Airhostess Roles and Responsibilities (2025) — Complete Cabin Crew Duties, Skills, Training & Salary Guide

The cabin crew — commonly called airhostess or flight attendant — are certified aviation professionals responsible for passenger safety, in-flight service, emergency preparedness and the airline’s passenger experience. Modern airhostesses balance strict safety procedures with high hospitality standards and must be ready to act decisively in emergencies, medical situations and operational disruptions.

Looking to train? Start with a practical program like our Air Hostess Course in Mumbai or browse short certificates at Aviation Certificates & Courses.

Who regulates cabin crew standards?

Cabin crew training and standards are governed by:

• DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) — India
• ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)
• IATA recommended practices
• Airline-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

1. Quick summary: core duty buckets

An airhostess has responsibilities that fall into four main buckets:

• Pre-flight preparedness — briefings, checks and coordination with ground teams.
• In-flight safety — monitoring, enforcement and readiness for emergencies.
• Passenger service — meals, comfort, special assistance and hospitality.
• Post-flight duties — debrief, reports and resetting the cabin for the next flight.

2. Pre-flight responsibilities

Pre-flight duties ensure the cabin is safe and ready before passengers board:

A. Mandatory crew briefing

All crew attend a briefing covering:

• Flight plan, duration and weather/turbulence forecasts
• Security alerts and special passenger information (UMNR, medical cases, VIPs)
• Assigned emergency roles, seating plans and service sequences

B. Safety equipment & cabin checks

Airhostesses inspect and confirm the functionality of:

• Life vests and rafts (for overwater routes)
• Emergency oxygen bottles and masks
• Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
• First aid kits and AEDs where required
• Catering counts, galley readiness and cabin sanitisation

If you want practical, hands-on safety training, check our academy programs at Atenas Aviation Academy — Hyderabad.

C. Coordination with ground handling

Liaise with ramp, catering and security teams for baggage loading, fueling status, boarding windows and any security updates.

3. In-flight responsibilities — safety first

Once airborne, safety takes precedence over service. Key in-flight duties include:

A. Safety demonstrations & compliance

Conduct clear safety briefings and ensure compliance with seatbelt and electronic device policies. New recruits should practice demonstrations during training — our short practical modules help with confidence; see certificate options.

B. Continuous cabin monitoring

Keep aisles and exits clear, observe passenger behaviour, detect suspicious or unwell passengers and respond quickly to issues.

C. Medical assistance

Airhostesses act as first responders: provide basic first aid, CPR, use AEDs, administer oxygen and coordinate diversions if required. If you need a focused first-aid module, we offer an add-on in our cabin crew diploma — view details at Air Hostess Course — Mumbai.

D. Customer service and hospitality

Service tasks (meals, beverages, amenity requests) are performed with the constant caveat of safety — during turbulence or emergencies, service is immediately suspended.

4. Emergency responsibilities — lifesaving procedures

Airhostesses receive regular simulator training for critical scenarios:

A. Firefighting & smoke control

Identify source, contain smoke, apply appropriate extinguishers and execute smoke removal protocols.

B. Rapid decompression

Deploy oxygen masks, secure passengers and follow cockpit coordination for descent if required.

C. Evacuation leadership

Direct evacuation, open and operate emergency exits, deploy slides, and ensure passengers exit without carry-on luggage — ICAO requires evacuation checks to be possible within 90 seconds in simulator tests.

D. Water ditching & survival

For oceanic routes, crew must be ready to deploy life rafts, manage group survival and keep passengers calm until rescue. Practical water-raft drills are part of advanced diplomas — see our long-term program at Atenas Hyderabad.

5. Post-flight responsibilities

• Supervise safe disembarkation and assist special-needs passengers.
• Inspect the cabin for lost items, damage or medical incidents.
• Complete incident logs and mandatory reports (fuel shortages, medical events, security incidents).
• Reset cabin equipment and confirm readiness for the next flight segment.

