The Ryanair cabin crew interview happens in a single day. Company presentation, written English test, then a face-to-face interview. Tattoos are allowed as long as the uniform covers them. Most candidates hear back within two to four weeks.
I know because I sat in that room. We were about twenty that morning, and after the English test, fewer than half of us were still there. I know because I went through it six times. Ryanair turned me down five times before they hired me, and I was 40 when I got the job. That is more normal than it sounds.
Whatever people say about Ryanair as an airline, it is one of the most demanding companies in Europe when it comes to choosing its crew.
This guide is what nobody told me before the first one.
The Ryanair Selection Process
Speaking English and being enthusiastic aren’t enough. You’ll face written tests, behavioural questions, physical requirements verification, and an attitude assessment that starts the moment you walk through the door. Some bases also use online tests and video interviews before the assessment day.
Assessment days are usually held at an airport hotel, and in the UK, for example, most of them take place near Stansted, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Here’s what awaits you, phase by phase:
Phase 1 - Company Presentation
The day begins with recruiters presenting the company, contractual conditions, the low-cost philosophy, and expectations for new cabin crew. They’ll discuss numbers, conditions, and operational realities.
You’ll never know, but recruiters are already observing your body language, how you interact with other candidates, and whether you ask intelligent questions. The selection has already started before you enter the exam room.
Your objective is to:
- Listen actively (take notes!)
- Show genuine interest with head nods, a slight smile, and eye contact
- Confirm to yourself whether this environment is right for you
Phase 2: The English Test
After the presentation comes the written English test, which is not a Cambridge exam, but it’s not a walk in the park either. This mandatory written exam ensures you have the linguistic fluency necessary to communicate safely and professionally with passengers and international crew.
1. Grammar & Comprehension
What to expect: You’ll receive multiple-choice questions covering verb tenses, prepositions, and everyday vocabulary, including basic aviation terminology.
Level required: Solid B2 level. You don’t need to be a native speaker, but fluency and confidence are fundamental. Practice basic technical English to arrive prepared.
2. Short Written Text
The Ryanair English test has two parts — a multiple-choice section on grammar and comprehension, and a short written text of 100 to 150 words. You need a solid B2 level, not a Cambridge certificate.
The written part
Once you are taken into a room with all your colleagues for the day, you will be asked to write a short text of around 100 to 150 words. It should describe a real situation you might encounter on board and how you would handle it. It is not a grammar exercise, it is a test of whether you can be clear under a bit of pressure.
Mine was about food. They asked me to explain how I would present the menu to a passenger who was looking for a sandwich. I wrote that I would show the passenger the whole menu first and then steer them towards the Menu Deals, because that is what you do on board — you answer the question they asked and then you sell. I did not know it at the time, but that second half was probably the part they were reading.
Don’t lose yourself
I notice that my students lose marks in the same three places. They write sentences that run on until the meaning disappears, they slip into slang because they are writing quickly, and they hand the paper in without reading it back. Short sentences and two minutes of proofreading will put you ahead of half the room.
What works is a simple order. State the problem, explain why it matters to the passenger, offer a concrete solution, and maintain a warm, professional tone throughout. Clarity beats vocabulary here. Nobody is counting how many long words you know. And focus — you will have less time than you think.
Phase 3. The group exercise — only at some assessment days
Not every Ryanair assessment day includes a group exercise, but some do. Ryanair recruits through partners such as Crewlink and Cabin Crew International, and the format can change from one event to the next.
The only reliable guide is your invitation email, which tells you exactly what the day includes. Read it twice.
Because it is rare, most candidates arrive at the Assessment Day with no idea how a group exercise works, and that is exactly where they lose marks. If your invitation mentions one, read how to prepare for a cabin crew group interview beforehand.
Phase 4. Individual Interview Questions and What Recruiters Are Looking For
After passing the written test, you’re called for the individual interview. This can be one-on-one or in small groups, depending on the recruiter. Here, they evaluate not just what you say, but how you say it.
Ryanair Interview Questions
1. "Why do you want to work for Ryanair?"
