Airlines / Cathay Pacific / Requirements
Cathay Pacific cabin crew requirements
The hard filters Cathay Pacific applies before a recruiter reads your CV — age, reach, tattoos, languages and documents, with how strict each one is compared to the rest of the industry.
Minimum age
18 years
Most carriers set 18; Gulf and US majors usually 21.
Height & reach
208 cm reach
5 airlines ask for the same 208 cm; 22 demand more.
Tattoos
Nothing visible in uniform
No tattoos visible in uniform. Like most of the 59 airlines we index, nothing may show while you are in uniform.
Languages
English + Cantonese
Fluent English plus fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin or another Asian language is strongly preferred.
Education
Completed secondary education (HKDSE or equivalent) minimum.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
Right to live and work in Hong Kong (or hired through the mainland China recruitment scheme); 208 cm reach on tiptoe; pass a pre-employment medical.
Do you meet these Cathay Pacific requirements?
Check your answers against Cathay Pacific and every other airline in the index — two minutes, no sign-up.
Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay Pacific | 18 | 208 cm | Not allowed |
| Singapore Airlines | 18 | 158 cm height | Not allowed |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 18 | — | Not allowed |
| Japan Airlines | 18 | — | Not allowed |
| Korean Air | 18 | 208 cm | Not allowed |
| EVA Air | 20 | 208 cm | Not allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for Cathay Pacific cabin crew?
Cathay Pacific measures reach rather than height alone: you must touch 208 cm. Practise against a wall on tiptoes before the assessment day.
Can you join Cathay Pacific cabin crew with tattoos?
No tattoos visible in uniform. Covered tattoos are not a problem; anything showing in uniform is.
What age do you need to be to apply to Cathay Pacific?
The minimum is 18. There is no published upper limit at most carriers, and experienced applicants in their 30s and 40s are hired regularly.
Requirements change without notice — tattoo and grooming rules in particular have been relaxed at several airlines since 2022. Always confirm on Cathay Pacific's official careers page before ruling yourself out.