification program for becoming a flight attendant, which requires one credit. To apply for this program, students must satisfy the minimum qualifications specified by the university, which include being at least 4 feet and 11 inches tall, being in good physical condition, having good eyesight, and not having any visible tattoos or facial piercings.
CCBC Main Campuses
Address:
CCBC Catonsville
800 South Rolling RoadBaltimore, MD 21228
CCBC Dundalk
7200 Sollers Point Road Baltimore, MD 21222
CCBC Essex
7201 Rossville Blvd.Baltimore, MD 21237
Contact Number: 443.840.CCBC
Extension Centers:
CCBC Hunt Valley
11101 McCormick Road Baltimore, MD 21031
Contact Number: 443.840.5830
CCBC Owings Mills
10300 Grand Central Ave.Baltimore, MD 21117
Contact Number: 443.840.5898
CCBC Randallstown
Liberty Center 3637 Offutt Road Randallstown, MD 21133
Contact Number: 443.840.2770
Website: https://www.ccbcmd.edu/
10. Moraine Valley Community College
The program is based in Palos Hills and offers a 2-year certificate course for aspiring flight attendants. The program fees are $9636 for in-state residents and $11,190 for out-of-state residents. To be eligible for the program, students must have completed high school with a minimum GPA of 3.2.
Address: 9000 W. College Pkwy. Palos Hills, IL 60465-2478
Contact Number: (708) 974-4300 TTY 711
Website: https://www.morainevalley.edu/
Why Become A Flight Attendant?
- To fulfill your dream of working in aviation by becoming a flight attendant.
- To travel to different parts of the world while getting paid.
- To meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and learn from their experiences.
- To enjoy opportunities for career advancement within the field of aviation.
- To benefit from flexible working hours and the ability to choose when and how frequently you fly.
- To learn first aid skills that may prove useful in emergencies.
- To stay in luxurious hotels on occasion as part of your job.
- To enjoy a relatively easy job that requires politeness and a positive attitude toward passengers.
- To wear stylish and attractive uniforms provided by some airlines.
- To create friendships with people from around the world and establish enduring connections.
College Courses You Can Take To Become A Flight Attendant
Some airlines only require a high school diploma and a four-year degree from flight attendant applicants. Others prefer higher education, especially in hospitality, communication, foreign language, and subjects excelling in the field. To help aspiring flight attendants stand out from other candidates, we’ve compiled a list of college courses that can give them a stronger foundation in these critical areas.
If you aspire to be a flight attendant, here are college courses to help you achieve your goal:
- BS Travel or Tourism Management
The BS Travel or Tourism Management course is recommended for those aspiring to become airline flight attendants. This four-year program covers various aspects of tourism, including history, management, services, research, marketing, promotions, airport operations, and more, depending on the chosen major.
- AB Communication
Pursuing an AB in Communication or Speech Communication degree can make you a strong candidate when applying for flight attendant jobs. This degree provides a strong foundation for understanding communication, including interpersonal relationships, and overcoming cultural and language barriers. Although the course primarily focuses on mass media operations, it teaches individuals to communicate effectively in various situations, conflicts, and concerns. Therefore, having a degree that enhances your communication abilities can significantly improve your competency as a flight attendant.
- AB Linguistics
Fluency in English and other foreign languages is an asset for aspiring flight attendants as they interact with passengers from different countries. Pursuing an AB in Linguistics can benefit this career path since it teaches the principles of language and how it can be applied in translation work. Many language courses offer the opportunity to specialize in specific languages while studying.
- BS Hospitality Management
The flight attendant role requires strong customer service skills and effective handling of human relations. Pursuing a BS in Hospitality Management teaches students critical service provision and fosters a passion for various industries, including airlines. Although the course mainly focuses on entrepreneurship and industry management, it emphasizes the importance of developing strategies to handle human relations in the service industry.
Taking certain courses such as travel and tourism, foreign languages, and communication and hospitality classes can make you a more attractive candidate for airlines. These classes aim to improve your customer service and communication skills, which are valuable in the airline industry. Communicating with passengers in their native language can enhance their travel experience, and knowing travel and tourism can enable you to offer helpful tips to passengers.
Flight Attendant Academic Requirements
While a high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement for becoming a flight attendant, attending college is not mandatory. However, it is recommended that aspiring flight attendants take courses in high school that can benefit their career, such as foreign languages, communication skills, and social studies. Although a college degree is not a prerequisite, most airlines prefer hiring candidates with some college experience, even if they did not graduate. Therefore, attending college can give you a competitive advantage in the industry.
Prerequisites For Flight Attendant Training
To work as a flight attendant, you must undergo specific training that equips you to handle various situations that might arise during a flight. This training can be sought before you start working or provided by the airline that hires you. During the training session, which typically lasts from three to eight weeks, you will learn important skills such as customer service tailored to the airline industry, food safety, first aid, emergency procedures, basic aviation knowledge, and more. Once you have completed the training program, you may apply for a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Additional Requirements and Conditions
Apart from the necessary training, becoming a flight attendant also requires meeting other requirements and considerations. You will need to undergo a medical examination to ensure you are physically fit enough to carry out the demanding tasks such as standing, kneeling, crouching, and reaching overhead compartments. The airline will also perform a 10-year background check and a drug screening. Additionally, you will be expected to demonstrate your customer service skills. You must also meet certain physical specifications, including minimum and maximum height requirements, wearing corrective eyewear if needed, and maintaining a proper height-to-weight ratio.
Final Words
One of the most lucrative professions globally is working as a flight attendant. In this job, you’ll welcome passengers and assist with their flight, including providing safety instructions on properly using the plane’s safety equipment. To become a flight attendant, you must obtain an FAA certificate from a flight attendant training institute.
Many excellent flight attendant training schools in the United States offer internships with top airlines, including health insurance benefits. These schools vary in course offerings, program length, and tuition. Their location is also an important factor to consider in addition to these public universities that offer degree programs in flight attendant training.