What the recruiter is really asking: “Have you done your homework? Do you know what you’re getting into? Are you motivated or just looking for any job?”
Wrong answer: “Because I love traveling and want to see the world.”
Right answer:
“Ryanair is Europe’s leading low-cost airline, with a constantly expanding fleet and an efficient operational model that I admire. I know the environment is dynamic and requires flexibility, but that’s exactly the challenge I’m looking for. I want to grow in a company that rewards performance and teamwork.”
2. "What are your main qualities for this role?"
Recruiters look for qualities like teamwork, resilience, problem-solving, customer orientation, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. The latter is significant.
Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result):
Example:
“My strength is managing pressure in fast-paced environments. When I worked as [reference your previous role], we once had an emergency with a very agitated customer during a peak period. I stayed calm, listened to their concerns, and found a solution that satisfied them, preventing the situation from escalating. The result? The customer left a positive review on the company website.”
3. "How would you handle a difficult or angry passenger?"
The hidden test: Measuring your empathy, de-escalation skills, and professionalism under stress.
The winning formula that worked for me was:
- Active listening: “First, I would carefully listen to their concerns.”
- Empathy: “I would acknowledge their frustration.”
- Solution: “I would seek a solution within company policy limits.”
- Escalation if necessary: “If I couldn’t resolve it, I would involve the senior cabin crew.”
- Safety always first: “If the situation threatened safety, I would immediately follow protocols.”
The other questions you are likely to hear:
What are your main qualities for this role? They want one quality backed by a real story, not a list of adjectives.
Do you have experience in multicultural contexts? You will fly with colleagues from twenty nationalities, and they want to know you will cope.
What are your main qualities for this role? They want one quality backed by a real story, not a list of adjectives.
How would you react in an emergency? They are checking that you see yourself as safety crew first and service crew second.
Where do you see yourself in five years? The wrong answer is a pilot. They want someone who plans to stay.
Do you have any questions for us? Never say no. Ask which company in the group will employ you and on what contract. I always tell the candidates I coach to have at least two questions ready about the role itself, because asking shows interest and motivation far better than saying you have them.
Three selection stages, one book for each
Video interview, group interview with role play, and final interview. Real questions, sample answers, and the mistakes that quietly end an application.
See the booksWant a plan built around your own application? Discover the coaching
Ryanair Tattoo Policy and Grooming Standards
Short answer — tattoos are allowed at Ryanair as long as the uniform covers them. Usually, hands, fingers, neck, and face are the problem areas.
| Body area | Allowed | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Upper arm, forearm | Yes | Covered by the long-sleeved shirt |
| Wrist | Yes | Covered by the long-sleeved shirt |
| Legs, thighs | Yes | Above the skirt line, or covered by trousers |
| Back, chest | Yes | Not visible above a closed collar |
| Neck, throat | No | Cannot be covered by the uniform |
| Hands, fingers | No | Cannot be covered by the uniform |
| Face | No | Cannot be covered by the uniform |
My experience — I was hired with a wrist tattoo —a kind of bracelet. They gave me a long-sleeved shirt, and that was the end of it. Nobody asked me to remove it, cover it with makeup, or explain it. If yours sits anywhere the uniform reaches, be sure that it won’t cost you the job.
Piercings
A lot of my students email me about this one. The rule is one pair of small, discreet earrings, one per ear. No nose, eyebrow, tongue, or other visible facial piercings. This applies on the assessment day as much as on board.
Grooming on the day
Hair tied back and off the collar, clean nails, discreet makeup, no strong perfume. Recruiters are checking whether you already look like crew, not whether you own an expensive suit.
Mandatory Ryanair Physical Requirements
For becoming a flight attendant, physical requirements are essential for onboard safety and daily operations.
Height Requirements And Why They're So Specific
Minimum height for women – 157 centimeters (5’2”). This standard ensures you can safely reach the upper compartments of the Boeing 737 aircraft. During an emergency, you must be able to access safety equipment stored in overhead bins quickly.
