How to Become a Flight Attendant in South Africa: Courses, Colleges, Salary, and Airlines Hiring.
Introduction
For a number of people who love travelling, learning new cultures, and exploring different cities, a flight attendant job could be a dream job for them. The aviation industry in South Africa is a lucrative industry with great opportunities like career growth, international exposure, and competitive salary.
We will discuss how to become a flight attendant in South Africa, the courses you need to take, the colleges offering flight attendant courses, how much you can earn, and the airlines hiring in South Africa.
What Does a Flight Attendant Do?
Flight attendant responsibilities include:
- Ensuring passenger safety
- Performing safety checks before the flight leaves
- Serve passengers meals and beverages throughout the flight
- Attend to passenger emergencies
- Excellent customer service
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Flight Attendant in South Africa?
A flight attendant must be physically fit, have great interpersonal skills, and be able to remain calm under any circumstances. They also need the following:
- A minimum requirement of Matric certificate with good grades in English and Mathematics
- Have a certificate in a Cabin Crew Training Course accredited by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
- Pass SCAA exams to get a Cabin Crew license, which is the main requirement to work as a flight attendant in South Africa
A Flight attendant in South Africa also needs:
- Be 18 years and above
- A valid passport is mandatory
- Meet the height and weight requirements that vary by airline
- Ability to swim for 50 metres or more and be physically fit
- Great English communication
- Pass the medical assessment and the background check
Top Flight Attendant Courses and Colleges in South Africa
- SAA Cabin Crew Training (Johannesburg)
- Provide a SACAA-approved program with practical training
- Course runs for: 6-8 weeks
- Course Fee: Between R20,000–R30,000
- EFT Aviation (Johannesburg and Cape Town)
- EFT Aviation offers internationally recognized courses
- Course runs for: 6 weeks
- Course Fee: Up to R25,000
- Big Sky Cabin Crew Training Academy (Pretoria)
- Provides practical skills for learners and SACAA license
- Course runs for: 6-8 weeks
- Course Fee: Between R18,000–R28,000
- Cranfield Aviation Training (Johannesburg)
- Offers a cabin crew course including first aid training, safety and emergency procedures
- Course runs For: 6 weeks
- Course Fee: Up to R24,000
- Skyy Aviation Academy (Durban)
- Offers internationally recognized SACCA-approved airline training
- Course runs for: 6 weeks
- Course Fee: Approximately R22,000
Flight Attendants Salaries in South Africa?
Salaries will vary depending on the company you work for, whether you work domestically or internationally, and your experience. A lot of airlines in South Africa offer benefits like discounted flights and layover allowances on top of their salaries.
Salary Expectation for Flight Attendants:
- Entry-Level Flight attendants: Between R8,000–R15,000 a month.
- Mid-Level (1–3 years of experience): Between R15,000–R25,000 a month.
- Experienced Flight Attendants (5+ years): R25,000–R45,000 per month.
- International Airlines: Salaries range from R30,000 to R50,000 per month, with benefits such as travel allowances, accommodation, and insurance.
Airlines Hiring Flight Attendants in South Africa
The following airlines hire licensed flight attendants in South Africa:
- South African Airways (SAA).
- FlySafair
- Comair (British Airways)
- Emirates Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Airlink
- LIFT Airline
Steps to Becoming a Flight Attendant in South Africa
- Complete a matriculation certificate with a good grade in English
- Choose from any SACAA-accredited institution to enroll in a Cabin Crew Training course
- Pass your SACAA exams and get an official Cabin Crew License
- Tailor Your CV to highlight your training, certification, license and excellent customer service skills
- Keep checking airline career portals and legit recruitment websites for job vacancies
- Practice common interview questions asked and highlight your interpersonal skills during your interview.
Why Become a Flight Attendant?
Being a flight attendant comes with many benefits, like:
- Exploring new countries and travelling around the world without paying for anything
- A good salary with remarkable perks
- Explore new cultures and network internationally
- A dynamic and exciting working environment with something new to learn with every travel
Conclusion
If you have a travelling spirit and enjoy learning new cultures and interacting with different people around the world, then you should consider a flight attendant career. Being a flight attendant in South Africa has many amazing benefits, like competitive pay, travel allowance, a dynamic working environment, and seeing the world without hurting your pocket. If you have great customer service skills and a calm demeanor, then consider completing a SACAA-accredited course, getting a cabin crew license, and starting to apply strategically on international airlines like Emirate or domestic top airlines like SAA and FlySafari.