What are the working hours of cabin crew?

Many students dream of becoming cabin crew because the job looks exciting & glamorous. But one common question students often ask is: “What are the working hours of cabin crew?” Unlike regular office jobs where people work fixed 9 to 5 shifts cabin crew have very different schedules.

No Fixed 9 to 5 Job

Cabin crew members don’t have fixed office timings. Their working hours depend on the airline schedule & flight routes. Sometimes they may work early in the morning & other times late at night. Since flights operate 24/7, cabin crew must also be available at odd hours.

Average Duty Hours

On average, cabin crew members work around 8 to 12 hours a day. But this can vary depending on:

• Domestic flights: Short flights within the country usually mean shorter duty hours. Crew may work on multiple flights in a day.

• International flights: Long-haul flights can last 10 to 14 hours, sometimes even more, but usually just one flight per shift.

Monthly Flying Hours

Most airlines have a limit on how many hours a cabin crew member can fly in a month to avoid stress & fatigue. This is usually 70 to 100 flying hours per month, but it can change depending on airline rules & government regulations.

Rest Periods

Because the job can be tiring, airlines ensure crew members get enough rest.

• After long international flights, crew get layovers (rest days in the destination city) before returning.

• Crew also get mandatory rest hours between two flights to recover properly.

Shift System

Cabin crew work in shifts, which can include:

• Early morning flights (reporting at 3 to 4 AM)
• Afternoon or evening flights
• Overnight or “red-eye” flights

Since schedules change every week, cabin crew must be flexible & ready to adjust.

Weekly & Monthly Offs

Cabin crew members usually get 8 to 10 days off in a month. These offs are not always on weekends like regular jobs, but they are planned based on the flight roster.

Work Life Balance

Even though the hours are irregular, cabin crew enjoy unique benefits:

• Opportunities to travel to different cities or countries
• Layovers that allow time to explore new places
• More days off in some months compared to regular office workers

With proper time management, most cabin crew balance their personal & professional lives well.

The working hours of cabin crew are not fixed like a normal job. They usually work 8 to 12 hours a day with monthly limits of 70 to 100 flying hours. Schedules depend on whether the flight is domestic or international & crew often work at night, early mornings or weekends. But airlines also give enough rest periods or offs to maintain health & safety.

For students dreaming of this career, remember: flexibility is the key. If you are comfortable working at different times of the day & love traveling, then the working hours of cabin crew will feel more like an adventure than a challenge.