22 Best Jobs for Ex-Cabin Crew | Career Options for Ex Flight Attendants

A cabin crew job is not forever and flight attendants should be aware of this when they sign up for the position.

A cabin crew role is physically and mentally demanding, and it takes a toll on your body after a while. It’s good to keep career options open and know what other jobs are out there that would suit your skills and experience.
There are many options for those who want to stay in the aviation industry, such as working in airport management, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, training or flight operations.

Recruitment consultant, event planner, customer service representative or manager are also great career options for ex-cabin crew members.
Some people decide to invest their money wisely or return home to start a business after working as a cabin crew for some years. Others become pilots or travel bloggers/writers.

A cabin crew job is not forever. You should be aware of this fact when you sign up for this position. A flight attendant role is a physical and mentally demanding job, and it takes a toll on your body after a while. So it’s good that you keep your career options open, and know what other jobs are out there that would suit your skills and experience. There are flight attendants who grow from within the company and find other jobs in the same airline, while others look for opportunities elsewhere. One important thing to think about is that once you’ve experienced enough, you can venture into other job positions.

Also Read: Cabin Crew Layover – Maximizing Hotel Layovers as a Flight Attendant

Some flight attendants only last one contract (2-3 years) but there are those who also last for more than 15 years. It really depends on the person and what their goals are. Either way, it is best to be prepared for when the time comes to move on from your current job. So what are the best jobs for ex cabin crew? Here are a few ideas:

1. Work in Aviation-Related Departments

The first option is to stay with the same company in a different position. There are many other industries related to aviation that you can work in, such as airport management, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, training, and flight operations.

These are all great career options for those who are interested in working in the aviation industry but don’t want to be a pilot or cabin crew member. Given that you already have the experience, your foot is already on the door and it’s much easier to transition into these roles.

2. Recruitment Consultant

One of the best jobs for ex cabin crew is working as a recruitment consultant. If you enjoyed working with people and helping them find their dream job, then this could be the perfect career for you. As a recruitment consultant, you will be responsible for finding the right candidates for businesses and organizations. This is a great job for those who are people-oriented and have good interpersonal skills, which is something that flight attendants do on a daily basis (interact with people).

3. Event Planner

Another great option for ex cabin crew is to become an event planner. This job requires excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. If you enjoy planning and coordinating events, then this is the perfect career for you. As an event planner, you will be responsible for organizing all aspects of an event, from start to finish. This includes booking venues, arranging transportation, and coordinating catering.

4. Travel Agent

If you love to travel and enjoy helping others plan their dream holidays, then working as a travel agent could be the perfect job for you. As a travel agent, you will be responsible for booking flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements for your clients. This is a great job for those who are passionate about travel and enjoy helping others plan their dream vacations.

5. Customer Service Representative / Manager

Customer service is a great option for ex cabin crew members because it makes use of the skills that you have developed while working as a flight attendant. These include excellent people skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to think on your feet. If you enjoy helping others and working in a fast-paced environment, then this could be the perfect career for you.

As a customer service representative or manager, you will be responsible for handling customer inquiries and complaints. This is a great job for those who are patient and have good problem-solving skills.

6. Open a Business

It’s not surprising that many cabin crews end up returning home after working for a few years in UAE. They work hard and then go back to their own country where they can enjoy the fruits of what has been achieved with this new career path – opening up businesses or pursuing other interests which are often related somehow, right?

Given that being a cabin crew features an above-average salary, most cabin crews work for a number of years and raise money, go back to their home countries, and build a business.

7. Become a Pilot

Some cabin crews love aviation and hope to become a pilot one day. They try to earn enough money and save it in order to train in a flight school.

While this is a great option for some, it is not possible for everyone. It takes a lot of money and time to become a pilot, and not everyone has the resources or the ability to do so. So you need to think hard if you wish to become a pilot. Once you have made the decision, then you can start saving money and working towards your goal.

8. Invest Your Money

You can start investing your hard-earned money wisely while working as a cabin crew member so that there is something to gain afterward. Some people purchase a property, others invest in a business. As you save enough money, you can buy and purchase investments that can help secure your future.

WARNING: Whatever your plan to invest in, make sure that you do your research first and know what you are getting into. You don’t want to end up like other cabin crew who have invested in a multi-level marketing scheme that turned out to be a Ponzi scheme (Pyramid Scam).

9. Apply for Cruise Ship Jobs

You can work in a cruise ship if you still wish to travel to other places but you’re done flying. This is a great opportunity to see the world and meet new people. As a cruise ship employee, you will have the chance to work in different departments, such as customer service, food and beverage, or entertainment. Take note that this is another option given that you already have gained the experience and skills from your cabin crew career.

10. Travel Blogger / Writer

If you love to travel and write, then starting a travel blog is the perfect job for you. This is a great way to share your experiences with others and help them plan their dream vacations. As a travel blogger, you will be responsible for writing articles about your travels, taking photos, and posting videos of your adventures.

You can start building your blog as you work as a cabin crew. Just make sure that you are aware of the rules when it comes to sharing information from your company rules. Some travel bloggers started small while they were working, but as time passed and their blogs became popular, they have been able to make a living out of it.

11. Become a Vlogger / YouTuber

Similar to being a travel blogger, you can also start your own YouTube channel where you document your travels. This is a great way to share your experiences with others and help them plan their dream vacations.

As a YouTuber, you will be responsible for filming videos about your travels, taking photos, and posting videos of your adventures. There are some ex-flight attendants who have ventured into vlogging and sharing their knowledge in aviation.

