Quick Answer
Most major airlines do require flight attendant trainees to pass a swimming test during initial training. This is done for safety reasons, to ensure flight attendants are able to survive in the water in the event of an emergency water landing. While requirements vary by airline, the swimming test generally involves treading water for a certain period of time, swimming a distance of around 50-100 meters, and demonstrating competency in water survival skills. So yes, the ability to swim is an important part of flight attendant training and qualification at many airlines.
What Does the Swimming Test Involve?
The specifics of the swimming test vary somewhat by airline, but generally include the following components:
- Treading water for a continuous period of time, usually 1-3 minutes.
- Swimming a distance of 25-100 meters (typically 50 meters) without stopping.
- Floating motionless in a prone position for a period of time, to simulate floating in the water after a crash.
- Demonstrating competency in water survival skills like removing shoes and clothing in water, deploying flotation devices, and swimming through water with shoes and clothing.
The water competency test is pass/fail, and flight attendant trainees must pass it in order to graduate from initial training. Those who fail are usually given an opportunity to train further and retake the test until they can pass.
Why is Swimming Part of Flight Attendant Training?
The main reason swimming is a mandatory part of flight attendant training is for safety. All major airlines are required to provide flight attendants with training on how to survive emergency water landings. Being able to swim, tread water, and handle oneself competently in water is considered an essential safety skill.
In the event of a crash landing on water, flight attendants may need to swim distances through the water and assist passengers with flotation devices and evacuating the aircraft. Treading water allows them to stay afloat for extended periods if rescue is delayed. The swimming test ensures they can handle these duties.
Beyond crash survivability, swimming skills also provide some important health and fitness benefits relevant to the job:
- Cardiovascular fitness – Swimming is a rigorous cardio workout.
- Muscle strength – Swimming works the entire body.
- Stress relief – The water has calming effects.
So swimming tests help ensure flight attendants are in adequate physical shape to perform their duties, which require extensive time on your feet and responding quickly to emergencies.
Which Airlines Require Swimming Tests?
Most major U.S. airlines and international carriers include swimming requirements as part of initial flight attendant training:
| Airline | Swimming Test Requirements |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | Tread water for 3 minutes, swim 50 meters |
| Delta Air Lines | Tread water for 3 minutes with hands out of water, swim 50 meters |
| United Airlines | Tread water for 3 minutes, swim 50 meters |
| Southwest Airlines | Tread water for 3 minutes, swim 100 meters |
| JetBlue Airways | Tread water for 1 minute, swim 50 meters |
| Spirit Airlines | Tread water for 3 minutes, swim 50 meters |
| Alaska Airlines | Tread water for 3 minutes, swim 50 meters |
| British Airways | Tread water for 1 minute, swim 50 meters fully clothed |
As the table shows, most airlines have very similar swimming test requirements, focused on demonstrating the ability to tread water for 1-3 minutes and swim distances of 50-100 meters. The skills tested are relevant to surviving a water-based aircraft evacuation.
Tips for Passing the Flight Attendant Swim Test
Here are some useful tips for getting prepared to pass the flight attendant swimming test if you’re not a strong swimmer already:
- Practice treading water often to build endurance – try for longer intervals like 5-10 minutes.
- Swim lengths of 50 meters or more during your swim sessions.
- Take swimming lessons and get coaching if your technique needs work.
- Build upper body and core strength at the gym – these are essential for treading water.
- Get comfortable swimming in clothes and shoes since you may have to do this in an emergency.
- Remain calm during the test – anxiety can sap your energy quickly.
- Learn how to float on your back to rest if you get tired.
- If you really struggle, consider investing in a flotation device to assist you.
With practice and preparation, you can get your swimming competency up to the level needed to pass the airline swim test requirements.
What Happens If You Can’t Pass the Swim Test?
Typically, flight attendant trainees who fail the initial swimming test are given a chance to practice their skills and retake the test until they can pass. Airlines will provide remedial swimming lessons and practice time so trainees can improve their abilities.
However, if after multiple attempts a trainee cannot pass the swim test, they will fail the training course and be disqualified from working as a flight attendant for that airline. Passing the test is mandatory in order to graduate and be put on active flight duty.
Some airlines may allow the trainee to re-apply for a future training class after significantly improving their swimming skills on their own time. But repeated failure of the test will result in dismissal from the role altogether.
Very rarely, a potential candidate with an extreme phobia of water or other extenuating circumstances may be able to receive a special exemption from the test. But typically, passing the swimming competency requirements is obligatory to becoming a flight attendant.
Conclusion
Swimming is considered a crucial safety skill in flight attendant training. A water competency test involving skills like treading water and swimming 50 meters is a mandatory qualification requirement at most major airlines. Occasionally trainees may struggle to pass these tests, but with practice and perseverance it is possible for anyone to gain the swimming abilities needed for the job. While not everyone enjoys swimming, being able to handle oneself in water is an occupational necessity for flight attendants in case of emergencies. So if you aspire to take to the skies, be prepared to also hit the pool during your training!