As a flight attendant here I have listed my top 15 books you must read. This list of books covers practical and helpful information if you are looking for a flight attendant job as well as tales from the lighter and stranger side of the aviation industry.
Table of Contents
Recommended Books for Prospective (Future) Cabin Crews
The essential guide to becoming a flight attendant
https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Becoming-Flight-Attendant/dp/0970184328
This book, written by American Airlines Flight Attendant and Flight Attendant hiring expert, Kiki Ward, is the most trusted resource on becoming a flight attendant for the last two decades.
It covers all that you need to know, from applying to be a flight attendant right through to what it’s like to be one.
Of particular use is the section on interview techniques (with a substantial list of interview questions and answers) with exercises and role-playing scenarios.
The author is a long-time award-winning flight attendant and this book is something of a bible in the industry.
It really is a go-to book for aspiring flight attendants.
The Fly Guide: How to Become a Flight Attendant
https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Girls-Guide-Become-Attendant/dp/1520541406
This book is broken down into three sections: Applying for the job – Passing the video and face-to-face interview – Earning your wings.
It‘s not overly long, but it is concise and to the point.
It contains all the information needed and is written with the practicalities of applying and attaining a flight attendant’s job in mind.
Written by Ebony Christina, an experienced flight attendant, I would add this to my collection as a handbook for quick reference and for reinforcement.
Beyond the red carpet: How to become a corporate flight attendant on a private jet
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Red-Carpet-Corporate-Attendant/dp/0759613605
Another insider’s perspective, but this time from the world of the corporate flight side of the aviation industry.
This book is very well written as well as being very informative about a niche in the aviation industry that many would perhaps not consider.
Even if you aren’t thinking of applying for a job in the world of private jets, I would still recommend reading this book because it gives an insight into another aspect of your chosen industry.
The complete flight attendant interview book
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Flight-Attendant-Interview-Work-ebook/dp/B0074WDU7W
This is a workbook, first and foremost.
It takes the view that you can never do too much preparation for applying for a flight attendant’s position.
And, as the dreaded interview is a major factor in the employee selection process, this book contains topics such as Meet and Greet, Panel Interviews, Grooming, etc.
This book is a must if you want to be fully prepared for your interview.
The exercises it contains allow you to frame answers in your own words, which is exactly what you need before facing any job interview.
How to Pass the Emirates Cabin Crew Interview
https://www.amazon.com/Pass-Emirates-Cabin-Crew-Interview/dp/1494875659
This book, as the title clearly states, is Emirates Airline-specific. So if your dream job is to follow a career in Emirates this is your book.
It will cover all the topics that any good book about flight attendants should: open days, interviews, what recruiters are looking for, etc.
Plus the specific Emirates hiring process: what to wear, how to pass the group dynamic/exercise, how to answer the interview questions, body language, etc
The advantage of this book is that it gives you an insight into the real Emirates interview.
So this is definitely an essential book for those interested in this company, just remember that there’s no magic formula to pass an interview and make sure you do good research.
English for Cabin Crew
https://www.amazon.com/English-Cabin-Crew-Terence-Gerighty/dp/0462098737/
It’s very important for non-native English speakers to have work as well as general vocabulary.
This book provides exactly that, from the pre-flight briefing to the farewelling of your passengers.
There is a section for self-study and ‘homework’, two things that are essential for the improvement of English in the workplace.
While this book works well as a stand-alone, it would probably shine if it was used with a one-on-one tutor or in group teaching.
It is incredibly important that flight attendants are at ease and fluent in the language of their trade.
This book will definitely help with that.
On the same topic: English for Cabin Crew: How to Improve It and Pass Your Interview
Funny Aviation Reads
Cruising Altitude
https://www.amazon.com/CRUISING-ATTITUDE-Heather-Poole/dp/0061986461/
This lifts the lid on some of the funnier aspects of being a flight attendant.
With fifteen years of dealing with the oddities and dramas of passengers, crew, and pilots, Heather Poole has a wealth of well-written and amusing anecdotes to lighten up any moments you can free up for reading.
Cruising Altitude reminds you that all the hard work of being a flight attendant has its relief and laughs, it is not all about being foggy-brained by time zones or having to suffer irritating passengers.
