Cabin crew manager
Also known as: chief purser, customer service director, cabin service director, manager of cabin crew, head of cabin crew, flight service manager
About this occupation
Cabin crew managers are responsible for motivating the cabin crew team to surpass passengers' expectations and for the application of safety regulations on board the plane.
Essential skills and knowledge
- deal with challenging work conditions
- conduct full-scale emergency plan exercises
- communicate verbal instructions
- sell souvenirs
- air transport law
- analyse work-related written reports
- process customer orders
- carry out pre-flight duties
- prepare flight reports
- airport planning
- handle veterinary emergencies
- upsell products
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers (O*NET 39-1022.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Train workers in proper operational procedures and functions and explain company policies.
- Meet with managers or other supervisors to stay informed of changes affecting operations.
- Assign work schedules, following work requirements, to ensure quality and timely delivery of service.
- Recruit and hire staff members.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding worker performance or services rendered.
- Take disciplinary action to address performance problems.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management
US median pay: US$48,590 a year (2025), 114,110 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.2)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.