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British Airways Boeing 777 on approach

Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Flag carrier of the United Kingdom with a worldwide network

British Airways

BA / BAW

Flag carrier of the United Kingdom, a founding member of the oneworld alliance and a subsidiary of the IAG group, which also brings together Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling. Its cabin crew are based at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City.

280

Aircraft in the fleet

200

Destinations

1974

Founded

Headquarters

Harmondsworth (Waterside, near London Heathrow), United Kingdom

Main hub

London Heathrow (main hub), London Gatwick; London City for BA CityFlyer

Tips for applying as cabin crew

Cabin crew recruitment is split across four streams: Heathrow (short-haul and long-haul), Gatwick (long-haul), BA CityFlyer (London City, European routes) and BA Euroflyer (Gatwick, short-haul). The right to live and work in the United Kingdom is required from the point of application, with no visa sponsorship, and candidates must be fluent in English, both spoken and written. Initial training lasts 4 to 6 weeks at Heathrow or Gatwick and includes preparation for the British cabin crew attestation ("Cabin Crew Attestation").

Fleet figures as of BA press fact sheet accessed October 2026 ("more than 280 aircraft") — indicative (public sources, they change over time); check with the airline before an interview.

Cabin crew recruitment at British Airways

Conditions stated by the airline

  • Be 18 years of age or over at the time of application
  • Be fluent in English, both spoken and written
  • Have 12 months' experience in customer service
  • Have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom at the time of application; British Airways does not offer visa sponsorship for this role
  • Hold a passport allowing unrestricted travel worldwide
  • Pass the Functionality Check: a vertical reach of at least 2.01 m, maximum height of 2.01 m; the offer is conditional on this test, and BA states that a height of roughly 1.575 m at minimum is probably needed to achieve the required reach
  • Have no visible tattoos (Heathrow and Gatwick: not visible; BA CityFlyer: never visible outside the uniform)
  • Pass the medical examination, five-year background check, criminal record check and substance test (pre-employment checks)

Selection steps stated

  1. Apply online via the careers site, explaining your motivation
  2. Online assessment with situational-judgement questions
  3. Assessment centre (group and individual exercises, followed by an interview), booked after pre-selection
  4. Offer and contract sent via the application portal
  5. Pre-employment checks: five-year background check, criminal record check, medical examination, uniform fitting, substance test, height/reach assessment and security interview
  6. Initial cabin crew training ("New Entrant Training"), preceded for some roles by a pool drill course ("Wet Drill") with an approved provider

The age, English-language and experience criteria come from the "Cabin Crew | Talent Pool" advert (Heathrow); the "Cabin Crew with Attestation" campaign is reserved for holders of a valid cabin crew attestation from the UK authority (UK CAA), and the rules differ slightly between Heathrow/Gatwick and BA CityFlyer.

Official recruitment page ↗

1 offer open today

All cabin crew jobs in Europe →

History

The airline's origins go back to 25 August 1919, when Aircraft Transport and Travel launched the first daily scheduled international service, between London and Paris. Five pioneering companies merged in 1924, after which two state-owned enterprises came to dominate the sector: BOAC (established in 1939) and British European Airways (1947). The British Airways Board, formed in 1972, brought them together, and British Airways was born from their merger on 31 March 1974. Privatised in February 1987, it acquired British Caledonian that same year, became a founding member of the oneworld alliance in 1999, and then joined forces with Iberia within the IAG group (agreement formalised in 2010, completed in January 2011). It celebrated its centenary in 2019 and retired its Boeing 747-400s in 2020.

Frequently asked questions

What conditions must be met to apply as cabin crew at British Airways?+

The airline's job adverts ask for candidates to be at least 18 years old, fluent in English both spoken and written, with 12 months' experience in customer service, and to hold a passport allowing unrestricted travel. The right to live and work in the United Kingdom is required at the time of application: British Airways states that it does not sponsor visas for this role. Only permanent, full-time positions are offered.

How does the selection process work?+

The application, including a statement of motivation, is followed by an online situational-judgement assessment, then an assessment centre made up of group and individual exercises and an interview. After the offer and contract come the pre-employment checks, followed by initial training. The airline recruits first from its candidate pool ("talent pool") whenever needs arise.

Is there a height requirement?+

British Airways does not state a minimum height as such, but the offer is conditional on a functionality check: a vertical reach of at least 2.01 m, with a maximum height of 2.01 m. The airline estimates that candidates probably need to be at least 1.575 m tall to achieve this reach. The offer is withdrawn if the check is not passed.

Where is cabin crew based and which aircraft do they fly on?+

Heathrow crews fly on long-haul and short-haul, Gatwick crews on long-haul, while BA CityFlyer operates from London City to European destinations, typically with 2 to 5 flights a day. On long-haul, the advert cites the 777 or the 787 as well as the A380 or the A350; BA CityFlyer operates Embraer 170 and 190 aircraft. BA Euroflyer is the short-haul subsidiary based at Gatwick.

How much time passes between the offer and starting the role?+

Pre-employment checks begin once the offer is accepted and are normally completed within around 16 weeks. Initial training then lasts 4 to 6 weeks at Heathrow or Gatwick, and 30 to 32 days (including rest days) at BA CityFlyer.

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