India's First IATA Classic Authorised Training CentreKochi & Calicut, Kerala
Careers
Aviation offers work in the air and on the ground. This guide explains the main roles, what they ask of you, and the course that leads towards each one.
Overview
Cabin crew and air hostess roles are based on board the aircraft. The focus is passenger safety and service, and the lifestyle involves shifts, travel and time away from home.
Cabin crewGround staff and airport operations roles are based at the terminal. The focus is passenger handling, customer service, security and coordination, usually from a fixed base.
Ground staffTravel and tourism, and aviation management, are covered by the IATA Travel & Tourism and BBA Aviation courses.
Roles
These are roles our courses prepare you to apply for. Hiring decisions and pay are set by each employer.
Cabin crew are responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers on board. The work covers pre-flight checks, safety demonstrations, in-flight service and responding calmly when something unexpected happens.
Air hostess is the everyday name for a female member of the cabin crew. The role, training and selection process are the same as for cabin crew: welcoming passengers, looking after them through the flight and following the airline's safety procedures.
Ground staff look after passengers before and after they fly. Typical work includes check-in, boarding gates, baggage queries and customer service desks, for an airline or a ground handling company.
Airport operations roles keep the terminal running: coordinating between airlines, handling agents and airport services, and supporting security and customer service functions.
Find your role
In the air or on the ground, every role starts with the right training.
Eligibility
What you need depends on the role and, for flying roles, on the airline.
IATA Cabin Crew Training and BBA Aviation are open to students who have completed Class 12. Requirements for other courses are confirmed at enquiry.
For IATA Cabin Crew Training the age limit is below 24 and the minimum height for women is 155 cm. Height, medical and vision requirements depend on the airline. We do not give medical advice; our counsellors explain the current requirements.
Every customer-facing role needs clear spoken English. Language and communication training is part of our programmes.
Awaiting confirmation from Neerja: the minimum height for male candidates and any BMI limit. Medical and vision criteria are stated as "as per airline requirement", as management instructed.
Cabin crew eligibility guide Check your eligibility with a counsellor
Interview preparation
Airline and airport recruitment usually involves several rounds. At Neerja, students practise in front of a panel before they meet a recruiter.
Beyond India
Aviation careers can take you across India and the Gulf.
Kerala to the Gulf
Many students from Kerala look to Gulf carriers and airports as well as jobs in India. It is a realistic goal, and one that rewards preparation.
The same foundations apply everywhere: safety knowledge, service skills, grooming and confident English. Many people build experience with an Indian airline or airport first.
Gulf airlines publish their own requirements and run their own selection days. Always check the airline's official careers page; we do not advise on visas or immigration.
Our record includes cabin crew placements with Air Arabia and Etihad. See the placement record
Awaiting confirmation from Neerja: a full Kerala-to-Gulf guide: the Gulf employers Neerja students have joined, year by year, and how the application route works for each.
Questions
Cannot find what you need? Our counsellors are happy to help.
Talk to a CounsellorThey are the same job. Air hostess is the common name for a female cabin crew member; airlines use the term cabin crew for everyone in the role.
IATA Cabin Crew Training is the one-year programme for in-flight roles.
IATA Airport Operations is the one-year programme for ground and terminal roles.
Airlines set their own age, height and medical standards, and these differ from airline to airline. Our counsellors will go through the current requirements with you. See also the cabin crew eligibility guide.
No. Neerja provides placement assistance, including interview preparation and mock interviews, but employment is decided by each employer and is not guaranteed.
Pay depends on the airline, the base and your experience. See our salary overview for the published guides.
Get started
Tell us the role you are aiming for and we will explain the route, the requirements and the right course.
