Difference Between Cabin Crew and Air Hostess

21 August,2024  |  By Brainwonders

Do you want to become a professional who will be able to travel all over the world? Do you like interacting with interesting people and making sure they have a wonderful time travelling with you? Are you planning to become a cabin crew, more commonly known as an air hostess? If you are trying to distinguish the meaning of cabin crew from that of an air hostess, then you are on the right site!

There is a more politically correct term used to refer to flight attendants, which is the “cabin crew” and which includes both male and female members. On the other hand, the term “air hostess” is used particularly for the female stewards or flight attendants. This implies that , as much as all air hostesses are from the cabin crew, not all the cabin crew members are air hostesses since some of them are males also known as flight attendants.

But that's not all! Distinguishing the difference between both in regard to job description, hierarchy, training, proficiency, and apparels. What they have in common is that both act as the public image of the airline that makes certain that every passenger who boards the plane of their airline has a pleasant experience. That is, cabin crews, which are known as air hostesses if female and flight attendants if male, serve passengers on board the aircraft and offer diverse in-flight services. They also perform other tasks that make a flight safe, including helping during emergencies or to ensure passengers are comfortable during the flight.

If you'd like to learn more about the differences between cabin crew and air hostesses, keep reading this post until the end. But first, let's dive into...

Who is an Air Hostess?

An Air Hostess is a female flight attendant, or stewardess, whose work involves preparing passengers for travel and offering services to aircraft passengers. ‘Air hostess’ is normally used in the United Kingdom, while ‘flight attendant’ is used in the United States. Since the inception of this travel profession, the air hostesses have changed their image slowly from the mere calendar Icons of the 1950s and 1960s to a much more corporate and multicultural face of the present day. Cabin crew, particularly air hostesses, are required to take up great responsibility and undergo through number of activities starting from serving the customers and attending to emergency situations.

Ensuring Passenger Safety

• Safety Briefings: Explain and show how to use safety belongings and procedures prior to starting the flight.
• Emergency Preparedness: They were well trained with emergencies; evacuation, fire drills and medical cases.
• Monitoring Cabin Safety: Make sure that safety and danger control procedures are complied with, and emergency gears are available all through the flight.

Providing Customer Service

• Welcoming Passengers: Meet and accompany passengers on board making sure to help them find their seats and their luggage.
• In-Flight Service: Administer meals, drinks and other foods that may be taken together with observing specific diets.
• Attentive Care: He/She must be able to attend to passengers needs and questions during flights.

Managing Passenger Comfort

• Cabin Preparation: Perform some initial inspection before the flight with regard to sanitation and stock numbers.
• Monitoring Conditions: It is time to maintain temperature and illumination of the cabin to increase travelers’ comfort.
• Special Assistance: It means the company should cater for the passengers with challenges such as the elderly or the disabled.

Conflict Resolution

• De-escalating Tensions: Act as crises management by make decisions and resolving conflicts with other travelers in polite language.
• Handling Difficult Situations: Handle difficult situations as secretly and as sensitive as possible.

Post-Flight Duties

• Cabin Cleanup: Help in tidying up the carriage to make preparation for the next flight.
• Debriefing: Contribute to post-flight debriefing sessions in response to certain occurrences and to listen to other’s accounts.

Who is a Cabin Crew?

Cabin crew which is also known as flight attendants, are company employee that forms part of the operating aircrew used in commercial aircraft, business jets and some government planes. Both are jointly charged with ensuring the welfare of the passengers in the aircraft during the flight. Cabin crew comprises of male and female flight attendants, pursers and even air marshals. The general use of the term ‘cabin crew’ is less biased towards gender and it is actually keen to the diverseness of the aviation business. Employers provide necessary training to Coordinate with the Flight Attendants so that the passenger’s safety and service standards may be met.

Pre-Flight Duties

• Safety Checks: Check on safety equipment; see that the aircraft has been cleaned, made comfortable and set for passengers to board.
• Briefing: Follow pre-flight meetings to know facts about the flight and passengers’ requirements and specified posts.

Welcoming Passengers

• Greeting: Greet the passengers, the check the boarding passes and help in seating arrangements.
• Luggage Assistance: Carry-on luggage service by assisting passengers to place their belongings in the overhead bins.

Safety Protocols

• Demonstrations: Explain and illustrate safety performances and directions regarding crisis management and handling of safety gadgets.
• Monitoring: Make sure that everyone is seated and his or her seatbelt fastened and make sure that all passengers conform to the safety regulations of the cabin.

In-Flight Service

• Serving Meals and Drinks: Offer a suitable diet and drinks to meet passengers’ taste and do not accept food choices that harm one’s health.
• Customer Support: Attend to the needs and complaints of the passengers as may be expected during the flight.

Emergency Preparedness

• First Aid: Apart from that, it will be the duty of the person to give first aid and render medical help when needed.
• Crisis Management: Limit any action in response to an emergency situation to the following: protecting the lives of passengers and following standard operating procedures.

