Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Aircraft Service Attendant
What aircraft service attendants actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an aircraft service attendant?
Check fuel trucks. From there, the day usually includes fuel aircraft, clean cabins, and service water and lavatories. Shifts include nights, weekends and holidays.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an aircraft service attendant working full time.
- Check fuel trucks.
- Fuel the first departures.
- Clean an arriving cabin.
- Service lavatories.
- Marshal a private jet.
- Tow a plane to the hangar.
- Log fuel.
Where aircraft service attendants work
Attendants work on airport ramps and in cabins.
Hours and schedule
Shifts include nights, weekends and holidays.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Fuel aircraft
- Clean cabins
- Service water and lavatories
- De-ice aircraft
- Tow aircraft
- Marshal aircraft
- Inspect equipment
Tools you’ll use every day
- Fuel trucks
- Tugs
- De-icing trucks
- Lav carts
- Radios
- Wands
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Short training
- Aviation career start
- Travel perks at some airlines
What’s hard
- Weather
- Noise
- Fumes
- Odd hours
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love airplanes
- I don’t mind weather
- I work fast
- I follow safety rules
- I want an aviation career
- I want short training
Not sure? Take the free Aircraft Service Attendant fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Bond before fueling
- Wear hearing protection
- Stay clear of propellers and engines
- Use wing walkers