FAQ Cabin Crew UK&I

a female crew member making a heart with her hands

Welcome to our Cabin Crew UK&I FAQ

Applying to become Cabin Crew can raise a lot of questions, from the application process and online assessments to training, contracts, and what to expect if you join the team.

To help you prepare, we’ve gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions about our Cabin Crew recruitment in the UK. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, our Candidate Experience Team will be happy to help.

General

Which bases are you recruiting for?

All of our available opportunities are listed on our careers website. If you can’t find a specific base listed, then it means that we’re not recruiting for that base or location.

How many bases can I apply for?

Please note that you may only apply for one base location, so we encourage you to select your preferred choice carefully.

If you submit applications for multiple bases, unfortunately, we will be unable to process your applications.

The same applies to our Cabin Crew Apprenticeship positions: you may only apply for one base. Additionally, if you apply for a Cabin Crew Apprenticeship role, you will only be considered for apprenticeship opportunities, not standard Cabin Crew positions.

I'm not UK or Irish citizen; can I still apply?

To be eligible to apply for a UK&I Cabin Crew position, you must have the right to live and work in the UK without any restrictions.

What type of contract is it?

All our Cabin Crew positions are seasonal and are initially offered on a 6/7-month fixed term basis.

What months will I work?

If successful, our Cabin Crew training courses are held from March onwards. Should you be successful and offered a position, you’ll be allocated to a training course based on recruitment and operational needs at the time, therefore you must be available from March until the end of October.

What if I'm unable to start in March?

Our Cabin Crew training courses are typically held in March through to May, depending on operational requirements. All courses are full time and run for approximately 4-6 weeks. The duration of your training course will be dependable on training requirements at the time. We’re unable to accommodate alternative start dates.

If your circumstances mean you’re unable to commit to a March start date, then we’d encourage you to apply for our next recruitment campaign. Please note in advance, we’re unable to keep applications on hold for future recruitment campaigns, please consider this before applying.

What happens if I have pre-booked holiday and holiday requests for the coming summer?

You’ll be joining us during the summer and as a holiday airline, this is our busiest time. We want to be open and transparent with all our applicants and unfortunately, we’re unable to guarantee any existing annual leave requests, regardless of duration.

During your first contract, annual leave will be allocated to you by our Crew Rostering Team.

Which routes will I be flying?

All new Cabin Crew will operate routes in our short-haul and mid-haul sectors. The routes you’ll operate will depend on the flying programme at the base you operate out of.

What email address will updates come from?

If you’ve applied for a role with us, then the majority of our emails will come from our Airline Recruitment Inbox. You will occassionally recieve emails from TUI People too, which is our Application Tracking System.

Please add the following email addresses to your email contacts: cabincrew.careers@tui.co.uk and no-reply@tuipeople.com to ensure these are visible in your inbox and not treated as spam.

Cabin Crew online assessments

How long do I have to wait for an update?

If you’re eligible to proceed with the role of Cabin Crew, you should receive an email within 24 hours after applying inviting you to access your candidate portal and complete the About You section followed by the online assessments. If you haven’t received this, please check your spam folders. After 24 hours, if you’ve still not received a link please contact cabincrew.careers@tui.co.uk.

I've been invited to complete an online assessment, what do I have to do?

You’ll be required to complete a Situational Judgement Test, Personality Questionnaire and Motivation Questionnaire. Details of what to do at each stage of the process will be provided in your invitation email and on your candidate portal. We strongly recommend you carefully read all instructions before proceeding to complete the online assessment.

I have a technical issue with my online assessment, who should I contact?

If you’re experiencing technical issues with your online assessments, you should firstly review our technical help page by clicking here

If you’re unable to resolve your issue, then please contact cabincrew.careers@tui.co.uk.

Who do I contact if I need assistance, or require any reasonable adjustments throughout the selection process?

If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments at any stage of the selection process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team as early as possible at cabincrew.careers@tui.co.uk.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will do our best to support your needs.

If I'm unsuccessful at any stage, when can I re-apply?

If you’re unsuccessful during the selection process, then we’re unable to accept further applications for the same base or other bases during the same recruitment campaign. Unsuccessful applicants must wait until the following year’s campaign to reapply.

If I'm unsuccessful at the online assessment will I receive any feedback?

Yes, all candidates regardless of the outcome of the online assessment will receive a feedback report. The feedback report will detail your strengths and development opportunities based on the answers you gave during the online assessment.

Cabin Crew assessment centre

Where will the assessment centre take place?

On successful completion of our online assessment, and after your application has been screened, you’ll be invited to attend a half day assessment centre. Our assessment centres will be held virtually, we'd reccoment using a PC or laptop device. However you can also join using a smartphone or ipad/tablet.

Full details on how to prepare will be provided ahead of the assessment centre.

How do I book my assessment centre?

