What you need to know to become a Delta Airlines flight attendant

Delta Airlines is a sought-after airline to be a flight attendant for in the United States. In fact, even aspirants from the Philippines have been asking how to become a flight attendant for Delta. So here’s something for those who want to work as a flight attendant for Delta. Just make sure you are eligible to work in the United States, that’s the first thing you should know.

It is not easy to become a Delta flight attendant. The path to it is very competitive. In fact, there was a time that out of around 100,000 aspirants who applied for Delta, only 1,000 were chosen to be their flight attendants.

There are several reasons why someone would choose to work as a Delta flight attendant. Here are a few examples:

• Travel opportunities: Flight attendants have the opportunity to go to many countries all around the world. This may be an excellent opportunity to visit new locations, meet new people, and learn about diverse cultures.
• Competitive compensation and benefits: Delta offers competitive pay and benefits to flight attendants, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation time.
• Career advancement: Many flight attendants begin their careers with Delta and subsequently transition to other positions within the corporation, such as training, management, or other related professions.
• Flexibility: Flight attendants can work flexible hours, which is advantageous for people who desire to balance employment with other duties or hobbies.
• Sense of purpose: Flight attendants perform a crucial role in assuring passenger safety and comfort. For people who take pleasure in delivering exceptional customer service, this may be a gratifying and enjoyable career.
• Enjoyable and dynamic workplace: Delta flight attendants work in a fast-paced and dynamic workplace that may be both demanding and exciting.
• Professional growth: Throughout their careers, flight attendants undergo extensive training and have opportunities for professional development.

Duties and expectations to be a Delta flight attendant

If you want to work as a Delta Airlines cabin crew member, you need first understand what the airline expects of you and what your responsibilities will be. Delta expects a lot from its cabin crew, knowing how important their duties as safety professionals and in-flight customer service representatives are. According to their website, the following are the tasks and responsibilities of a Delta flight attendant:

• Ensure the safety and comfort of our passengers while providing exceptional customer service, at an altitude of at least 8,000 feet
• Provide assistance lifting and stowing luggage into overhead bins and soliciting assistance when needed
• Demonstrate the use of safety and emergency equipment and ensure safety requirements are met
• Prepare, serve, and sell beverages (including alcohol) and meals (which may include beef, pork, seafood, peanuts, etc.)
• Answer questions and assist passengers when necessary, particularly those with special needs
• Actively seek to ensure the safety and comfort of customers when an aircraft experiences delays or hits turbulence
• Administer and coordinate emergency procedures or provide emergency care (e.g., performing CPR and basic first aid) when needed
• Respond to and provide clear and accurate directions (verbally or non-verbally) to passengers in the event of an emergency
• Make decisions to address issues keeping in line with Delta policies, procedures, and core values
• Work both independently and as part of a team to accomplish work tasks
• Meet deadlines and manage unexpected changes in a time-sensitive and stressful environment
• Practice safety conscious behaviors in all operational processes and procedures

The requirements to be a Delta flight attendant are pretty much straightforward and here they are:

• Eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Be at least 21 years of age at time of application
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently
• Ability to acquire and keep current a passport and travel documents to freely enter and exit places where Delta flies. Must have a valid passport with a minimum of 30 months validity remaining before first day of training. Additionally, non-US passport holders must be able to produce documents demonstrating their ability to exit and enter the United States without restriction.
• Complete a pre-employment Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test, and comprehensive background check, including government-required fingerprint-based criminal history record check
• This is a physically demanding role that requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting (i.e., pushing/pulling beverage or food carts and lifting and opening emergency aircraft doors)
• Ability to sit in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened
• Ability to open emergency exits and close aircraft doors weighing up to 60 pounds and use of a food/beverage cart requiring 32lbs of force when pushing or pulling
• Demonstrates that privacy is a priority when handling personal data
• Embraces a diverse set of people, thinking and styles
• Consistently makes safety and security, of self and others, the priority
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours when needed
• Ability to work in a physically demanding role which requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, and lifting (i.e., pushing/pulling beverage or food carts and lifting and opening emergency aircraft doors)
• Ability to retrieve and store items in the overhead bins which can be as high as 74″ from the floor
• Willingness to accept assignment to any Flight Attendant base after graduation from training, as dictated by the needs of the operation
• Flexibility to relocate or commute (i.e. standby travel) to and from your assigned base location and able to fly both International and Domestic routes
• Must be willing to change and adapt to meet the demands of the job, including dealing with scheduling changes on short-notice
• Where permitted by applicable law, must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by date of hire to be considered for U.S.-based job, if not currently employed by Delta Air Lines, Inc.

The Delta flight attendant training process

Delta flight attendant training is a thorough curriculum that consists of classroom education, hands-on training, and certification. The training period normally lasts 6-8 weeks. The following is an outline of the training process:

• Initial training: Initial training is a thorough curriculum that covers all areas of the flight attendant profession, including safety protocols, emergency procedures, customer service, and communication skills.
• Safety training. Safety training is an important part of the training process and involves education on emergency procedures, emergency equipment, and evacuation protocols.
• Service training: This training includes the fundamentals of customer service and communication skills, such as how to communicate with passengers, handle tough circumstances, and give excellent service.

Hands-on training involves simulations of emergency procedures as well as instruction on how to use emergency equipment. Then the flight training will allow flight attendants to get experience, practice procedures, and abilities on a real aircraft. After which, the new flight attendants must pass a final exam and undergo certification after completing the training program.

Tips and advice to pass the Delta cabin crew interview

Now that you have a general idea of what it takes and what you will go through to become a Delta flight attendant, allow me to share some tips and advice:

• Research the company.  Discover Delta’s principles, goals, and history. This will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are interested in the firm and have done your research.
• Make your CV relevant to the flight attendant role by emphasizing your customer service and communication abilities.
• Prepare responses to commonly asked interview questions and rehearse them with a friend or family member. This will boost your confidence throughout the interview.
• Dress professionally for the interview. Make a good first impression by dressing professionally.
• Demonstrate your adaptability and willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Flight attendants are expected to work a wide range of hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, so be ready to discuss your availability.
• Emphasize your team player approach. Flight attendants operate in a team atmosphere, so it’s critical to demonstrate your ability to collaborate with others.
• Showcase your problem-solving abilities and your capacity to operate well under pressure. Flight attendants may experience stressful situations that need rapid and effective decision-making.
• Be upbeat and optimistic. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the chance to become a Delta flight attendant and how you will contribute to the team.
• Demonstrate your capacity to deal with tension and remain cool under pressure. As a flight attendant, you will be exposed to a variety of scenarios and must demonstrate your ability to manage them with grace and professionalism.
• Prepare to answer questions about your previous customer service experience and to offer specific instances of how you gave outstanding service in the past, if applicable.

Remember that the interview is intended to examine your credentials, talents, and suitability for the post of flight attendant, so be honest and true in your replies.

If you are an aspirant in the Philippines who wants to become a flight attendant for Delta, please make sure that you are eligible to work in the United States.

So that’s about it! Hoping these would help you as you try your luck to become a flight attendant for Delta!