Minimum height for men – 165 centimeters (5’5”). The justification is identical. It guarantees autonomous, safe access to all storage compartments and to emergency equipment positioned high up.
Maximum height – approximately 188 centimeters (6’2”). Exceeding this height creates significant ergonomic problems. The Boeing 737 cabin has restricted spaces and relatively low ceilings. Excessive height would make the rapid movements required during safety procedures and passenger service difficult.
Age Requirements for Ryanair Flight Attendants
Minimum age: 18 years completed
This is a mandatory legal and contractual requirement in all European countries where Ryanair operates. Under 18, it’s not possible to sign employment contracts of this type.
Maximum age: There’s absolutely no age limit. Look, I became a flight attendant at 40!
This is the news many need to hear – there is no maximum age limit at Ryanair. I personally know colleagues who joined at 42, 48, and even 52. What matters are physical fitness, attitude, and motivation, not the birth date on your passport.
Swimming Ability
You must be able to swim at least 25 meters. It sounds like a strange thing to check for a job on a plane, until you remember that almost every Ryanair route crosses water. The Mediterranean, the Irish Sea, the Channel, the Baltic. A ditching is very rare these days, but if it happens, the passengers in the water will be looking at you.
Nobody expects you to be an Olympic swimmer, and I know many people are afraid of this test. You really should not be. If you can swim 25 meters and tow another person, usually a colleague, towards the life raft at the end of the pool, you are fine. I was living in Cagliari, Sardinia, at the time, where there is water everywhere, and I still decided to take swimming lessons at the city pool to be fully prepared. I have never regretted it.
Why Ryanair asks you to swim 25 meters
What they need is someone who does not panic in the water, because a crew member who panics cannot help anyone else. During training, you will practice ditching drills in a pool while fully dressed, using a life jacket and a life raft. It is one of those days people remember, and it is much easier if you are already comfortable in the water.
If you cannot swim yet, you have time. Twenty-five metres is one pool length, and a few weeks of lessons before your assessment day are enough to get there.
General Physical Fitness
Good general health and physical endurance
There are no specific weight or body mass index requirements, but you must be able to:
- Stand for 6-8 hours consecutively
- Lift and move hand luggage up to 10 kg (22 lbs) repeatedly
- Move quickly in narrow and crowded spaces
- Handle emergencies with agility and promptness
- Work irregular shifts (including night flights) while maintaining alertness
The key is a good physical condition — your body must sustain the daily operational demands of airline work.
Correctable Vision
Eyesight — can you be Ryanair cabin crew with glasses?
The response is definitely a yes. Perfect natural vision is not required, and you can wear glasses or contact lenses on board. I wore glasses the whole time I flew, and nobody ever raised an issue.
What matters is that, with your correction, you can read safety instructions and checklists, check the cabin, spot anything that looks wrong, and read the displays and panels around you. You also need to see clearly from one end of the cabin to the other, and on a Boeing 737 that is a long way.
Your eyesight is checked during the medical assessment before training, so if you already see well with your glasses, you have nothing to worry about.
Physical fitness
There is no weight requirement at Ryanair, and no one weighs you. I was overweight when I decided to become cabin crew, and it made no difference to my selection.
What they need is a body that can take the job. You will stand for hours, lift bags weighing up to 10 kg into overhead lockers, move quickly down a narrow aisle, and react quickly if something goes wrong.
If you can walk briskly for half an hour without getting out of breath, you are probably already there.
How to Dress for the Ryanair Interview
Here’s a somewhat brutal truth – recruiters evaluate you from the moment you enter. Precisely in the moment you step into the hotel lobby. Your appearance conveys professionalism before you even open your mouth.
Perfect Dress Code For Ryanair Interview (Complete Checklist)
Here’s a somewhat brutal truth – recruiters evaluate you from the moment you enter. Your appearance conveys professionalism before you even open your mouth.