If you’ve successfully completed the online tests, you’re now one step away from attending a TUI Cabin Crew assessment centre. Your application will now be screened by our admin team to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

If your application meets our criteria, you’ll be emailed a link to book yourself onto a TUI Cabin Crew assessment centre. Dates are limited and we would recommend that you book onto the earliest convenient date.

Please don’t worry if there are no dates available, this means that current assessment centres are fully booked. Please keep reviewing the website for further dates to be loaded.

For successful candidates, we take a staggered approach when inviting candidates to book their virtual assessment. We will keep you updated via email if your application is placed on hold, please monitor your inbox for any updates we send you.

I've been invited to attend a virtual assessment centre, what do I have to do?

Full details of what to do at the assessment centre will be provided in your invitation email.

What should I wear to my assessment centre?

You’ll be representing yourself virtually therefore we recommend that you bear in mind that our assessors and other candidates will also be in attendance during our virtual assessment centre's. Please consider this when preparing for the assessment centre.

I already have an attestation, what should I do?

Please keep your attestation safe, should this be required then we'll provide further information during the recruitment process.

Cabin Crew talent pool

What is a talent pool?

If you’re successful at one of our assessment centres, you’ll be placed into our Cabin Crew Talent Pool. Reaching this stage means your skills and behaviours have matched our selection criteria and you’ve shown real passion for the role of Cabin Crew – you’re now only one step away from joining the TUI Team. Please note that being placed into the Talent Pool is not a guarantee of an offer of employment.

You’ll remain in our Cabin Crew Talent Pool whilst we finalise our airport base requirements; our offers are made in line with business needs which means that some bases and candidates may receive offers before others.

We’ll keep in touch when you reach this stage.

What happens if I don't receive an offer?

We want to be open, honest and transparent about our offer process. On occasion our base requirements do change, which may result in you not receiving an offer. If you don’t receive an offer for this season, you would be required to reapply when we launch our next Cabin Crew Recruitment Campaign.

If I'm successful in securing a position, what do I need to do?

Once you’ve been offered a start date, we’ll put you in touch with our Referencing Team who’ll make sure you complete all the relevant documents and are ready to start with us. During this time, we’ll carry out a full five-year reference check.

We’ll also ask you to obtain a valid UK Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Check Certificate, a valid Cabin Crew Medical Report carried out by an approved Aeromedical Examiner, and any Overseas Criminal Record Check (CRC) Certificates that you require. We will instruct you when to obtain these certificates so please wait for further instructions from us. Please note that candidates are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of these checks themselves.

Applicants that have been overseas for six continuous months or more in the last five years will be required to obtain an Overseas Criminal Record Check (CRC) Certificate from each of the relevant countries.

When completing your five-year referencing history, it’s essential that your employment start dates, and employment end dates are correct. To ensure that you have up to date and accurate referencing information you’ll be required to obtain a copy of your five-year referencing history from HRMC.

Full information will be provided should you be successful in receiving an offer.

What should I expect during the cabin crew training course?

Our Cabin Crew training courses are full time and run for approximately 4-6 weeks. During the course you will learn about health and safety, where there will be both practical and theory elements, along with regular exams that need to be passed to a high standard. There will be early starts, late finishes and you will be required to study in your spare time. During the Cabin Crew training course its important that you uphold uniform standards, time keeping and general organisation.

What are TUI's uniform regulations?

We encourage our Cabin Crew colleagues to be themselves, as they are at the heart of our brand. We have a gender neutral uniform policy, where we offer flexibility, and encourage a diverse and inclusive culture.

Full details of our TUI Cabin Crew uniform poilcy will be shared during the training course, but if you have any specific questions, please contact us: cabincrew.careers@tui.co.uk

What is TUI's tattoo policy?

Cabin Crew colleagues are welcome to have visible tattoos, however if they are on the neck or face, they will need to be covered. This is also the case if your tattoo could be deemed offensive in any way. In this case, camouflage make-up or plasters can be used.

FAQ for Apprentices

Can I apply for both a regular Cabin Crew position and a Cabin Crew Apprenticeship position?

We kindly ask that you apply for one position only – either the Cabin Crew role or the Cabin Crew Apprenticeship, as well as your preferred base location.

Please note that we are unable to accept multiple applications across different roles (including both apprenticeship and regular positions). Once you have submitted your application, it cannot be transferred to another role or location.

What is the duration of the Cabin Crew Apprenticeship position?

It is a 9-month fixed-term apprenticeship. Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard, equivalent to two A Levels.

The link to the apprenticeship standard for review is https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0558-v1-1

What other requirements do I need to start the apprenticeship?

To be eligible to apply for a Cabin Crew Apprenticeship position, there are certain requirements that you must meet.