Post-Flight Duties

• Disembarking: Help the passengers alight safely and to conduct searches for any left behind items or anything that looked suspicious.
• Reporting: In flight documents like flight reports, sales totals on duty- free items were also to be completed.

Communication and Coordination

• Liaison with Flight Deck: Endeavour to keep updating the cockpit crew regarding passenger status needs and safety issues.
• Teamwork: Work in Cohesion with the crew members in other to have a smooth sail during the flight.

Difference Between Cabin Crew & Air Hostess

While the terms "cabin crew" and "air hostess" are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two:

Gender Inclusivity

• Cabin Crew is a gender-neutral term that encompasses both male and female flight attendants, reflecting the increasing diversity in the aviation industry. The use of "cabin crew" helps to break down gender stereotypes and promotes equal opportunities for all.
• Air Hostess is a more specific term that refers exclusively to female flight attendants, which can be seen as outdated and limiting in today's society. The term has been criticized for reinforcing gender stereotypes and objectifying women in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Cabin Crew has a broader range of responsibilities, including safety procedures, passenger service, and communication with the cockpit crew. They are trained to handle a wide variety of situations and ensure the overall well-being of passengers throughout the flight.
• Air Hostesses focus more on customer service and creating a welcoming environment for passengers. While this aspect is important for both cabin crew and air hostesses, the term "air hostess" tends to emphasize the service and hospitality role more than the safety and security responsibilities.

Training

• Cabin Crew undergoes extensive training in safety protocols, emergency procedures, and customer service. They are required to maintain certifications and undergo regular training updates to ensure they are prepared for any situation that may arise during a flight.
• Air Hostesses may receive additional training in grooming standards, etiquette, and personal presentation, depending on the airline. While these aspects are important for creating a professional image, they are not the primary focus of cabin crew training.

Career Progression

• Cabin Crew has opportunities for specialization, such as becoming a purser or trainer, and advancement within the airline. Many airlines offer career development programs and leadership training to help cabin crew members progress in their careers.
• Air Hostesses may have similar career progression opportunities, but the term is more specific to the customer service aspect of the role. The focus on service and hospitality can limit the perception of air hostesses as solely responsible for passenger comfort rather than the broader responsibilities of cabin crew.

Cultural Perceptions

• Cabin Crew promotes inclusivity and diversity, as it is a gender-neutral term. The use of "cabin crew" helps to break down gender stereotypes and promotes equal opportunities for all.
• Air Hostesses has historically been associated with stereotypes and gender dynamics in the aviation industry. The term has been criticized for objectifying women and reinforcing outdated perceptions of female flight attendants as subservient or decorative.

Conclusion

However, there is much difference between the terms “cabin crew” and “air hostess”. Cabin crew is a general term including all the employees of aircrew, while air hostess points only to women who work in aviation. Both are important in maintenance of passengers safety and comfort when inside the aircrafts although the terminology is current in line with changing practices in the aviation sector. During the development of the aviation industry, the need to address issues of diversity and inclusion for the cabin crew profession should also be considered even the common terminology to refer to those personnel. In this way with the help of terms such as ‘cabin crew’ and emphasizing on a number of duties of flight attendants the industry should be aimed at breaking stereotype, providing equal chances and ensuring the best safety and serving aspects for a passenger.

FAQs

FAQs
Q1. What’s the difference between an air hostess and a flight attendant?

Ans: An air hostess and a flight attendant are basically the same thing. Originally, there were two terms that described the position of such a woman: “Air hostess,” which is used mostly in the United Kingdom and “Flight Attendant” which is typical for the United States. However, “flight attendant” is the title that refers to the male and female members of the cabin crew.

Q2. Are the air hosts strictly females?

Ans: Actually, it not compulsory for an air hostesses to be female. Cabin crew is a more general term, and both female and male flight attendants use it. Although the ad term “air hostess” applies to female flight attendants only. Some airlines have, for example, embraced the use of neutral terms to refer to their stewards rather than using terms such as air hostess.

Q3. To become an air hostess, what is required?

Ans: Becoming an air hostess requires standard education of a high school degree, good interpersonal skills, and good mastery of the English language. Airlines may also prohibit certain heights, weights, or ages. Employment requirements also include the fact that many airlines require customer service experience and a friendly, professional attitude.

Q4. What do air hostesses do?

Ans: That is the reason an air hostess’ responsibilities as a transporter involve passenger safety, meals and snacks’ provision and sale, as well as meeting passengers’ needs during the flight. They are also expected to observe the safety precautions, manage emergencies, and interact with the flight deck personnel.

Q5. How can I become an air hostess?

Ans: To become an air hostess, you need to meet the airline's specific requirements, which may include education, language proficiency, and physical attributes. You can apply directly to airlines or through cabin crew training programs. Many airlines also offer on-the-job training for new cabin crew members.