Why Do You Want to Become Cabin Crew?’How Do You Answer And Why Recruiters Ask This Question
‘Why do you want to become cabin crew?’ is one of the most common questions you can expect during a cabin crew interview, and there is a very good reason recruiters ask it.
Before I explain what the recruiter wants to hear, let me tell you about the time I completely misunderstood this question.
I Once Gave A Very Wrong Answer
When I was still looking for my first cabin crew job, I went for an interview.
I was excited.
I wanted to become a flight attendant, but I honestly had no idea how to prepare for a cabin crew interview. I was very naive about the profession and, to be completely honest, I did not prepare at all for the interview.
Then the recruiter asked me:
‘Why do you want to become cabin crew?’
Do you know what I replied?
I said:
I am a risk taker and I am not afraid of plane crash.
Yes, that was my answer.
Looking back now, I can only laugh because I understand how badly I had misunderstood the question.
The recruiter replied:
‘Our planes are always maintained and so there will never be any plane crash.’
At that moment, I thought I had given a bold answer.
I thought I was showing the recruiter that I was courageous and not afraid of flying.
But that was not what the recruiter wanted to know.
I was talking about my fear of flying.
The recruiter was trying to understand my motivation for becoming cabin crew.
There is a big difference.
At that stage of my life, I did not understand it.
But now that I have been a flight attendant for over a decade, I understand exactly why recruiters ask this question.
And if you are preparing for your first cabin crew interview, I want you to understand it too.
Why Do Recruiters Ask “Why Do You Want to Become Cabin Crew?”
When a recruiter asks ‘Why do you want to become cabin crew?’, they are not asking the question simply because it is a standard interview question.
They are trying to understand your motivation.
They want to know whether you have actually thought about the profession.
They want to know whether you understand what cabin crew really do.
They also want to know whether your expectations are realistic.
This is important because many people are attracted to cabin crew because of what they see from the outside.
They see the uniform.
They see the beautiful destinations.
They see hotel rooms.
They see airport lounges.
They see pictures taken in different countries.
They see the glamorous side of aviation.
But the recruiter wants to know whether you understand what happens behind the glamour.
So when you are asked ‘Why do you want to become cabin crew?’, don’t just tell the recruiter what you like about travelling.
Tell them why you believe you are suitable for the profession.
First, Remember That An Airline Is A Business
This is something I want every aspiring flight attendant to understand.
An airline is a business.
Yes, there are people working there.
Yes, there are passengers.
Yes, there are aircraft.
Yes, there is customer service.
But at the end of the day, an airline has to operate as a business.
The cabin crew are part of that business.
Therefore, when you are answering “Why do you want to become cabin crew?”, you need to think beyond your personal sentiments.
Your personal feelings are not what the recruiter is hiring you for.
You may say:
“I have always dreamed of becoming a flight attendant.”
That is lovely.
But the recruiter may still be thinking:
“What does this person bring to my airline?”
That is the question you need to answer.
Your Love For Travelling Is Not Enough
Let’s talk about one of the most common answers.
“I want to become cabin crew because I love travelling.”
I understand why people say it.
I love travelling too.
There is something exciting about boarding an aircraft and knowing that you are going somewhere completely different.
But if you sit in front of a recruiter and your entire answer is:
“I want to become cabin crew because I love travelling.”
you have not given the recruiter enough information.
Think about this.
Your love for travelling is not what makes passengers buy a ticket.
A passenger does not wake up in the morning and think:
“I am going to buy a ticket on this airline because the cabin crew love travelling.”
No.
Passengers buy tickets because they need or want to travel.
They consider things such as the destination, price, schedule, safety, reliability, reputation and service.
And once they get on board, the experience they have with the airline matters.
This is where you come in.
How Cabin Crew Add Value To An Airline
As cabin crew, you are one of the people representing the airline directly to its customers.
Think about it.
A passenger can interact with the airline through its website.
They can interact with the booking system.
They can interact with airport staff.
But once they board the aircraft, they spend hours in the cabin with you and your colleagues.
That means your behaviour matters.
Your communication matters.
Your professionalism matters.
Your attitude matters.
Your ability to handle difficult situations matters.
Your ability to make passengers feel comfortable matters.
And ultimately, the passenger’s experience matters to the business.
Imagine two passengers travelling on the same airline.
They have the same aircraft.
The same route.
The same departure time.
But on one flight, the crew are welcoming, professional and attentive.
They communicate clearly.
They handle passenger requests properly.
They remain calm when problems occur.
The passenger feels respected.
On another flight, the crew are rude, dismissive and uninterested.
