British Airways Cabin Crew Requirements

British Airways Cabin Crew Requirements

This page explains what British Airways asked for in one of its Heathrow cabin crew vacancies, so you can see how a major UK airline sets its requirements. British Airways states requirements for each vacancy, and they can change, so always read the current advert before you apply.

Source and date: the official British Airways Cabin Crew (Heathrow) vacancy, reference 11439, with a closing date of 19 January 2026. It was read on 27 October 2026. Because that vacancy has closed, use it as an example and check British Airways’ careers site for the current requirements.

Experience and eligibility

The vacancy stated that you needed to:

  • Be 18 years old or over at the time of application
  • Have at least 12 months’ customer service experience
  • Be fluent in spoken and written English
  • Hold a valid passport with at least 12 months before expiry and unrestricted global travel rights
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship
  • Be eligible to apply for and obtain a US visa
  • Pass criminal record checks for countries of residence in the last five years
  • Be willing to work 24/7 shift patterns, including weekends, holidays and standby duties near Heathrow
  • Be able to wear the British Airways uniform with no visible tattoos or body piercings (tattoos must be fully covered without plasters or bandages)
  • Successfully complete initial safety and service training to obtain a UK CAA Cabin Crew Attestation

Medical and physical requirements

British Airways stated that you must be able to meet aviation safety standards, including:

  • A maximum height of 6ft 5in (195.5 cm) and a minimum functional reach of 2.01 m
  • The ability to swim 50 metres and tread water for 3 minutes
  • Confidence working at height, including descending a 9-metre escape slide
  • The ability to lift and move equipment in confined spaces
  • Passing a British Airways medical assessment

The vacancy describes these as part of the safety-critical nature of the role.

The qualities British Airways listed

The vacancy’s success profile named these qualities: resilient, open-minded, organised, a good communicator, positive and collaborative. It also asked for passion for customer service, strong decision-making, time management and a team spirit.

What the process looked like

The vacancy said that successful applicants would be invited to final assessment centres at the Waterside head office near Heathrow from 22 January, and that the vacancy might close early once enough applications had been received. It advised applying as early as possible.

How to prepare

Related guides

See our general guide to cabin crew requirements, the easyJet process and how to become cabin crew.

Skyway by JJ is independent and is not affiliated with British Airways. Requirements are set by the airline and change between vacancies. This page is general guidance and cannot guarantee a job offer.