Job Outlook Competition for jobs as flight attendants is expected to remain very keen through the year 2000 because the number of applicants is expected to greatly exceed the number of job openings. The glamour of the airline industry and opportunity to travel attract many applicants. Those with at least 2 years of college and experience in dealing with the public have the best change of being hired. Employment of flight attendants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2000. Growth in population and income is expected to increase the number of airline passengers.
Airlines usually enlarge their capacity by increasing the number and size of planes in operations.
Since Federal Aviation Administration safety rules require one attendant for every 50 seats, more flight attendants will be needed. As more career-minded people enter this occupation, job turnover will decline. Nevertheless, most job openings are expected from the need to replace attendants who stop working or transfer to other occupations. Employment of flight attendants is sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy. During recessions, when the demand for air travel declines, many flight attendants, are put on part-time status or are laid off.