For everyone:
- Dark suit (black or navy blue) – pantsuit/skirt suit for women, suit for men
- White long-sleeved shirt (impeccably ironed)
- Black closed-toe, polished shoes (3-5 cm medium heel for women, classic for men)
- Groomed appearance: neat hair (tied back for women), clean nails
- Discreet, professional makeup (for women)
- Groomed beard or clean-shaven (for men)
Absolutely avoid:
- Jeans, casual clothing
- Bright or overly creative colors
- Open-toe shoes, sneakers
- Overly strong perfume/aftershave
- Heavy or excessive makeup
- Flashy jewelry
- Visible tattoos
- Loose or messy hair
How to Prepare Effectively for Your Interview
Strategic preparation makes the difference between those who pass and those who get rejected.
Boost Your English
Concrete actions:
- Practice with online grammar tests (B2 level)
- Write 2-3 short paragraphs daily on aviation scenarios
- Watch cabin crew videos in English
- Practice conversations with native speakers (apps like Tandem or HelloTalk)
Focus on aviation vocabulary:
- Safety procedures, boarding, and emergency landing
- Customer service phrases
- In-flight service terminology
TIP: Contact me if you’re struggling with any of these points, and let’s see how I can help.
Master the STAR Method
I know this method could be new to you, but you’ll ace your interview if you pay attention to implementing it. Prepare 5-6 personal stories following the STAR technique to answer any behavioral question:
Preparation example:
- Situation: Describe a specific challenging context
- Task: What was your responsibility?
- Action: What concrete steps did you take?
- Result: What was the positive outcome?
In-Depth Research on Ryanair
Ryanair in four numbers, ready to quote:
- Over 500 Boeing 737 aircraft, one single fleet type
- More than 40 bases across Europe
- Over 3,000 flights a day to 225+ destinations in 40 countries
- Founded in 1984, headquartered in Dublin
Check these on the Ryanair website before your assessment day, as the fleet and the route map change every year.
Worth reading up on as well — the low-cost model and why it shapes the job, and any recent company news.
Pro tip — quote one of these, not all four. From my personal experience, recruiters notice the candidate who says a single fleet type means I can be rostered anywhere in Europe far more than the one who recites the whole list.
Simulate the Interview Multiple Times
I really recommend that you practise in front of a mirror, and then record yourself answering the questions on your phone. Watching it back is uncomfortable, and that is exactly why it works. You will notice the hands that never stop moving, and the answers that go on for three minutes when one would do. Keep each answer between one and two minutes, and practise until the smile comes on its own, because recruiters can tell when it is forced.
But the limit of rehearsing alone is that nobody interrupts you, asks a follow-up question, or tells you what they actually heard. That is what a full mock interview with a written debrief gives you.
After the Interview - The Training Course
For 2026, if you pass the interview, Ryanair offers the Training Course completely FREE.
Ryanair Training Course Details
Congratulations! You’ve passed the interview, and the offer arrived via email. The next step is the Training Course, the intensive period that will transform you into a certified flight attendant. This course is fundamental and rigorous, designed to prepare you to face every aspect of airline life, with particular emphasis on safety, as I mentioned before.
The course lasts six weeks and is entirely free! In the past, the cost could reach €3,000, but Ryanair eliminated this expense to attract new talent.
The program is extensive and covers: Safety Procedures, First Aid, high-level Customer Service, Emergency Protocols, and Aviation Regulations.
Exams – Prepare to take numerous theoretical and practical tests. Standards are very high, and attention to detail is paramount.
Accommodation – During the training period, the company does not provide accommodation.
Outcome – Completing the course guarantees you EASA certification (European Aviation Safety Agency), which officially qualifies you to operate as cabin crew.
Do not underestimate these six weeks.
The six-week training course is intense, and they test your stamina as much as your memory. You will learn more aviation English than you have ever heard in your life, with whole lists of technical terms you have never come across before.
The course is free, but your time is not, and you will be paying for a hotel room while you study. Get enough sleep, study every evening, and lean on the people in your course.
Some trainees do not make it to the end, and in my experience, it is all about good PREPARATION.
Ryanair Cabin Crew Salary — How Much Do You Actually Earn?