12. Work as a Freelance Consultant

You can work as a freelance consultant for airlines or other businesses in the aviation industry. In this role, you will be responsible for providing advice and support to businesses on various topics, such as customer service, safety procedures, or marketing. This is a great job for those who are knowledgeable about the aviation industry and have good people skills. As a freelance consultant, you can work from home or anywhere in the world.

13. Write a Book

You can share your stories and experiences with others by writing a book. This is a great way to inspire other people, especially those who are looking to enter the aviation industry. If you have good writing skills, then this job is perfect for you. You can start writing your book while you’re still working as a cabin crew member. Just make sure that you do not violate any confidentiality rules from your company.

14. Work as an Aviation Trainer

You can work as an aviation trainer if you want to share your knowledge and experience with others. In this job, you will be responsible for teaching new cabin crew members about various topics, such as safety procedures, customer service, or emergency situations. This is a great job for those who are patient and have good people skills. As an aviation trainer, you can work for an airline or a training institution.

15. Get a Job in Airport Management

You can apply for a job in airport management if you want to use your experience to help run an airport smoothly. In this job, you will be responsible for coordinating the activities of all the people working in the airport, such as the security personnel, the baggage handlers, and the cabin crew members. This is a great job for those who are organized and have good people skills. As an airport manager, you can work for an airline or an airport authority.

16. Tour Guide

If you love to travel and meet new people, then working as a tour guide is the perfect job for you. In this job, you will be responsible for leading groups of tourists around a city or country and providing them with information about the places they are visiting. This is a great job for those who are outgoing and have good people skills. As a tour guide, you can work for a tour company or an airline.

17. Become a VIP / VVIP Flight Attendant in a Private Jet

This job is for those who still want to fly but want to avoid commercial airlines. You can become a VIP cabin crew or VVIP flight attendant if you want to work for high-profile clients. In this job, you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service to VIP or VVIP passengers. This is a great job for those who are professional and have good people skills. As a VIP or VVIP flight attendant, you can work for an airline or a private jet charter company.

18. Corporate Job

There are those who do not wish to fly anymore because maybe they have their own families and want to prioritize having a regular schedule nowadays. They go for a corporate job in an aviation company. There are a variety of corporate positions you can apply for such as working in the Human Resources, Legal, Finance, Marketing, and Sales department.

19. Language Teacher

You can become a language teacher if you want to use your language skills to help others learn. In this job, you will be responsible for teaching people from all over the world how to speak a new language. This is a great job for those who are patient and have good people skills. As a language teacher, you can work for an airline, a language school, or an online education platform.

20. Hotel Receptionist

You can become a hotel receptionist if you want to use your customer service skills to help people have a pleasant stay at a hotel. In this job, you will be responsible for checking in guests, giving them information about the hotel and its amenities, and helping them with any problems they may have. This is a great job for those who are outgoing and have good people skills. As a hotel receptionist, you can work for a hotel or a hospitality company.

21. Ground Staff

You can apply for a job as ground staff if you want to use your experience to help people have a pleasant journey. In this job, you will be responsible for assisting passengers with their luggage, checking their tickets, and giving them information about their flight. This is a great job for those who are organized and have good people skills. As a ground staff, you can work for an airline or an airport authority.

22. Work in F&B / Retail

You can work in food and beverage or retail if you want to use your customer service skills to help people have a pleasant experience. In this job, you will be responsible for serving food and drinks to guests, handling sales transactions, and giving information about the products and services offered. Remember that being a cabin crew has a more demanding skill set as you are flying while performing your duties. So your experience is a plus if you can land a job at a high-profile restaurant or work in luxury retail outlets.

Aviation and Work Experience as a Cabin Crew

The cabin crew experience gives you a lot of opportunity for growth within the airline and growth in terms of interacting within a multi-cultural environment. So take this experience as a stepping stone as you progress into other careers.

But make sure that you do not forget to set a goal in your life from the beginning. Being a flight attendant is not forever and it is good to know what you want in your life so you can plan your next steps after you leave this job.

Do not forget to have a backup plan and to save up money so you can easily transition into your next job.

Upgrade Your Skills

Don’t forget to keep upgrading your skills. As a flight attendant, you will also have continuing education and training as you move up the ranks. The more skills you have, the more employable you will be.

So if you are planning to leave your job as a flight attendant, make sure that you have a plan and that you are prepared for the next step in your career.

And always remember that the sky is the limit! There are so many opportunities out there for you, so never limit yourself.

Enjoy Life as a Crew

Lastly, as you will soon give up your wings to fly, enjoy life as a cabin crew so you can look back at this time with fond memories. Make the most out of your time and learn as much as you can.

Cabin crew life is not always easy but it is definitely a rewarding experience.

Video: Jobs after Quitting Flight Attendant Life

Here’s a video that summarizes some tips on career options after you quit the flight attendant job.

If you grow tired of the lifestyle, settle down, or just want to change the pace, you can have other options outside of being a flight attendant.

The key is to remember that your experience as a cabin crew member will be valuable in other industries. If you have good people skills, are able to handle difficult situations, and can remain calm under pressure, you will be successful in any career you choose.

Summary

Cabin crew members often have many skills that can be transferable to other industries. If you are thinking of leaving your job as a flight attendant, then there are many other options available to you.

As a reminder, it is good to continue to upgrade your skills even if you keep working as a cabin crew. That way, you will have an edge over other candidates when you eventually decide to leave your job and look for other opportunities.