Which passenger do you think is more likely to remember the airline positively?
This is why I always say:
Your love for travelling is not what makes passengers come back.
It is how you make the passenger feel while they are travelling with your airline.
That is the value you bring.
So What Should You Say When Asked ‘Why Do You Want To Become Cabin Crew?’
Your answer should connect your motivation, your strengths and your understanding of the profession.
For example:
‘I want to become a cabin crew because I am passionate about creating positive customer experiences. I also enjoy working as part of a team and communicating with people from different background. It is a safety and customer service role that requires professionalism, responsibility, teamwork and the ability to remain calm under pressure. I believe my skills and personality would allow me to contribute positively to the airline and provide passengers with a safe and pleasant experience.’
Notice what this answer does.
It doesn’t completely ignore travelling.
But travelling isn’t the centre of the answer.
The focus is on what you can contribute.
What Recruiters Want To Hear In Your Answer
When recruiters ask ‘Why do you want to become cabin crew?’, there are several things they may be looking for.
1. Do You Understand The Job?
Cabin crew is not simply about serving meals.
Safety is a fundamental responsibility.
You will receive training in areas such as emergency procedures, first aid, evacuation procedures, security and aircraft specific safety procedures.
You will also provide passenger service.
Therefore, your answer should demonstrate that you understand that cabin crew is a safety and service profession.
2. Do You Understand Customer Service?
Passengers are customers.
They may be happy.
They may be nervous.
They may be tired.
They may be angry.
They may have special requests.
They may have had a bad experience before boarding the aircraft.
You need to know how to communicate with different personalities professionally.
3. Can You Work As Part Of A Team?
Cabin crew is teamwork.
You may work with people you have never met before.
You have to communicate effectively.
You have to support your colleagues.
You have to follow instructions.
You have to understand your responsibilities within the crew.
Your answer should demonstrate that you are comfortable working with others.
4. Are Your Expectations Realistic?
This is another reason “Why do you want to become cabin crew?” is such an important question.
If your answer is completely focused on:
- Travelling
- Hotels
- Free tickets
- Meeting celebrities
- Wearing the uniform
- Taking pictures in different countries
the recruiter may question whether you understand the realities of the job.
There are early morning reports.
There are long duty periods.
There are delays.
There are difficult passengers.
There are safety procedures.
There are examinations.
There are recurrent training requirements.
There are days when you are exhausted.
The job has wonderful moments, but it also has challenging ones.
Your motivation needs to go deeper than the glamour.
Can You Say You Love Travelling?
Yes.
There is nothing wrong with saying that you enjoy travelling.
The problem is when travelling is your only reason.
You can say:
‘I have always enjoyed travelling and experiencing different cultures, which initially attracted me to aviation. However, as I learned more about the cabin crew profession, I became interested in the combination of safety, customer service, teamwork and responsibility. I enjoy interacting with people and I believe my communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure would allow me to contribute positively to the airline.’
That is much stronger.
You have acknowledged your genuine interest in travelling while demonstrating that you understand the actual profession.
Don’t Memorise Someone Else’s Answer
This is another mistake aspiring cabin crew make.
They search:
“Best answer to why do you want to become cabin crew?”
Then they copy an answer from the internet and memorise it.
Please don’t do that.
Prepare, but don’t become a robot.
Recruiters interview many candidates.
They can hear when an answer sounds rehearsed.
And remember that your answer will probably lead to another question.
For example:
“Why do you want to become cabin crew?”
You answer.
Then the recruiter asks:
“Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.”
If your first answer was based on your real experience, you can continue the conversation naturally.
If you memorised somebody else’s answer, you may struggle.
Your answer should be your story.
What If You Have No Customer Service Experience?
Don’t panic.
You don’t necessarily need previous cabin crew experience to become cabin crew.
Think about the experiences you already have.
Perhaps you have worked in:
Retail
You may have experience dealing with customers and resolving complaints.
Hospitality
You may have experience providing service and creating positive guest experiences.
Healthcare
You may have experience caring for people and remaining calm in difficult situations.
Teaching
You may have developed patience, communication and interpersonal skills.
Sales
You may have learned how to communicate effectively and understand customer needs.
Administration
You may have developed organisation, communication and teamwork skills.
The important thing is to connect your previous experience to the cabin crew role.
What You Should Not Say
When answering “Why do you want to become cabin crew?”, avoid making these your main reasons.
“I want to travel the world.”
Too shallow on its own.
“I want free tickets.”
This focuses on what you want to receive from the airline.
“I want to wear the uniform.”
The uniform is part of the image, not the substance of the profession.
“I want to meet celebrities.”
