Ever wondered what a day in the life of a cabin crew member looks like in the aviation industry?
Here, we cover everything you need to know, from preparation to winding up, including a detailed overview of their roles and responsibilities.
Note: Here, we walk through the daily routine of an Emirates airline cabin crew member.
However, get to know about the Emirates cabin crew fee process here.
Let’s dive into a 24-hour routine of their day…
We live in a world of colorful entertainment through theaters, movies, dramas, and many more.
However, The life of a cabin crew member seems to be truly fascinating in the reels, but knowing the reality and the responsibility that comes with the job is equally mesmerizing too.
If you want to know more about a cabin crew’s responsibility, check out our Emirates duties and responsibility guide.
Important Note: Timing varies from flight to flight, and the timings explained in this article may not be the same every time. This is just to give you a general sense.
So, let’s go in step-by-step to understand their role better.
Step 1 - Prepping Up
The day of a cabin crew member can start as early as 5 AM when their alarms signal the onset of a long day.
After doing the daily hygiene chores and a healthy breakfast, it is time to get dressed and look presentable in a clean, neatly ironed uniform. The grooming processes – the hairstyle, accessorizing, etc., need to be on point.
Step 2 - Reach the workplace
Punctuality is a very important aspect of the flight attendant’s life.
He/she needs to reach their workplace or the airport on time, at least two hours before the scheduled flight or whichever time is required for them to report for smooth medical processes.
Arriving early also helps them stay updated with the airline and familiarize themselves with the aircraft.
If you’re reading this now, it means you’re interested in becoming a cabin crew member. Be sure to check out our guide on the Emirates cabin crew recruitment process. Get an idea of what the recruitment process looks like.
Step 3 - Pre Flight Briefing & Safety Checks
Upon arriving at the airport, the team gathers for a briefing. This session covers the flight details, including the destination, passenger profile, and any special requirements or safety updates.
The five most important pre-flight safety checks for cabin crew are:
- Emergency Exits
- Oxygen Masks
- Life Vests
- Fire Extinguishers
- Seat Belts
However, there are many safety checks to ensure the safety of passengers, but these are the most important.
Crew members also get assigned specific roles, ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities.
Cabin Crew Briefing Example
Download the PDF below to learn more about a cabin crew briefing example and get a better idea of what it involves.
Step 4 - Boarding
Once the technical preparations are done, it is time for you to board the aircraft as the official cabin crew member.
However, you should conduct safety checks and procedures to ensure the safety of the passengers and that the cabin is clean for them to board in without worrying about hygiene.
They also review the number of people boarding the aircraft and stay updated with any special requirements of passengers that have been mentioned earlier.
Step 5 - Get Ready & Take Off
The most important part of a day in the life of a cabin crew member is to stay prepared for the flight to take off.
Their responsibilities include checking if the passengers are following the safety protocols, and emphasizing the importance of knowing them while traveling with others. Once everyone is settled and the flight takes off, the crew transitions into service mode.
Step 6 - Offering In-Flight Services
Once the major take-off procedures are diligently followed by all the cabin crew members, they switch to making the flight’s environment hospitable and comfortable for the passengers in the airplane.
They offer food items, beverages, and comfort items like blankets, and take care of new mothers with infants and toddlers too.
Step 7 - Ensuring Mid-Flight Checks
Just like regular revisions during vacations help you crack your exams better, a flight attendant member runs multiple safety checks on the passengers and luggage decks to ensure the flight is smooth, safe, and good for all travelers.
They also cater to the urgent needs of the passengers, thus ensuring every process is done right.
Step 8 - Descent & Landing
Just like the take-off procedures are followed to ensure everything goes right while starting the flight, similarly landing checks come with a similar thought.
The passengers are checked for safety seat belts, washroom trips are prohibited, and opening food desks while landing is avoided to ensure that no passenger is hurt, even when there is weather turbulence.
Step 9 - Preparing for Next Flight
Once all the passengers have safely departed from the flight, a quick run is conducted by the cabin crew to ensure that all the major belongings and luggage bags have been taken care of.
It is also ensured that all the expensive and inexpensive belongings are taken by the respective owners and if there are any remnants, they are submitted to the lost and found department at the airport to prepare the airline for the next flight.
Life of a Cabin Crew - Merits and Demerits
Merits
Demerits
- Opportunity to travel and experience new countries and cultures.
- Meet new people and build social networks
- Flexible schedules
- Improve social skills and communication
- Long hours work day, cabin crew often work shifts that last anywhere from 8 to 16 hours.
- Irregular hours have a potential impact on work-life balance.
- Cabin Crew’s daily intense work routine often leads to high stress.
FAQs
Do cabin crew members get breaks during a flight?
Yes, cabin crew rotate for breaks, typically every 2-3 hours, to ensure they remain alert and refreshed throughout the flight.
How much rest time do cabin crew members get between flights?
Rest periods vary, but typically crew members are given at least 12-14 hours of rest between flights to recover.
How many hours do cabin crew work a day?
The cabin crew works 5 to 6 days a week and approximately 8 to 16 hours per day on average. Mostly it depends on the flight duration.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a cabin crew member is not all fun and games, but a powerful mix of heavy duties and responsibilities that make every passenger safe to fly without having to worry about every little concern that may come up during the flight.
As they say, ‘every penny counts’, if every cabin crew member performs their duties with outstanding excellence.
It counts as a successful day for the pilot, the passengers, and the airline as well. Fly safe, fly high!
If you are looking to start your journey as a cabin crew member, be sure to check out our cabin crew page for A – Z knowledge about cabin crew.
Also, If you have any doubts, please feel free to let us know in the comments. We are always here to help you.
See you in the next one…
