To help you stay on track, here is a quick breakdown of the physical attributes you need. At Starsteps, we integrate these standards into our training to ensure you are recruitment-ready from day one.
1. Vital Physical Dimensions
- The Reach Test: You must be able to reach a height of 212 cm (usually on tiptoes) to ensure you can operate emergency equipment. For more tips on mastering this, visit our YouTube channel.
- Proportionate BMI: Airlines look for a Body Mass Index (BMI) typically between 18 and 25. This ensures you have the agility to move through narrow aisles during turbulence.
- Height Standards: * Females: Minimum 155 cm – 157 cm.
- Males: Minimum 170 cm – 173 cm.
2. Health and Sensory Fitness
- Vision: You need 6/6 or 6/9 vision (corrected with contacts or glasses is usually fine).
- Swimming Ability: Most international carriers require you to swim 50 meters unaided. We often share fitness milestones of our students on Instagram.
- Hearing & Respiratory Health: Excellent hearing is vital for safety announcements, and your lungs must be healthy to handle pressurized cabin environments.

3. Aesthetics and Presentation
- No Visible Tattoos: Tattoos must not be visible while wearing the airline uniform (short sleeves/skirts).
- Clear Skin & Dental Hygiene: A clear complexion and a healthy, “neat” smile are essential for brand representation. Check our Facebook for grooming workshop photos.
- Stamina: You must be capable of standing for 12+ hours and lifting weight (up to 20kg) to assist with passenger luggage.
Preparation is Key
At Starsteps, we provide specialized medical guidance and grooming sessions to help you meet these criteria. For professional networking and to see which airlines are currently hiring, connect with our alumni on LinkedIn.