That does not demonstrate professional motivation.
“The salary is good.”
Your financial goals are understandable, but this does not tell the recruiter why you are suited to the role.
“It has always been my dream.”
You can say this, but explain why.
What about the profession attracts you?
What have you learned about it?
What can you contribute?
Think Like A Recruiter
Before your cabin crew interview, I want you to change your thinking.
Don’t only ask:
“What can this job give me?”
Ask:
“What can I give this airline?”
That is a completely different mindset.
Can you contribute to excellent customer service?
Can you represent the airline professionally?
Can you communicate effectively?
Can you work with different personalities?
Can you remain calm under pressure?
Can you follow safety procedures?
Can you work effectively within a crew?
Can you make passengers feel valued?
Those are the things that make you employable.
The Passenger Is The Customer
Let’s go back to what I said earlier.
Your love for travelling is not what makes passengers buy a ticket.
Imagine a passenger who has been travelling all day.
They are tired.
They arrive at the aircraft.
They are perhaps travelling with their children.
They may be nervous about flying.
They may have had a difficult experience at the airport.
Then they step onto your aircraft.
You greet them.
You communicate with them.
You help them find their seat.
You respond to their questions.
You handle their requests.
You manage the cabin.
And if something goes wrong, you remain calm and professional.
That passenger may not know how many hours of training you completed.
They may not know how many safety examinations you passed.
They may not know the emergency procedures you have learned.
But they will remember how you treated them.
That experience becomes part of their perception of the airline.
And that is where cabin crew add value.
Why This Question Is Asked In So Many Cabin Crew Interviews
So, why do recruiters keep asking:
“Why do you want to become cabin crew?”
Because the question gives them a lot of information in a very short period.
Your answer can reveal:
Your motivation.
Your understanding of the profession.
Your communication skills.
Your expectations.
Your level of preparation.
Your understanding of customer service.
Your attitude towards teamwork.
Your understanding of the airline’s business.
And it can help the recruiter determine whether you are applying because you genuinely want to build a career in aviation or because you simply like the lifestyle associated with being cabin crew.
How I Would Answer This Question Today
If I were sitting in that interview room today, I certainly would not give the answer I gave when I was looking for my first cabin crew job.
I would not say:
“I am a risk taker and I am not afraid of plane crash.”
I was young.
I was naive.
I had not prepared.
And I didn’t understand the question.
Today, after more than a decade as a flight attendant, I understand the profession differently.
I understand that cabin crew are part of the airline’s customer experience.
I understand that safety is a fundamental responsibility.
I understand the importance of teamwork.
I understand that passengers remember how they are treated.
And I understand that an airline is a business.
So today, my answer would focus on what I can bring to the airline, rather than simply what I hope to get from the job.
A Simple Way To Build Your Answer
Before your interview, write down answers to these four questions:
Why cabin crew?
What genuinely attracted you to this profession?
Why you?
What skills and qualities do you have?
What do you understand about the job?
Can you demonstrate that you understand both the safety and service responsibilities?
What value can you bring?
How can you contribute to the airline’s passengers, crew and overall customer experience?
Put those four things together.
That becomes your answer.
Not somebody else’s answer.
Not something copied from TikTok.
Not something memorised from YouTube.
Your answer.
A Final Boarding Call
When I think about that first interview, I realise that I wasn’t necessarily a bad candidate.
I was simply unprepared.
I wanted to become cabin crew, but I had not taken the time to understand what the profession actually required.
So when the recruiter asked me:
“Why do you want to become cabin crew?”
I gave an answer that had nothing to do with what they were trying to discover about me.
Today, I understand why that question is asked.
And I want you to understand it before you walk into your interview.
Yes, you may love travelling.
Yes, you may want to see the world.
Yes, you may love aircraft.
Yes, you may have dreamed about wearing the uniform.
But remember this:
An airline is a business.
The airline is not employing you simply because you love travelling.
Your love for travelling is not what makes passengers buy a ticket.
Your role is to contribute to a safe, professional and positive passenger experience while representing the airline.
Because at the end of the flight, a passenger may not remember every detail of what happened on board.
But they will remember how you made them feel.
And when that passenger chooses to fly with the airline again, the experience you helped create may be part of the reason.
So the next time a recruiter asks you:
“Why do you want to become cabin crew?”
don’t just tell them what you want from the job.
Show them what you can bring to the airline.
Continue Reading
Cabin crew is much more than serving food and travelling to different destinations. I explained this in detail in my previous article, What Do Flight Attendants Really Do? The Job Is More Than Serving Food, where I break down the responsibilities that come with the uniform.