Flight attendant survival guide
https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Attendant-Survival-Guide/dp/1537118811/
What happens when you finally become a flight attendant, what is your world going to be like?
This book covers the ‘other side’ of being cabin crew, the side that many don’t give much thought to.
What do you pack for that trip?
What is the story about crash pads and how to find them?
You’ll find the answers in here.
The world of being a flight attendant is like no other on the planet.
This book serves as a primer for what to expect and as a manual of what to do when it comes to the personal and social aspects of the job.
Dear Passenger: Welcome to My Wacky World as a Flight Attendant
https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Passenger-Welcome-Flight-Attendant/dp/1944662251/
The title says it all.
A dead body in a garment bag? Yep, been there, done that.
This book is a memoir of the odd and bizarre things that can happen on flights during a twenty-seven-year flying career.
And it’s not just the passengers that provide the laughs – colleagues aren’t blameless and aren’t spared.
There’s nothing like finding out that your chosen career isn’t one filled with the same old, same old.
This book will put a smile on your face and a warm regard for the world of the flight attendant.
And explain about bodies in garment bags.
Plane Insanity
https://www.amazon.com/Plane-Insanity-Flight-Attendants-Queasiness/dp/0312310064/
This is another book with tales from 30,000 feet.
Some of the stories are as hair-raising as others are amusing. Remember the movie ‘Snakes on a Plane’?
Well, be sure to read the story about the smuggled python.
And yes, the Mile High Club gets more than a mention.
But the book is also insightful and at times quite touching.
Elliot Hester is a skilled observer and mental note-taker and her book is well-written, edgy and funny.
This is as much commentary on modern flying as it is stories of demented passengers and very odd colleagues.
Betty in the sky with a suitcase
https://www.amazon.com/Betty-Sky-Suitcase-Hilarious-Attendant/dp/1606390112/
Now I’m not saying that cabin and flight deck crew are all insane, but you could be forgiven for thinking so after reading this book.
It’s a roller-coaster ride about the things that they get up to.
I love the story about the webcam and the gorilla suit, although I’m glad I wasn’t on that particular flight.
This will be another welcome addition to the section of your bookshelf that is dedicated to light relief and the downright funny.
It’s one that you can dip into and keep coming back to.
Around the world in a bad mood
https://www.amazon.com/Around-World-Bad-Mood-Confessions/dp/0786890118/
I love the title of this book, it tells a tale in just a few words.
The stories reflect aspects of the flight attendant’s life, both on and off board.
It reflects not only on the humor, adventure and excitement of life, but also its frustrations and complexities.
There are many aspects to being a flight attendant and this book covers a lot of them.
It’s important to understand what getting your dream job means after you have got it.
This book will help in gaining that understanding.
Fasten Your Seat Belts And Eat Your Fxcking Nuts
https://www.amazon.com/Fasten-Your-Seat-Belts-Fucking/dp/153542110X/
This is book one of the Flight Attendant Joe series and fair warning; it contains adult humor and some naughty words.
Or maybe you already got that idea from the title?
This is a gay man’s take on life as a flight attendant. These are full-on, written for laughs, tales from the skies.
Those who like their humor a touch salty and edgy will love this book. It is designed for no more complicated purpose than to make you laugh.
Perhaps not for everyone, Joe Thomas has written a book that deserves to be on the spectrum of your flight attendant reading collection.
Other Interesting Aviation Reads
Sleeping for pilots and cabin crew (and other insomniacs)
https://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Pilots-Cabin-Crew-Insomniacs-ebook/dp/B019CTC8OA/
An interesting book on that bugbear of airline staff of all shades – how to get enough sleep when you need it.
This pilot of 30 years standing has addressed the issue with a well-researched and written book.
This one may come in handyier than you could have imagined. Keep it on your list.
Flight times: Fume event Aviation’s biggest lie
https://www.amazon.ca/FUME-EVENT-Aviations-Biggest-Lie/dp/1365297977
This book is way different from any other on this list but is still worthy of inclusion because it demonstrates how toxic fumes in aircraft cabins can cause serious health problems to cabin crews and passengers and how commercial aviation is not really admitting the problem.
Fume events or air quality incidents on commercial flights are something quite common but at the same time usually ignored by the airline industry, want to know why?
