Profile of Cabin Crew — Roles, DGCA Qualifications, Job Description & Career Hierarchy
Aviation · Part 3 · Module 9
Profile of Cabin Crew — Roles, DGCA Qualifications, Job Description & Career Hierarchy
Cabin crew are not just servers of meals at 35,000 feet — they are first responders, brand ambassadors, safety officers, and PR professionals all in one. Here is the complete profile of India’s cabin crew as prescribed by DGCA.
✈️ On-Board Staff Structure
On-board airline staff is divided into two main categories: Flight Deck Crew (pilots and relief crew) and Cabin Crew (flight attendants and purser). The number of crew depends on flight duration, aircraft type, and whether it is domestic or international.
🛫 Flight Deck Crew
Captain (Pilot in Command)
Highest ranking officer on board. Controls and navigates the aircraft. Responsible for all pre-flight checks, route selection, safety of all passengers and crew, communication with ATC (Air Traffic Control), and supervision of all on-board crew members.
First Officer (Co-Pilot)
Seated next to Captain in the cockpit. Assists Captain in all aircraft operations. Shares flight duties and responsibilities. All commercial airlines have two designated pilots (Captain + First Officer) at minimum.
Relief Crew Members
Fully licensed Captains and First Officers who accompany on long-haul flights. Purpose: relieve the Captain and First Officer when rest or sleep is needed during very long flights (typically 8+ hours).
🧳 Cabin Crew Roles
Purser
Chief of cabin crew. Heads and leads all flight attendants and service staff on board. Also called: Air Hostess (female) or Flight Steward (male). Senior most cabin crew member responsible for overall cabin management.
Flight Attendant (Cabin Crew)
Also known as Air Hostess (female) or Steward (male). Responsible for passenger safety and comfort throughout the flight. The most visible face of the airline.
Flight Medic
Specialised paramedic employed on air ambulance flights. Provides in-flight medical care for patients being transported.
📋 Cabin Crew Job Description (DGCA)
Cabin crew have two distinct responsibilities: (1) Primary — Passenger and cabin safety and (2) Secondary — Airline’s public relations officer, creating a favourable impression through service.
Complete Cabin Crew Duties
✓ Pre-flight briefing — assigned positions, briefed on special passengers (wheelchair, infants, dietary needs)
✓ Check safety equipment, aircraft cleanliness, food supplies
✓ Welcome passengers boarding with smile and greeting
✓ Direct passengers to seats, ensure luggage safely stowed in overhead bins
✓ Demonstrate emergency procedures before take-off
✓ Check all seat belts and galley secure before take-off
✓ Senior crew operates Exit and Emergency doors (close before take-off, open after landing)
✓ Make announcements on behalf of Captain
✓ Answer passenger questions about flight and on-board facilities
✓ Serve food and beverages during flight
✓ Sell duty-free goods on board
✓ Ensure safe disembarkation and check overhead lockers are empty
✓ Prepare post-flight reports and paperwork
✓ Provide first aid to passengers needing medical attention
✓ Crowd control within aircraft during emergencies
✓ Senior crew: trained to assist pilot in operating aircraft if pilot is incapacitated
✓ Check safety equipment, aircraft cleanliness, food supplies
✓ Welcome passengers boarding with smile and greeting
✓ Direct passengers to seats, ensure luggage safely stowed in overhead bins
✓ Demonstrate emergency procedures before take-off
✓ Check all seat belts and galley secure before take-off
✓ Senior crew operates Exit and Emergency doors (close before take-off, open after landing)
✓ Make announcements on behalf of Captain
✓ Answer passenger questions about flight and on-board facilities
✓ Serve food and beverages during flight
✓ Sell duty-free goods on board
✓ Ensure safe disembarkation and check overhead lockers are empty
✓ Prepare post-flight reports and paperwork
✓ Provide first aid to passengers needing medical attention
✓ Crowd control within aircraft during emergencies
✓ Senior crew: trained to assist pilot in operating aircraft if pilot is incapacitated
Emergency Skills — Cabin Crew Must Be Trained For
Rejected take-offs · Emergency landings · Cardiac events · Smoke in cabin · Fires · Depressurisation · On-board births and deaths · Dangerous goods spills · Emergency evacuations · Hijackings · Water landings · Sea/forest/arctic/desert survival skills
Emergency Equipment Operations: Evacuation slides, slide-rafts, life-rafts, life jackets, infant lifejackets, dropdown oxygen system, first-aid oxygen, fire extinguishers, fire axe/crowbar, emergency lights, torches, megaphones, survival packs, pyrotechnics, first-aid kits
Emergency Equipment Operations: Evacuation slides, slide-rafts, life-rafts, life jackets, infant lifejackets, dropdown oxygen system, first-aid oxygen, fire extinguishers, fire axe/crowbar, emergency lights, torches, megaphones, survival packs, pyrotechnics, first-aid kits
📜 DGCA Minimum Qualifications — Cabin Crew
I. Age
Minimum 18 years of age at the time of application.
