Being a flight attendant is an exciting career that allows you to travel the world and provide excellent customer service in the air. While it may seem like a glamorous job, there are actually quite a few requirements and qualifications needed to begin working as a flight attendant.
One question that often comes up is whether you need to be good at math in order to be a flight attendant. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the math skills required for flight attendants and help you determine if math aptitude is something you need to work on before applying for this career.
Basic Math Skills
While flight attendants do not need to have advanced mathematical knowledge, there are some basic math skills required for the job. Here are some of the key math abilities needed:
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing – Flight attendants need to be able to do basic calculations for things like counting inventory, payments, and mileage.
- Metric conversions – Since aviation uses the metric system, flight attendants should be familiar with converting between things like kilometers and miles.
- Algebra and formulas – Some aspects of the job require algebra skills and an understanding of formulas, like calculating fuel consumption rates.
- Measurement – Flight attendants need to be able to use various units of measurement, like Celsius for oven temperatures.
- Money math – Cash and credit card transactions require math skills like making change.
While flight attendants rely on computers for complex calculations, they still need to have fundamental math knowledge in order to perform many day-to-day job duties.
Math Skills Needed for Training
In addition to the everyday math requirements on the job, flight attendants also need math skills to successfully complete the initial training required by airlines.
This training covers a wide range of topics from aviation terminology to emergency protocols. Some aspects that require math knowledge include:
- Aviation math – Conversions between different units, time and distance formulas, and calculations related to speed, fuel, and weight.
- Safety protocols – Calculating safe distances for potentially dangerous situations.
- Food preparation – Following recipes, scaling ingredient amounts, and estimating measurements.
Trainees need to pass exams in order to graduate from flight attendant school, so having fundamental math abilities is key to making it through the program.
Is Strong Math Knowledge Required?
While flight attendants do use math regularly on the job, they are not required to have the same level of math proficiency as roles like pilots or aeronautical engineers. The math is generally limited to the basic concepts covered in high school.
For most major airlines, there is no specific educational requirement to become a flight attendant beyond a high school diploma or GED. This means you do not need college-level math classes to qualify for the role.
Here is an overview of the level of math skills required:
| Math Skill | Level Required |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Basic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) |
| Algebra | Basic (solving for x, manipulating simple algebraic expressions) |
| Geometry | Basic (area, perimeter, volume) |
| Statistics/Probability | Not Required |
| Calculus | Not Required |
As you can see, advanced math skills in areas like statistics, trigonometry, and calculus are not needed to become a flight attendant. As long as you have solid fundamental math knowledge, you should be able to pick up the job-specific math without much difficulty.
Improving Your Math Skills
If you are interested in becoming a flight attendant but are concerned that your math skills may not be up to par, there are ways you can improve them prior to applying:
- Take a basic math refresher course at a local college or online
- Use math apps and games to practice arithmetic, algebra, and measurement skills
- Study an aviation math textbook to learn flight-specific formulas and concepts
- Sign up for tutoring to get help mastering any math weak spots
You do not need to become a math whiz, but making sure you are comfortable with the fundamentals will help you succeed both during flight attendant training and on the job.
Conclusion
While some level of math competence is required, flight attendants are not expected to have expert-level mathematical skills. Solid fundamental math knowledge, like arithmetic, algebra, and measurement skills, provides the baseline to perform the various math tasks required of the job.
Advanced skills beyond basic high school math are not necessary. As long as you brush up on any rusty math areas and are willing to learn the specific aviation formulas and calculations, you do not need to be a math expert to have a successful career as a flight attendant.