Job Discussion Forums

[Gold Rush]

Travelling expat wants airline flight attendant job in EAsia

What are the chances of an expat (from Canada),who speaks basic Mandarin landing a flight attendant job with one of the Asian airlines?

By working as a flight attendant, I'm interested in enhancing my Mandarin as well as picking up a few travel perks along the way.

I want to see more Asian destinations through my job (with a few days time off here and there to explore each destination).

Is there anyone here who has worked for an Asian airline?

[markholmes]

Having worked for British Airways for 12 years I think I can say your chances of getting a job in Asia are almost zero unless you are a pilot or have worked for an airline in your home country for a significant period.
'Basic' mandarin would not cut it.

The only exception to this is some of the Arab Gulf airlines like Gulf Air, Emirates and maybe a couple of others (Qatar?).

The best way to land a job as a flight attendant is to apply through a company in your home country and hope they put you on longhaul. Even then it is not the job it used to be. The hours are long, the stops short and the pay is getting worse.

If you want to apply, only apply for major airlines, not small charter airlines. The perks are better and I think if you have worked for a charter airline a lot of the larger more professional carriers won't take you.

Sorry to be negative.