6. Skills required to perform airhostess responsibilities

Tip: Recruiters often shortlist candidates who show both safety competence and empathetic service behavior. Consider combined training — cabin crew + customer service certificates available at Aviation Certificates.

7. Training pathways & recommended courses

Airhostess training involves theoretical and practical modules. Typical pathways:

• Short courses (4–12 weeks): Basic cabin crew, first aid, service etiquette, grooming and interview preparation.
• Diploma programs (6–12 months): Comprehensive cabin crew courses covering safety, emergency procedures, aviation law and internships.
• Cross-skilling: Combine cabin crew training with GDS or ticketing certificates to broaden employability.

Popular course suggestions: Air Hostess Course — Mumbai, full diplomas: Aviation Academy — Hyderabad, and short skill packs at Aviation Certificate & Courses.

8. Salary insights (Domestic & International)

Domestic Indian Airlines: Freshers typically start between ₹28,000 – ₹45,000/month including basic pay and flying allowances. Senior cabin crew and purser roles command higher pay and allowances.

International / Middle East Carriers: Packages vary widely. Many Gulf and larger international carriers offer tax-free components, higher base pay and generous layover benefits; salaries often range from ₹70,000 – ₹1,40,000+ depending on role, experience and airline.

If you're focused on placements and real interview practice, our long-term diploma offers placement assistance — check details at Atenas Academy — Hyderabad.

9. Airhostess vs Ground Staff — Key differences

While both roles are customer-focused, they differ in operational environment and responsibilities:

• Environment: Ground staff operate in terminals; airhostesses operate onboard aircraft.
• Primary duties: Ground staff manage check-in, boarding and baggage; cabin crew manage in-flight safety and service.
• Training: Both require customer service skills; cabin crew require intensive emergency and in-flight training.

10. Top recruiters & employers (2025)

Major airlines and employers hiring cabin crew in 2025:

• IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation)
• Air India
• Vistara
• Akasa Air
• SpiceJet
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad (for international aspirants)

Pro tip: follow these recruiters on LinkedIn and set job alerts; combine academy placements (courses above) with active applications to improve odds.

11. Common cabin crew interview questions + model answers

Practice these — interviewers look for calmness, structure and customer-focus:

Q: "Tell me about yourself."
A: "I completed my 12th and pursued a cabin crew diploma where I learned safety protocols, first aid, and service etiquette. I enjoy interacting with diverse people and remain calm under pressure. I want to start as cabin crew to build operational experience and grow with a reputed airline."

Q: "How would you handle an irate passenger during a long delay?"
A: "Listen actively, empathise, explain the situation clearly, offer immediate practical help (refreshments, updates), and escalate to the duty officer if policy allows compensation or rebooking. Maintain calm and professional tone."

Q: "Describe a time you handled a difficult customer."

A: Use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result — describe specifics, your action and the positive outcome. For mock practice, consider our interview workshop included in the Air Hostess Course — Mumbai.

12. Day in the life — sample shift

A typical day includes early reporting, pre-flight briefing, multiple flight segments for short-haul crew or longer continuous duty for long-haul crew. Tasks flow from check-in & boarding support to continuous cabin monitoring, service rounds, incident handling, and end-of-shift documentation.

13. A 60-day action plan to become cabin crew

1. Days 1–7: Finalise CV, get a formal passport-size photo, create LinkedIn, set job alerts on airline pages and shortlist courses at Aviation Certificates.
2. Days 8–21: Enrol in a reputed cabin crew diploma or short course; start grooming & communication practice (consider Air Hostess Course — Mumbai).
3. Days 22–35: Attend mock interviews, prepare documents, apply to airline and academy placements.
4. Days 36–50: Participate in walk-in interviews, follow up with recruiters, continue hands-on training with an academy like Atenas Hyderabad.
5. Days 51–60: Finalise offers, complete medical checks and background verification for onboarding.

14. FAQs