Onboarding plan

Flight Attendant Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)

A practical, printable plan to take a new flight attendant from first day to full productivity.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Flight Attendant onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

  • Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
  • Verify required credentials: FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, CPR and AED certification (as applicable)
  • Prepare equipment and access: emergency exits and slides; fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles; AEDs and first aid kits; service carts and galley equipment
  • Assign a buddy or preceptor
  • Enroll the new hire in Flight Attendant training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

  • Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
  • Stay seated and buckled during turbulence when instructed
  • Use safe lifting for bags and carts
  • Know the location and use of every emergency item
  • Follow fatigue rules and rest policies
  • Shadow an experienced flight attendant through a full shift
  • Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

  • Supervised practice: secure the cabin for takeoff
  • Supervised practice: respond to an in-flight medical emergency
  • Supervised practice: handle a disruptive passenger
  • Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
  • 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

  • Check emergency equipment before flights: independently
  • Brief passengers on safety procedures: independently
  • Secure the cabin for takeoff and landing: independently
  • Serve food and beverages: independently
  • Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
  • Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
  • 60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

  • Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
  • Begin cross-training on a secondary task
  • Agree on a credential goal (for example, FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency)
  • Discuss the career path: Flight Attendant (Reserve) → Line Holder → Purser or Lead Flight Attendant
  • 90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or taskTrainedObservedSigned off
Secure the Cabin for Takeoff
Respond to an In-Flight Medical Emergency
Handle a Disruptive Passenger
Emergency procedures
First aid and CPR
Aircraft safety equipment
Service procedures

How to measure onboarding success

  • Units per hour or stops per day versus target
  • Pick, scan or delivery accuracy
  • Incidents and equipment damage
  • 30- and 90-day retention

How Flight Attendant training maps to this plan

  1. Introduction to the Flight Attendant Role
  2. A Day on the Job
  3. Essential Flight Attendant Vocabulary
  4. Core Duties and Responsibilities
  5. Common Tasks, Step by Step
  6. Tools, Equipment and Technology
  7. Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
  8. Skills Employers Look For
  9. Launching Your Flight Attendant Career
  10. Final Knowledge Check
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