Airlines / American Airlines / Requirements
American Airlines cabin crew requirements
The hard filters American Airlines applies before a recruiter reads your CV — age, reach, tattoos, languages and documents, with how strict each one is compared to the rest of the industry.
Minimum age
20 years
Most carriers set 18; Gulf and US majors usually 21.
Height & reach
No published minimum
Reach matters more than height: you must access the emergency equipment overhead.
Tattoos
Nothing visible in uniform
Tattoos must not be visible in uniform; covering with plasters or heavy makeup is not accepted at assessment. Like most of the 59 airlines we index, nothing may show while you are in uniform.
Languages
Fluent English
Fluent English; bilingual speakers can apply for language-qualified positions with hiring priority for Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and other network languages.
Education
High school diploma or GED required; college and customer-service experience preferred.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
Right to work in the US, valid passport with unrestricted travel, 10-year verifiable background, and reach/physical requirements for exits and overhead bins.
Work rights matter here
American Airlines expects the right to work in US. Without it, applications are usually filtered out before assessment regardless of how strong the rest of your profile is.
Do you meet these American Airlines requirements?
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Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 20 | — | Not allowed |
| Delta Air Lines | 21 | — | Not allowed |
| United Airlines | 21 | — | Some allowed |
| Southwest Airlines | 21 | — | Some allowed |
| Alaska Airlines | 21 | — | Not allowed |
| JetBlue | 21 | — | Some allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for American Airlines cabin crew?
American Airlines publishes no fixed height minimum — the test is whether you can reach the emergency equipment in the overhead compartments.
Can you join American Airlines cabin crew with tattoos?
Tattoos must not be visible in uniform; covering with plasters or heavy makeup is not accepted at assessment. Covered tattoos are not a problem; anything showing in uniform is.
What age do you need to be to apply to American Airlines?
The minimum is 20. There is no published upper limit at most carriers, and experienced applicants in their 30s and 40s are hired regularly.
Requirements change without notice — tattoo and grooming rules in particular have been relaxed at several airlines since 2022. Always confirm on American Airlines's official careers page before ruling yourself out.