Airlines / Virgin Atlantic / Requirements
Virgin Atlantic cabin crew requirements
The hard filters Virgin Atlantic 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
210 cm reach
6 airlines ask for the same 210 cm; 16 demand more.
Tattoos
Nothing visible in uniform
Visible tattoos on arms and legs permitted since 2022; face, head and neck tattoos remain restricted, and offensive designs are banned. Like most of the 59 airlines we index, nothing may show while you are in uniform.
Languages
Fluent English
Fluent English; other languages welcome but not scored heavily.
Education
No degree required; customer service experience strongly favoured.
Also required
Medical, swimming & documents
Right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship), ability to swim, passport allowing unrestricted travel to the US, and medical fitness for long-haul flying.
Work rights matter here
Virgin Atlantic expects the right to work in UK. Without it, applications are usually filtered out before assessment regardless of how strong the rest of your profile is.
Do you meet these Virgin Atlantic requirements?
Check your answers against Virgin Atlantic and every other airline in the index — two minutes, no sign-up.
Stricter or softer than its rivals?
| Airline | Min age | Reach | Visible tattoos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic | 18 | 210 cm | Not allowed |
| British Airways | 18 | 201 cm | Not allowed |
| Lufthansa | 18 | 160 cm height | Not allowed |
| SWISS | 18 | 158 cm height | Some allowed |
| KLM | 18 | 158 cm height | Not allowed |
| Air France | 18 | 212 cm | Some allowed |
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum height for Virgin Atlantic cabin crew?
Virgin Atlantic measures reach rather than height alone: you must touch 210 cm. Practise against a wall on tiptoes before the assessment day.
Can you join Virgin Atlantic cabin crew with tattoos?
Visible tattoos on arms and legs permitted since 2022; face, head and neck tattoos remain restricted, and offensive designs are banned. Covered tattoos are not a problem; anything showing in uniform is.
What age do you need to be to apply to Virgin Atlantic?
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 Virgin Atlantic's official careers page before ruling yourself out.