How Ready are you to Become a Philippine Airlines Cabin Crew?

Philippine Airlines is hiring more and more flight attendants! This is great news for the majority of Filipino cabin crew aspirants, as working for Philippine Airlines is often their ultimate dream. More than just the pride of being a flight attendant for the Philippines’ national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines really values its cabin crew, taking excellent care of them.

In addition to the way above-average salary that PAL cabin crew earn, the airline also focuses on helping them meet their personal growth goals. PAL continually strives to make the airline a healthy, non-toxic work environment for the crew. They organize various activities such as art exhibits, bazaars, sports programs, and even leadership development programs.

What’s also great are the benefits the airline provides to the crew and their immediate families, especially those who have served the airline for many years.

At the heart of it, PAL flight attendants are professional and highly trained safety custodians on board the aircraft.

The turnover rate for cabin crew at Philippine Airlines is low. This means flight attendants often stay with PAL for a long time because the airline sees them as valuable assets. Some pursers have been with the airline for more than 30 years, and the majority of PAL cabin crew have served for over 10 years.

Nevertheless, a lot is expected from anyone who aims to become a successful PAL flight attendant.

What does Philippine Airlines look for in potential cabin crew?

I’ve personally witnessed various PAL training sessions, from safety to service. I’ve also attended numerous Philippine Airlines cabin crew graduations. Moreover, I’ve spoken to PAL flight attendants at different levels of seniority, senior cabin crew trainers, and cabin crew managers. Based on these first-hand experiences, let me share some observations with you.

You Must Be Professional

In Philippine Airlines, cabin crew members are expected to look and act professionally. PAL cabin crew are trained to be humble and compassionate, but they also command respect as authorities inside the cabin. If you aim to be a PAL flight attendant, professionalism is key in all aspects of your work and daily interactions.

Commanding Respect is Essential

Philippine Airlines cabin crew must be able to command respect. As PAL flight attendants, passengers must respect you and your role on board the aircraft. Why? Because passengers need to obey you when you’re carrying out safety procedures and protocols. So, if you want to become a PAL flight attendant, strong values and high integrity are a must.

You Must Have a Heart for Service

PAL is particularly interested in your answer when they ask, “Why do you want to be a flight attendant?” They prefer candidates who are committed to a culture of service. Essentially, PAL looks for cabin crew who genuinely want to serve others. If you need advice on how to answer this question, feel free to read more about it.

Being a Team Player is Crucial

PAL’s onboard service is orderly, well-managed, and timed to perfection, all while prioritizing passenger care. To deliver this level of service, all cabin crew members must work as a team. That’s why group dynamics are part of the cabin crew screening process; they want to see how well you work in a group setting.

A PAL Cabin Crew Member is a People Person

Good communication skills are important, but you also need to excel at interacting with a variety of personalities. PAL cabin crew aim to make every passenger feel at home. Each passenger has a unique story, and regardless of what it is, a PAL cabin crew member should make them feel comfortable. At the end of the day, it’s all about giving each passenger a memorable flight experience. Part of PAL’s training even includes greeting “anything that moves,” whether you know the person or not, and always with a smile!

You Must Have a Warm Personality

Philippine Airlines aims to offer Filipino hospitality and care to every passenger, and the cabin crew plays a key role in this. Therefore, anyone who wants to become a PAL flight attendant should have a warm personality.

PAL Doesn’t Like Being a Second Option

From what I’ve observed, PAL prefers candidates who see the airline as a long-term career, not just a “stepping stone.” The airline values crew members who have long-term goals and aspirations with the company. That’s why PAL takes excellent care of its crew, offering not just great compensation and benefits but also personal growth opportunities.

Recruiters love to hear that your ultimate career goal is to be part of Philippine Airlines. They also appreciate when you have personal growth goals within PAL, like moving from cabin crew to flight deck crew, or from junior cabin crew to purser. In short, they favor candidates who aim to grow and stay with PAL for the long haul.

Service to the Nation

Remember, when you’re a PAL cabin crew member, you’re serving the nation by representing an airline that carries the name “Philippines.” This requires a lot of dedication. In 2020, when Covid-19 was new and global borders were closing, many Filipinos abroad couldn’t return home. PAL conducted numerous repatriation flights. Despite the health risks, many PAL crew members volunteered to staff these flights out of their own free will. No one was forced to participate, but these brave crew members chose to, despite the life-threatening dangers.

This act was their service to their fellow Filipinos during a critical time. So, as a PAL cabin crew member, you’re not just serving the airline; you’re serving the country as well.

Some tips to help you become a PAL flight attendant

Becoming part of Philippine Airlines is no easy feat. The standards are high and a lot is expected from you. You’ll go through various stages of interviews because the airline wants to ensure they’re hiring the right people for their cabin crew. So, here are just a few tips:

• Adopt the traits of a PAL flight attendant and learn to embrace a culture of service for one another.
• Have a strong “why.” Be prepared to answer the question, “Why do you want to become a PAL flight attendant?” Show the interviewers that you’re interested in the job itself.
• Work on your communication skills. Make sure you can clearly convey your message to the panelists. Practice by having long, meaningful conversations with people. If you struggle with English, start improving it now.
• If you’re currently a cabin crew member looking to transfer to PAL, ensure you have a clean record with your previous airline. That means no AWOLs or major offenses. PAL does background checks, so it’s best to have a former manager who can vouch for you.
• Cultivate professionalism in your character. Practice being professional in your daily interactions and in handling various situations.
• Be prepared for questions like, “What will you do if we don’t accept you?” Think of an answer that communicates that PAL is your primary goal.
• Pay attention to your weight and grooming, as PAL is particular about these aspects. If you need to lose weight or improve your skin or teeth, now is the time to do it.

So why does Philippine Airlines have such high expectations for their cabin crew? They expect a lot from you because they believe you’re worth it. At the end of the day, PAL makes their cabin crew feel highly valued.