Patricia Green from Simple Flying – Reports

A deep dive into the private jet life. Private jet flight attendants have a range of responsibilities, including greeting passengers, serving meals, and ensuring passenger safety. They may also be responsible for tasks such as planning flight itineraries, arranging ground transportation, and providing VIP services.

Working on a private jet can be rewarding, with opportunities for travel and meeting interesting people, but it also requires long hours and professionalism.

Working on a private jet can entail a variety of tasks, depending on the size of the jet and the specific needs of the passengers. On smaller aircraft, you may work alone or ‘fly solo,’ while on larger types, there may be four or five crew members.

Regular tasks
Some of the common duties of a private jet flight attendant include:

• Greeting passengers and providing them with refreshments and snacks
• Preparing and serving meals
• Making sure that the cabin is clean and comfortable
• Attending to the needs of passengers during the flight, such as providing pillows, blankets, or reading material or setting up the entertainment system
• Ensuring the safety of passengers in the event of an emergency

In addition to these duties, private jet flight attendants may also be responsible for other tasks, such as:

• Planning and coordinating the flight itinerary
• Arranging ground transportation for passengers
• Handling luggage and other cargo
• Providing VIP services, such as catering to the specific needs of celebrities or high-profile executives
• Sourcing specific items for the aircraft or the passenger
• Shopping for the aircraft pantry
• Planning menus and ordering catering

The requirements
The qualifications required for working on a private jet vary depending on the specific job. There can be restrictions on age, nationality, languages required, and the experience level of the flight attendant. However, most employers look for candidates with the following:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• A valid passport
• Visas may be requested for places like the US, India, and China
• Experience in the hospitality industry
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• High level of personal presentation
• Excellent time management
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• The ability to speak multiple languages
• Cabin crew training and experience

There are certain soft skills that a private jet flight attendant also needs to have:

• Know when to be invisible
• Follow protocol and confidentiality rules
• Be situationally aware
• Be culturally aware
• Have emotional intelligence
• Be discreet

The rewards
Working on a private jet can be a very rewarding career. It offers the opportunity to travel the world, meet interesting people, and provide excellent customer service. However, it is also a demanding job that requires long hours and a high level of professionalism. Whilst you are on duty, your life is not your own!

Here are some of the pros and cons of working on a private jet:

Pros

• Travel the world and often unusual destinations
• Meet interesting people from all walks of life
• Provide excellent customer service
• Higher salary than commercial cabin crew plus per diem
• Flexible hours
• 4 or 5-star hotels whilst away
• Rotational roster with a set number of days on/days off
• No security screenings
• No baggage restrictions

Cons

• Long hours
• Demanding job
• Can be lonely
• No airline perks
• Training costs are often covered by the flight attendant

If you are considering a career as a private jet flight attendant, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. It is a challenging but rewarding job that can offer you a unique opportunity to see the world and meet interesting people.