Airlines / Ethiopian Airlines / Requirements
Ethiopian Airlines cabin crew requirements
The hard filters Ethiopian Airlines 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
158 cm min · 212 cm reach
212 cm is the toughest reach standard in the index — 16 airlines ask for it.
Tattoos
Nothing visible in uniform
No visible tattoos in uniform; conservative grooming standards apply. Like most of the 59 airlines we index, nothing may show while you are in uniform.
Languages
Fluent English
Fluent English required; Amharic and other Ethiopian or international languages are an advantage.
Education
Ethiopian University Entrance Exam Certificate minimum for trainee intakes; recruitment is normally limited to Ethiopian nationals.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
Female minimum height 158 cm with 212 cm arm reach, male 170 cm; medically fit to Ethiopian CAA standards; training completed at the Ethiopian Aviation Academy in Addis Ababa.
Do you meet these Ethiopian Airlines requirements?
Check your answers against Ethiopian Airlines and every other airline in the index — two minutes, no sign-up.
Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 18 | 212 cm | Not allowed |
| Kenya Airways | 21 | 212 cm | Not allowed |
| EgyptAir | 18 | 160 cm height | Not allowed |
| Royal Air Maroc | 21 | 160 cm height | Not allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for Ethiopian Airlines cabin crew?
Ethiopian Airlines measures reach rather than height alone: you must touch 212 cm, with a minimum height of 158 cm. Practise against a wall on tiptoes before the assessment day.
Can you join Ethiopian Airlines cabin crew with tattoos?
No visible tattoos in uniform; conservative grooming standards apply. Covered tattoos are not a problem; anything showing in uniform is.
What age do you need to be to apply to Ethiopian Airlines?
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 Ethiopian Airlines's official careers page before ruling yourself out.