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Cabin Crew Members, Cabin Managers, Pursers
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Before takeoff, flight attendants:
After takeoff, flight attendants help passengers enjoy the flight. What they do depends on factors like:
Based on these factors, flight attendants may:
After landing, flight attendants help passengers leave the plane safely. They tidy the cabin and check for things left behind.
The lead flight attendant is sometimes called the purser. The purser usually submits the flight paperwork.
Flight attendants may spend up to half of their working hours:
Flight attendants work in a confined space. It can be noisy and physically demanding. Flight attendants spend most of a flight on their feet. They move heavy galley equipment. They may encounter dangerous situations. Working with a cold may hurt their ears.
Work hours are irregular. Shifts can be long. Some workdays last up to 14 hours. Flight attendants may be away from home for several days. They may have short layover times at home and then go back to work. Recurrent jet lag (from going through many time zones repeatedly) can affect some workers’ health.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Flight attendants
2023 OaSIS: 64311.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Flight attendants need:
They should enjoy having clear guidelines for their work and handling equipment. They should like helping people.
Hiring requirements vary from one airline to another, but certain basics are common. In general, to work for an airline in Canada, flight attendants must:
Some airlines in Canada require bilingualism in English and French. Others might consider fluency in many other languages as well as English to be an asset. This depends on the route. If passengers on a route tend to speak a certain language, flight attendants should too.
Airlines provide 2 to 8 weeks of training. Training covers a wide range of subjects, including safety and emergency procedures. Flight attendants receive training to fight fires, apply first aid, and other skills, which they update every year. After training, the airline assigns those who have completed the training successfully to one of its bases.
Private vocational schools may offer pre-employment, in-flight training programs. Before enrolling, it is a good idea to discuss training options with potential employers.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Upon hiring, flight attendants take their training. Some airlines assign a monthly schedule. New flight attendants often work in casual positions. Some must work reserve duty—they are on call 24 hours a day except free days. They may have 10 or more free days each month.
As flight attendants gain seniority, they receive a schedule for a month in advance. Seniority determines:
Flight attendants may advance to a supervisory position, such as purser. Or they move up to:
Competition for senior positions is strong.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Pursers and flight attendants
2016 NOC: 6522
95.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Flight attendant trainees receive a training salary. The airline may repay them for hotel and meal expenses while away.
Wages increase with experience. Overseas flights pay more than domestic flights. Large carriers pay more than regional or charter carriers. Some attendants take other part-time jobs to add to their incomes.
Most airlines repay hotel and meal expenses during stops away from home, but not all pay for non-flying time. Some pay a per diem on top of salary for the overall costs of overnight stays. Flight attendants usually get discounts on personal travel with the airline they work for.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