• Age: 18 years of age or over by the first day of your training course

• Reach: Able to reach a height of 6ft.2” or 1.89 m, bare feet flat on the floor

• Fit to operate: Able to perform all regulatory duties including being able to sit and fully fasten an aircraft over-shoulder jump seat harness

• Swimming: Able to swim at least 25 meters

• Testing for Psychoactive Substances (Drug & Alcohol): Willing to undertake Psychoactive Testing and a Cabin Crew Medical throughout employment

• Education: You can understand, speak and write good English equivalent to CEFR B2 or ILR L3

• Reporting for duty: Able to work shifts across a 24/7 flight programme and be able to report in uniform at base in 90 minutes.

• Passport & Visa: Must hold a valid UK or Irish passport with 6 months validity and any necessary visas for travel.

• Background checks: Successful candidates will be required to undergo background security checks, where positive results are required and provide proof of required vaccinations in accordance with company and regulatory guidelines.

• Medical: Obtain a cabin crew Medical Report carried out by an approved Aeromedical Examiner, at your own cost before your training commences.

• Right to Work: Have the Right to Work in the UK

• UK Residency: Have lived in the UK or the EEA continuously since March 2023.

• Uniform Guidelines: You’ll be required to follow local uniform guidelines.

• Training: You’ll complete an intensive training course of approx. 4-6 weeks. Passing this course is a requirement prior to starting in role, you’ll be required to pass a combination of practical and theory exams.

• Able to obtain a full and valid Airside ID to be able to operate as Cabin Crew; For this you will need to obtain the following at your own cost:

1. UK Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Check or Garda Vetting Check (GVC) if applying for Dublin

2. Cabin Crew Medical Report carried out by an approved Aeromedical Examiner

3. Any Overseas Criminal Record Check’s

Will I receive a salary during the Cabin Crew Apprenticeship?

Yes, Cabin Crew Apprentices are paid a salary. Cabin Crew Apprentices will also be eligible for flight duty allowance and commission on top of their standard salary once they are operating flights.

What training will I receive?

You’ll receive:

• Safety and emergency procedures training.

• Customer service and hospitality training.

• First aid and aviation security modules.

• Practical experience on simulated flights and eventually real flights.

• Apprenticeship training of at least 278 hours – please refer to the apprenticeship standard

Do I get to fly during the apprenticeship?

Yes, after successfully completing initial training and assessments, apprentices will be part of the Cabin Crew team and will participate in live flights.

Is there a uniform provided?

Yes, TUI provide a standard uniform which must be worn according to grooming and presentation guidelines.

What happens after I complete the apprenticeship programme?

You will receive a Level 3 Cabin Crew qualification, which is recognised across the industry. You will then have the opportunity to apply to work as Cabin Crew with us again.

What are the working hours like?

Cabin Crew work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and public holidays which means flexibility is essential. You must be able to work shifts across a 24/7 flight programme and be able to report, in uniform, at the base in 90 minutes.

Do I need to relocate for the apprenticeship?

You must be able to report to your base, in uniform, within 90 minutes.

Am I required to have a medical and security check prior to the apprenticeship?

All new recruits are required to obtain a CAA Cabin Crew medical certificate, a Criminal Record check, and a DBS check. Once candidates have been successfully placed into our Cabin Crew talent pool, we will provide detailed guidance on how to obtain these. Please note that candidates are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of these checks themselves.

Will I be able to work alongside training?

The training is full-time, and you will be expected to study outside of scheduled flying hours. In addition, 300 hours of your time will be dedicated to training, which is a mandatory part of the apprenticeship programme.

When will the apprenticeship start?

The apprenticeship will start around March 2027 and will end in November 2027. Please note this is a fixed term contract and apprentices are not guaranteed a role after they complete the apprenticeship.

What is the recruitment and selection process?

Online application form

• About you questions

• Personality and motivation questionnaires and Situation Judgement Test (SJT)

• Document Upload

• Virtual assessment centre (group exercise and interview)

Do I need previous experience in aviation?

No prior experience is necessary. The apprenticeship is designed to train individuals from the ground up.

I have a similar qualification. Can I apply?

As long as you have not obtained a level 3 in Cabin Crew you are eligible to apply for this apprenticeship. However, if you have completed TUI’s Cabin Crew training previously you will not be eligible to apply.

Can I apply for the Cabin Crew Apprenticeship role if I have already started or completed Cabin Crew training?

No, this apprenticeship is designed for entry level candidates and if you have any form of Cabin Crew training your application will be ineligible and will be taken out of process and auto rejected.

If I am already a TUI employee, can I apply for the Cabin Crew Apprenticeship?

All TUI colleagues must apply via the Internal Secondment process.

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Please check the AOC or country you applied for, for detailed requirements and role-specific information. If you didn't find what your are looking for, you can always contact us.

Our TUI Airline markets

Want to explore other TUI Airline markets? Return to the overview to see Cabin Crew opportunities and FAQs for all countries.

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Contact us

Still have questions? Visit our contact page to get in touch with our recruitment team for further support.