Short answer — Ryanair cabin crew pay is built from three parts. A guaranteed block of flight hours, a 10% commission on what you sell on board, and a per diem allowance for every duty day. There is no single figure, because the airline that employs you and the country you are based in change what reaches your account.
In my case, I was based in Poland as a self-employed cabin crew member.
You are not applying to one airline
Ryanair Holdings is a group of five airlines, each with its own operating certificate and its own legal framework. Actually, you apply through Ryanair, but the company that employs you depends on the base you are assigned to.
| Airline | Code | Based in | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair DAC | FR | Ireland | The original airline and the largest of the five |
| Ryanair UK | RK | United Kingdom | Created after Brexit. If you are based in the UK, this is likely your employer |
| Buzz | RR | Poland | Scheduled and charter flights. This was my airline |
| Malta Air | MW | Malta | Covers many continental bases, including Germany and Italy |
| Lauda Europe | — | Malta | The only Airbus A320 operator in the group |
I flew for Buzz, the Polish airline of the group. In the UK, crew is generally employed by Ryanair UK, which was established after Brexit to retain British operating rights.
I recommend that you ask at the interview which company will hire you and on what basis. It is a reasonable question, and nobody will hold it against you.
You may not be an employee
In several countries, Ryanair Group cabin crew are hired on a self-employed contract rather than as direct employees. That was my case in Poland. It means you invoice your hours, you handle your own tax and social contributions, and the gross figure you see advertised is not what lands in your bank account. For me, it was a good surprise. I had never felt so rich as I did in that period of my life.
What Ryanair cabin crew pay is made of
Guaranteed flight hours. My contract guaranteed 40 flight hours a month. Those were paid whether or not the roster filled them, which meant I always knew the floor of what I would earn. Anything above that block added to it.
Onboard sales commission — 10%. This is the part people underestimate, and it is one of the reasons crew stay. Every cabin crew member earns 10% of what they sell on board — food, drinks, duty-free, scratchcards. On a busy summer rotation with full flights, it makes a real difference to the month.
It is also why Ryanair recruiters look for people who are comfortable talking to strangers, because selling is part of the job and nobody hides it from you.
Per diem. A fixed allowance for every duty day, around €26 when I flew. You have to know that it is not salary, and it is not taxed the way salary is. It covers what you eat while you are working, and across a full month it is the difference between saving something and saving nothing.
What I took home. Around €1,800 net a month in Poland, on a self-employed contract, after the favourable first-year tax treatment. Your figure will differ. Take the structure from this, not the number.
What you pay for yourself
| Item | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Uniform, first issue | Ryanair |
| Uniform, replacement pieces | You |
| Six-week training course | Ryanair |
| Accommodation during training | You |
| Accommodation at your base | You |
| Getting to and from your base | You |
The course itself is free, the room is not, and it comes before your first payslip. Budget for those weeks before you accept the offer.
Ryanair Cabin Crew Salary in the UK
If you have been searching for this figure you will already have noticed something odd. Every site gives you a different number, and the gap between them is enormous.
| Source | Figure quoted | What it actually reflects |
|---|---|---|
| Indeed UK | ~£17,700 a year | Estimated from job postings, closest to a starting base |
| Industry estimate | From ~£21,000 a year | Entry-level base before sector pay and commission |
| Glassdoor UK | ~£23,200 a year | Mixed seniority, self-reported |
| Glassdoor, company page | ~£44,600 a year | Experienced crew, senior roles, busy bases and full rosters |
From this perspective, I can say that those numbers cannot all be right, and in a sense none of them is wrong. Here is what is actually going on.
The high figures are not new joiners. The £44,000 average comes from crew who have been at Ryanair for several years, moved into supervisor or trainer roles, and work full rosters at busy bases. If you are reading this before your first assessment day, that is not your first year.
Sector pay makes the month. Ryanair is short-haul, so you are not paid for long flights, you are paid for the number of sectors you operate. A summer roster out of Stansted and a February roster out of a quiet base are two different salaries on the same contract.