II. Education
Must have passed 10+2 from a recognised Board or University. No specific subject requirement (unlike pilot who needs Physics + Maths).
III. Height
Must be able to reach safety equipment and open/close overhead bins while standing. Feet must touch floor flat while seated in jump seat (brace position). Each airline specifies its own height requirements per recruitment policy.
IV. Medical Standards
Must undergo Class II Medical Examination at induction. Repeat medical every 2 years up to age 40. After age 40: annual medical examination.
V. Training
Must be trained at a reputed and recognised cabin crew training institute in India.
📜 DGCA Minimum Qualifications — Commercial Airline Pilot
Age
Minimum 18 years.
Education
10+2 with Physics and Mathematics from recognised Board/University. Minimum 50% marks.
Medical
Medical and physical fitness certificate from DGCA-approved Medical Board as per Director General’s requirements under 39B.
Knowledge Exam
Written exam in: Air Regulations, Air Navigation, Meteorology, Aircraft and Engines. Practical exam in aural and visual signals interpretation.
Flying Experience
Minimum 200 hours flying experience. Training from any of 29 DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations in India.
📊 Cabin Crew Career Hierarchy
Career Progression Path
Flight Attendant → entry-level cabin crew after training
Senior Cabin Crew → minimum 5 years total flying experience including 1 year on aircraft type + leadership demonstration
Check Cabin Crew → from Senior Cabin Crew after 1 year in that capacity + 1-day auditing principles course → conducts check flights for other cabin crew
First Aider → cabin crew trained in first aid including hypoxia, asthma, cardiac events, choking
Senior Cabin Crew → minimum 5 years total flying experience including 1 year on aircraft type + leadership demonstration
Check Cabin Crew → from Senior Cabin Crew after 1 year in that capacity + 1-day auditing principles course → conducts check flights for other cabin crew
First Aider → cabin crew trained in first aid including hypoxia, asthma, cardiac events, choking
🎯 UGC NET Key Points — Module 9
◆ On-board staff: Flight Deck Crew (Captain, First Officer, Relief Crew) + Cabin Crew (Purser, Flight Attendant, Flight Medic)
◆ Captain = Pilot in Command = highest ranking officer on aircraft
◆ Purser = chief cabin crew = Air Hostess (female) / Flight Steward (male)
◆ Cabin crew 2 duties: Safety (primary) + PR/service (secondary)
◆ DGCA cabin crew qualifications: Age 18+ · 10+2 · Height to reach overhead bins · Class II medical
◆ Medical exam: every 2 years until age 40 · annually after 40
◆ DGCA pilot qualifications: Age 18+ · 10+2 (Physics + Maths, 50%) · medical · 200 hours flying experience
◆ 29 DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations in India
◆ Senior Cabin Crew: 5 years total flying + 1 year on aircraft type
◆ Check Cabin Crew: 1 additional year as Senior + 1-day auditing course
◆ Captain = Pilot in Command = highest ranking officer on aircraft
◆ Purser = chief cabin crew = Air Hostess (female) / Flight Steward (male)
◆ Cabin crew 2 duties: Safety (primary) + PR/service (secondary)
◆ DGCA cabin crew qualifications: Age 18+ · 10+2 · Height to reach overhead bins · Class II medical
◆ Medical exam: every 2 years until age 40 · annually after 40
◆ DGCA pilot qualifications: Age 18+ · 10+2 (Physics + Maths, 50%) · medical · 200 hours flying experience
◆ 29 DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations in India
◆ Senior Cabin Crew: 5 years total flying + 1 year on aircraft type
◆ Check Cabin Crew: 1 additional year as Senior + 1-day auditing course
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