Airlines / SWISS / Requirements
SWISS cabin crew requirements
The hard filters SWISS 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
Reach matters more than height: you must access the emergency equipment overhead.
Tattoos
Some visible tattoos accepted
Tattoos must not be visible in uniform; small tattoos coverable by the uniform are acceptable, but hands, neck and face must be tattoo-free. Only 8 of 59 indexed airlines accept tattoos that show in uniform — this is one of them.
Languages
English + German
Fluent German and English at Zurich (French valued at Geneva); additional languages an advantage.
Education
Completed secondary education or vocational apprenticeship.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
EU/EFTA nationality or Swiss work permit, minimum age with customer service experience preferred, ability to swim, and residence within Switzerland or the border region required.
Do you meet these SWISS requirements?
Check your answers against SWISS and every other airline in the index — two minutes, no sign-up.
Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWISS | 18 | 158 cm height | Some allowed |
| British Airways | 18 | 201 cm | Not allowed |
| Virgin Atlantic | 18 | 210 cm | Not allowed |
| Lufthansa | 18 | 160 cm height | Not allowed |
| KLM | 18 | 158 cm height | Not allowed |
| Air France | 18 | 212 cm | Some allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for SWISS cabin crew?
SWISS asks for a minimum height of 158 cm.
Can you join SWISS cabin crew with tattoos?
Tattoos must not be visible in uniform; small tattoos coverable by the uniform are acceptable, but hands, neck and face must be tattoo-free. That makes it one of the more flexible policies in our index.
What age do you need to be to apply to SWISS?
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 SWISS's official careers page before ruling yourself out.