It’s been well over a year since Australian flag-carrier Qantas hired any new cabin crew for it’s international London base but the time has finally come – applications are now being accepted and the window for this particular recruitment campaign will close at 5pm on 14th October.
Expect competition to be incredibly tough and it’s likely that thousands of exceptional candidates will be competing against one another for just a few coveted positions. Previous flying experience, as well as foreign language skills, will be a definite advantage – although neither is compulsory.
Qantas’ London-based cabin crew work some of the airline’s longest flights, including the 17-hour non-stop flight between London Heathrow and Perth, Western Australia. The 14,498km flight is one of the longest in the world and is significantly longer than the second-longest route in the airline’s network between Sydney and Dallas.
According to Qantas insiders, the load factor on the LHR-PER route is running at between 85 – 90 per cent after being launched nearly 18-months ago. The flight has been a huge success for Qantas and now the airline is eyeing up its next ultra-long-haul options – the so-called Project Sunrise programme which may well see direct services between London and Sydney in just a few short years.
For now, though, London-based cabin crew are mainly working the route between London and Perth, as well as between London and Singapore. Successful candidates will be trained to operate on Qantas’ fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A380’s.
Qantas says it is looking for candidates who are “flexible and have a positive can-do attitude.”
“You will need to maintain an immaculate level of presentation and have experience in customer service positions. You will make sure our customers are safe and well in this unique environment while ensuring they enjoy the best possible experience on our international flights.”
Minimum requirements for this role include:
- At least 18-years old
- Able to swim at least 50-metres
- The right to live and work in the UK (Qantas cannot offer sponsorship)
- Maximum height of 186cm
- No minimum height but you must prove you can reach emergency equipment.
- At least two years experience in delivering “premium” customer service.
In addition, candidates will need to prove they possess a number of sought after skills which include:
- Commitment and confidence in delivering exceptional customer service
- Flexible and dependable
- Friendly, caring and empathetic
- An aptitude for technology
In order to apply for this position, you must submit your application via the official Qantas recruitment website. The full job ad can be found here.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in an Assessment Day which will be held in London.
It’s worth noting that just over a year ago, some of Qantas’ London-based crew were unhappy with a rostering “experiment” that saw the airline provide just 24-hours downroute rest after the LHR-PER flight. Qantas has since abandoned that experiment and cabin crew now receive much more rest after this flight.
