Cabin Crew Open Day: From Application to Final Interview
You have found a Cabin Crew vacancy, submitted your application and received an invitation to an Open Day or Assessment Day. What happens next?
Cabin Crew recruitment can involve several stages, and every airline follows its own selection process. However, understanding what recruiters may evaluate — and preparing properly — can make the experience far less stressful.
Here is what you should know before attending a Cabin Crew Open Day or Assessment Day.
What is a Cabin Crew Open Day?
A Cabin Crew Open Day is a recruitment event organised by an airline to meet and evaluate potential Cabin Crew candidates.
Some Open Days allow candidates to attend directly, while others require an online application and invitation beforehand.
Depending on the airline, the recruitment process may take place in one day or progress through several stages.
Before the Open Day: Your Application
Your assessment can effectively begin before you enter the recruitment room.
Your online application, CV and photographs create the recruiter’s first impression of you.
Before applying, make sure that:
- Your CV is clear, professional and up to date
- Your contact information is correct
- Your English is accurate
- Your employment and education history is presented clearly
- Your photograph follows the airline’s requirements
- You have carefully checked the airline’s minimum recruitment criteria
A generic CV used for every type of job is not always the strongest approach for Cabin Crew recruitment.
First Impressions Matter
Cabin Crew is a customer-facing safety role, so professional presentation is important.
Recruiters may observe your behaviour from the moment you arrive — not only during the formal interview.
Your grooming, posture, communication, attitude towards other candidates and interaction with recruiters can all contribute to the overall impression you create.
The objective is not to look artificial or rehearsed. It is to present yourself as professional, approachable and confident.
Document and Requirement Checks
Depending on the airline, the first stage may include verification of documents and basic recruitment requirements.
This can include:
- Passport or identification
- Right-to-work documentation
- Education certificates
- Language requirements
- Cabin Crew Attestation, where applicable
- Reach or height-related checks
- Other airline-specific requirements
Requirements differ between airlines, so candidates should always check the official vacancy announcement before attending.
English Assessment
English is widely used throughout international aviation, and many airlines assess a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English.
The assessment may involve written exercises, conversation, comprehension or communication tasks.
Recruiters are generally interested in whether you can understand instructions and communicate clearly and confidently, rather than whether you speak with a particular accent.
Group Exercises
One of the most misunderstood parts of a Cabin Crew Assessment Day is the group exercise.
You may be given a scenario or problem to discuss with other candidates while recruiters observe the group.
The goal is usually not simply to find the person who speaks the most.
Recruiters may observe:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Listening skills
- Problem solving
- Respect for other candidates
- Ability to contribute without dominating
- Professional behaviour under pressure
Cabin Crew work as a team. Showing that you can cooperate effectively can therefore be more valuable than trying to control the entire discussion.
Role-Play and Customer-Service Scenarios
Some airlines may use role-play exercises or hypothetical passenger situations.
For example, you may need to respond to an unhappy passenger, resolve a seating issue or explain how you would approach a difficult customer-service situation.
Recruiters may be looking at your ability to remain calm, communicate professionally, show empathy and find a practical solution.
The Final Interview
Reaching the Final Interview is an important stage, but preparation still matters.
You may be asked questions about:
- Your motivation for becoming Cabin Crew
- Why you want to work for that particular airline
- Your previous work or education
- Customer-service experiences
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Working under pressure
- Safety awareness
- Relocation and lifestyle flexibility
Recruiters may also ask competency-based questions requiring examples from your previous experience.
Do Not Memorise Perfect Answers
One common mistake is memorising generic interview answers found online.
Recruiters speak to many candidates. Answers that sound excessively rehearsed can make it difficult for your real personality and experience to come through.
Preparation should help you understand the question, organise your thoughts and communicate your own experience clearly.
Research the Airline Before the Interview
Before attending an Open Day or Final Interview, research the airline itself.
You should understand basic information such as:
- Where the airline is based
- Its network and destinations
- Its type of operation
- Its brand and customer-service philosophy
- The Cabin Crew role being advertised
- The base for which you are applying
“I want to travel” is rarely enough to explain why you specifically want to work for a particular airline.
What Happens if I Don’t Pass?
Not passing an airline assessment does not necessarily mean that Cabin Crew is the wrong career for you.
Competition can be high, airlines have different recruitment profiles, and performance can improve significantly with experience and preparation.
Use the experience to identify areas that can be improved before your next application.
Professional Cabin Crew Interview Preparation
Airline Services Training (AST) provides dedicated Cabin Crew Interview Preparation for candidates preparing for airline recruitment.
The programme includes preparation in areas such as:
- Professional Cabin Crew CV
- Application photographs
- Grooming and professional presentation
- Open Day preparation
- Assessment exercises
- Video interviews
- Final Interview preparation
- Typical airline recruitment questions
AST has been involved in aviation training since 1970, combining professional education with continued career guidance for students and graduates.
👉 Learn more about AST Cabin Crew Interview Preparation
From Training to Airline Recruitment
Technical knowledge is only one part of becoming Cabin Crew.
Successful candidates also need to demonstrate communication, teamwork, professionalism and the ability to perform effectively throughout an airline’s recruitment process.
If you are currently preparing for your first Cabin Crew application, Open Day or Final Interview, structured preparation can help you approach every stage with greater confidence and understanding.