Paragraph by paragraph
I am applying to join Virgin Atlantic as a Cabin Service Supervisor. I have been cabin crew since 2019, first with easyJet across Europe and since March 2022 with British Airways on long haul, where I am now Senior Cabin Crew.
The role and two airlines
She names the role and gives her career in one sentence, from short haul to long haul. A recruiter sees the progression straight away.
On the Boeing 777 and the A380 I lead a cabin team of up to 12 crew, mostly in the premium cabins, on routes to more than 30 destinations. Our passenger satisfaction score is 96%, and most of the comments that lift it are about small things, like remembering how someone takes their coffee on a 13 hour flight.
Leading a cabin, and the service
Aircraft types, team size and routes give the scale. The coffee detail makes the 96% feel real.
I keep my safety and emergency procedures training current every year, along with advanced first aid and crew resource management. I have dealt with medical emergencies, disruptive passengers and security incidents, and in each one my first step is to give the crew around me a clear, calm job.
Safety, and how she leads in it
Training is stated as current. The incident sentence lists types and her approach, and nothing that identifies anyone.
At easyJet I worked more than 800 flights across Europe and had the highest onboard sales in my base, averaging more than £450 per return sector, mostly by chatting to passengers as I went down the aisle.
Short haul, used well
Sales are part of short haul crew work, and being top of her base is a measurable result. The reason she gives is plain and believable.
I speak Greek fluently and some French, I hold a valid cabin crew attestation, and I live near Heathrow. I can attend an assessment day at short notice.
Languages and practical details
Languages matter on international routes. The attestation, where she lives and her availability for an assessment day answer the practical questions.
Your attestation and training
In the UK, anyone working as cabin crew in commercial air transport must hold a valid Cabin Crew Attestation, and crew complete recurrent training and checking every 12 calendar months. A recruiter will check both.
- Attestation: say you hold one and that it is valid. If you trained abroad, give the country that issued it.
- Recurrent training: safety and emergency procedures, first aid and crew resource management, stated as current.
- Aircraft types: the types you are current on, such as the A320 family, the 777 or the A380.
- Extra training: premium service, senior crew or medical courses, with the year.
For the airline’s online application
Airlines recruit through online applications with short answer boxes, often followed by a video interview and an assessment day. This version fits a typical box.
Premium service, described in detail
"Passionate about customer service" appears in a great many cabin crew applications. A detail from a real flight is more memorable and easier to believe.
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| Excellent customer service skills | A small thing you do for passengers, such as remembering preferences on a long flight. |
| High passenger satisfaction | The score, and what passengers mention in their comments. |
| Strong sales ability | Your average per sector and where you ranked in your base. |
| Team player | The size of the team you lead or how you brief crew before a flight. |
Other cabin crew applications and how they open
Your first cabin crew job
Show customer service under pressure, languages and how you handle shifts and travel.
I have worked the front desk of a busy hotel near Gatwick for two years, often through the night, and I speak English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Short haul to long haul
Show the service skills that will carry over and your interest in premium cabins.
After three years on short haul, including many four sector days, I am ready for long haul and the more detailed service it involves.
Private or business aviation
Show discretion, attention to detail and experience with high profile passengers, described generally.
I have looked after first class passengers on long haul for two years, and business aviation, where every flight is planned around one client, is where I want to go next.
Cabin crew trainer
Show the crew you have trained or coached and any instructor qualifications.
As senior crew I brief and coach new crew on most of my flights, and I want training to be my full time job.
Moving to a ground role
Show the skills that carry over, such as calm under pressure and dealing with complaints.
After seven years flying, I am applying for your customer relations team, where I can use what I have learned about calming people down in a confined space.
Mentioning incidents without saying too much
Every experienced crew member has dealt with medical emergencies and difficult passengers. Mention them, because they show you are ready to supervise, but keep them general.
- Give the types of incident and your role, such as leading the cabin or assisting a doctor on board.
- Leave out passengers' details, flight numbers and dates.
- Never describe security procedures, even in general terms. Saying you have handled security incidents is enough.
Five mistakes in cabin crew cover letters
"Passionate about travel"
Loving travel says nothing about how you look after passengers.
Describe something you do on board.
Leaving out your attestation
It is the legal qualification for the job, and recruiters look for it.
Say you hold a valid cabin crew attestation.
Dramatic incident stories
Details about passengers and security breach confidentiality and worry recruiters.
Name the types of incident and your role only.
Leaving out the numbers
Flights, team size, satisfaction scores and sales are easy to give.
Add two or three of them.
Ignoring the airline
Each airline has its own style of service, and recruiters notice a generic letter.
Show you know what the role at that airline involves.
Length, tone and the application process
- Length: one page. Sophia's letter is about 220 words.
- Tone: warm and calm, the way you would speak to a passenger.
- Process: most airlines use an online form, then a video interview and an assessment day, so the letter often goes in a short answer box.
- Photos: only if the application asks for them.
The main points from this page
- 1Say you hold a valid cabin crew attestation and that your training is current.
- 2Give one small service detail instead of adjectives.
- 3Mention incidents by type and your role only.
- 4Give numbers: flights, team size, scores and sales.
- 5Show what you know about the airline’s role.
Frequently asked questions
What should a flight attendant cover letter include?
The role and airline, your flying history and aircraft types, the team you lead, a service detail, your safety training, languages, your attestation and your availability.
What is a cabin crew attestation?
The qualification anyone working as cabin crew in UK commercial air transport must hold. Recurrent training and checking keep you current every 12 calendar months.
Should I describe a medical emergency I handled?
Mention the type of incident and your role, but leave out any details about the passenger, the flight or security procedures.
How do I show leadership as senior cabin crew?
Give the size of the team you lead, the aircraft types and how you brief and support crew, especially when something goes wrong.
How long should a cabin crew cover letter be?
One page, about 200 to 250 words. Many airlines ask for shorter answers in their online form.