The contract type changes the net. Crew hired through an agency on a self-employed basis pay their own tax and social contributions, so the gross figure and the figure that lands in the account are further apart than an employee would expect.
What to take from this. Treat the low end as your realistic first year and the high end as what the job can become. Ask at the interview what the sector pay rate is and what an average month looks like at the base you are offered. That single question will tell you more than any salary website.
From one candidate to another
Ryanair said no to me five times, because I had not prepared properly. What changed the sixth time was preparation, and I became cabin crew at 40. I knew what the day looked like by heart, I knew what they were listening for, and I had stopped trying to sound like someone else or searching for my words in English.
That is what I help candidates with now. If you have not applied yet, start with a CV review, because the CV is what gets you in front of a recruiter. If your assessment day is already in the diary, book a session and we rehearse it together, so you can finally step into the career you have been dreaming of.
Where are you right now?
Or prepare on your own with my three books.
Either way, if you have read this far, it is because you have the motivation and the ambition to step into one of the most beautiful jobs in the world. Whatever happens, I warmly encourage you to keep going. One day you will earn your wings.
✈️ Carmen
FAQ
Base salary starts at approximately €1,800-2,200 per month, plus bonuses for flight hours, onboard sales, and per diem allowances. Total compensation can range from €2,500 to € 3,000 per month, depending on performance. It’s a job that rewards performance and efficiency.
Generally, 2-4 weeks for the response, then another 4-8 weeks until training begins (depending on course availability). The entire process from application to starting work typically takes 2-3 months.
Not always. During the interview, they’ll ask about your preferences, but the final assignment will depend on the company’s needs. Be flexible with base location—it significantly increases your chances of being hired.
English is mandatory at the B2 level minimum. Other languages are a plus but not essential. However, speaking additional European languages (Spanish, German, Italian, and French) can give you a competitive advantage. It’s better to speak more than one language.
You can try again, but you’ll have to repeat the entire selection process from the beginning. The training has high standards, and approximately 10-15% of candidates don’t complete it successfully.
Ryanair does not typically provide free accommodation during the 6-week training course. Trainees are generally responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own accommodation for the duration of the training period. It’s important to plan and consider these expenses before starting the course.
Expect irregular schedules with early morning starts (4-5 AM), late finishes, weekend work, and public holidays. You’ll typically work 5 days on, 3 days off, but this varies. Flexibility is essential for this role.
Yes, many Ryanair cabin crew members have families. However, you must have reliable childcare arrangements due to the irregular hours and potential overnight stays. The company doesn’t make exceptions to its scheduling policy for family commitments.
You can progress from cabin crew to senior cabin crew, then to cabin supervisor (purser), and eventually to cabin crew trainer or recruitment roles. Progression is based on performance, experience, and availability of positions.
Yes, very much so. You’ll be on your feet for 6-8 hours, lifting luggage, working in confined spaces, dealing with jet lag, and maintaining high energy levels throughout shifts. Physical stamina and good health are essential for long-term success in this role.
Yes. In my experience, for example, I failed five Ryanair assessment days before I was hired on the sixth. Every attempt teaches you what the day looks like and what they are listening for. Check your rejection email for any waiting period before you apply again, and use that time to work on whatever let you down.
Crew have staff travel benefits on the Ryanair network, usually as discounted or standby seats rather than guaranteed free tickets. The exact terms depend on your contract, so it is a good question to ask at the interview.
The most common reasons are tattoos that the uniform cannot cover, such as on the hands, neck or face, being below the minimum height, not being able to swim 25 metres, English below B2 and not having the right to work in the country of your base. Age and weight are not on this list.
Both are low-cost airlines, and neither is better overall. What makes the difference is the contract you are offered, the base you are sent to, and the roster pattern there. Compare the concrete offer, not the brand.
It can be. Turnarounds are short, the day starts early, sales matter and the pace is fast from the first flight to the last. What makes it manageable is the crew around you. Most people who stay say the team is the best part of the job, and that the hardest part is the alarm clock.
