Airlines / Korean Air / Requirements
Korean Air cabin crew requirements
The hard filters Korean Air 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 visible tattoos in uniform. Like most of the 59 airlines we index, nothing may show while you are in uniform.
Languages
English + Korean
Fluent Korean and English (TOEIC ~550+ guideline); Chinese or Japanese are scored advantages.
Education
Associate degree (2-year college) or higher.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
208 cm arm reach on tiptoe replaces the old height rule; corrected vision standard; swimming test during training; Korean work authorization (recruitment targets Korean nationals).
Do you meet these Korean Air requirements?
Check your answers against Korean Air and every other airline in the index — two minutes, no sign-up.
Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean Air | 18 | 208 cm | Not allowed |
| Singapore Airlines | 18 | 158 cm height | Not allowed |
| Cathay Pacific | 18 | 208 cm | Not allowed |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 18 | — | Not allowed |
| Japan Airlines | 18 | — | Not allowed |
| EVA Air | 20 | 208 cm | Not allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for Korean Air cabin crew?
Korean Air measures reach rather than height alone: you must touch 208 cm. Practise against a wall on tiptoes before the assessment day.
Can you join Korean Air cabin crew with tattoos?
No visible tattoos in uniform. Covered tattoos are not a problem; anything showing in uniform is.
What age do you need to be to apply to Korean Air?
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 Korean Air's official careers page before ruling yourself out.