Cabin Crew Physical Requirements: Do You Have What It Takes?

Many students dream of becoming cabin crew and traveling the world. It looks exciting, but before you wear the uniform & step inside an aircraft, you need to meet some physical requirements. Airlines set these standards to make sure cabin crew members can perform their duties safely & confidently. Let’s break it down in a simple way so you can understand if you have what it takes.

Height and Reach

Height is one of the most important requirements. On most airlines:

• For females: Minimum height is around 155 cm.

• For males: Minimum height is around 170 cm.

Why does height matter? Because cabin crew must reach the overhead bins to help passengers with luggage and also to access safety equipment. Some airlines also check your arm reach (usually around 210 cm with feet flat).

Weight Proportion

Your weight should be in proportion to your height. Airlines don’t focus on being “too slim,” but they want you to look healthy and fit. A balanced Body Mass Index (BMI) is preferred.

Eyesight and Vision

Cabin crew need to see clearly to ensure passenger safety.

• Normal vision is expected (with or without glasses/contact lenses).

• Some airlines may not allow very high numbers of eyesight correction.

Health and Fitness

Since the job is physically demanding, airlines require you to be medically fit. Common checks include:

• No major heart or lung problems

• No serious injuries that limit movement

• Ability to swim (important for water emergency training)

• Good stamina to handle long working hours

Grooming and Appearance

Cabin crew represent the airline brand, so appearance is also considered part of physical requirements. Airlines usually look for:

• Clear skin (no visible scars or tattoos on exposed areas)

• Neat teeth and smile

• Professional grooming standards (hair, nails, uniform presentation)

Age Requirement

Though not directly physical, age is linked with fitness and energy. Most airlines accept students from 18 to 27 years (some allow up to 32 years).

Communication and Personality

Even though this is not a “physical” requirement, your confidence, smile & body language play a huge role. Airlines want friendly, approachable & well-mannered crew members.

Becoming cabin crew is not just about looks—it’s about being healthy, fit & professional. If you meet the physical requirements like height, weight, fitness, grooming & clear vision, you already qualify for the first step.