Airlines / United Airlines / Requirements
United Airlines cabin crew requirements
The hard filters United 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
21 years
Most carriers set 18; Gulf and US majors usually 21.
Height & reach
No published minimum
Reach matters more than height: you must access the emergency equipment overhead.
Tattoos
Some visible tattoos accepted
Small tattoos may be visible if no larger than the work badge and not on face, neck or hands; larger tattoos must be covered by the uniform. Only 8 of 59 indexed airlines accept tattoos that show in uniform — this is one of them.
Languages
Fluent English
Fluent English; United hires heavily for second languages across its global network, from Japanese and Mandarin to Portuguese and Hindi.
Education
High school diploma or GED; two years of customer service experience preferred.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
Right to work in the US, valid passport, ability to sit jumpseat and operate all exits, pass background check and drug screen; willing to accept any base including Guam.
Work rights matter here
United Airlines expects the right to work in US. Without it, applications are usually filtered out before assessment regardless of how strong the rest of your profile is.
Do you meet these United Airlines requirements?
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Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 21 | — | Some allowed |
| Delta Air Lines | 21 | — | Not allowed |
| American Airlines | 20 | — | Not allowed |
| Southwest Airlines | 21 | — | Some allowed |
| Alaska Airlines | 21 | — | Not allowed |
| JetBlue | 21 | — | Some allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for United Airlines cabin crew?
United Airlines publishes no fixed height minimum — the test is whether you can reach the emergency equipment in the overhead compartments.
Can you join United Airlines cabin crew with tattoos?
Small tattoos may be visible if no larger than the work badge and not on face, neck or hands; larger tattoos must be covered by the uniform. That makes it one of the more flexible policies in our index.
What age do you need to be to apply to United Airlines?
The minimum is 21. 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 United Airlines's official careers page before ruling yourself out.