What is a Flugbegleiter/in (flight attendant / cabin crew)?

A Flugbegleiter/in (flight attendant) is responsible for the care, comfort and safety of passengers during a flight.
They explain safety procedures, serve food and drinks, handle emergencies and make sure that passengers feel as safe and comfortable as possible throughout the journey.

How do you become a flight attendant?

Basic requirements

Most airlines expect:

• A good school-leaving certificate (usually equivalent to Realschule or Abitur / high school diploma)

• Fluent German and English, additional languages are a major advantage

• Suitable height and good physical health, according to the airline’s standards

• Ability to swim confidently

• A well-groomed appearance and professional manners

• Strong communication skills and a friendly approach

• High flexibility, including:

  • Night shifts

  • Weekends and public holidays

  • Several working days in a row, sometimes with layovers abroad

Company training

• An internal training course (Schulung) provided by the airline

• Duration usually between 6 weeks and 6 months, depending on the company

• Training includes:

  • Theory sessions:

    • Safety procedures and emergency protocols

    • First aid and basic medical knowledge on board

    • Passenger service and communication

  • Practical training:

    • Exercises on real aircraft or in cabin simulators

    • Evacuation drills, use of slides and safety equipment

    • Service training and simulation of difficult situations

What are the daily tasks?

Safety procedures

• Performing the safety demonstration before take-off

• Checking emergency equipment, such as life vests, oxygen masks, fire extinguishers

• Ensuring that all safety regulations are followed:

  • Seatbelts fastened

  • Hand luggage stowed correctly

  • Emergency exits kept clear

• Assisting passengers in emergencies, e.g. medical incidents or emergency evacuations

Passenger service

• Welcoming passengers on board and helping them find their seats

• Serving meals and drinks according to the airline’s service concept

• Selling products on board, such as snacks, drinks or duty-free items (depending on the airline)

• Supporting passengers with special needs, such as:

  • Passengers with reduced mobility

  • Elderly passengers

  • Unaccompanied minors

Handling difficult situations

• Resolving conflicts between passengers

• Dealing with sudden health problems on board

• Calming and supporting passengers in situations like:

  • Delays and long waiting times

  • Strong turbulence

  • Cancellations or diversions

Administrative tasks

• Filling out reports and forms after the flight (e.g. incidents, irregularities)

• Stocktaking and financial reporting of:

  • On-board sales

  • Catering items and consumables

• Documenting seat changes, special services or unusual events

Where do flight attendants work?

• National and international airlines, for example:

  • Lufthansa

  • Eurowings

  • Condor

• Low-cost carriers

• Private and business aviation, for example:

  • Business jets

  • Corporate flights

Which skills are important?

• Excellent communication skills and respectful interaction with passengers from many different cultures

• Flexibility and patience in demanding or unpredictable situations

• Strong team spirit, working closely with fellow cabin crew and cockpit crew

• Physical and mental resilience, including:

  • Long working hours and irregular schedules

  • Jet lag and changing time zones

  • Working in confined spaces while standing and walking a lot

• A strong service mindset, friendliness and positive attitude

Career development opportunities

• Promotion to Purser/in (senior cabin crew / cabin manager) with responsibility for:

  • Overall cabin organisation

  • Leading and coordinating the crew

  • Acting as the main communication link between cabin, cockpit and ground staff

• Moving into training or safety management within the airline:

  • Training new flight attendants

  • Working in safety, quality or service development departments

• Career options in marketing, customer service or operations

• Becoming involved in recruitment and training of new cabin crew

• Further development within the tourism and hospitality industry, e.g. hotels, cruise lines, tour operators

Difference between Flugbegleiter/in and Bodensteward/ess (ground staff)

Flugbegleiter/in (flight attendant)

• Focus: Passenger safety and service during the flight

• Tasks:

  • Safety briefings and checks

  • Serving food and drinks, on-board sales

  • Assisting in emergencies and special situations

• Workplace:

  • Inside the aircraft cabin, on short-, medium- and long-haul flights

Bodensteward/ess (ground steward / airport ground staff)

• Focus: Passenger service at the airport

• Tasks:

  • Check-in and baggage drop-off

  • Issuing boarding passes, checking travel documents

  • Service at the gate (boarding, information in case of delays, rebooking)

• Workplace:

  • Airport terminals and gates, before departure and after arrival

Conclusion

The profession of Flugbegleiter/in (flight attendant) gives you the chance to travel the world, experience different cultures and support people in a dynamic and ever-changing environment.

• It offers international employment opportunities and attractive career prospects within airlines.

• It allows you to combine work, adventure and new experiences on a daily basis.

• The job brings together service, safety and teamwork in a constantly changing atmosphere.

The editorial team of this website strives, through thorough research and comparison of several sources, to provide reliable and up-to-date information. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information cannot be completely ruled out.
Therefore, please regard the information contained in this article as an initial, non-binding orientation and always contact the relevant authorities or qualified professionals for binding and individual advice.