Prestige and Perks: Why Young Koreans Aspire to Be Flight Attendants

The Sky-High Appeal of Flight Attendant Careers in South Korea

Choi Hyun-ji, 25, vividly remembers the highlights of her time as a Qatar Airways crew member. In just a few years, she visited 42 countries, accumulated 2,432 flight hours, and built friendships spanning from Qatar to the United States. Yet like many who enter this profession, Choi also experienced its challenges firsthand. “The most difficult part of being a flight attendant is maintaining a balanced lifestyle because of the time differences and irregular working hours,” she explained to The Korea Times. Despite these difficulties, flight attendant careers remain among the most coveted positions for young Koreans, attracting thousands of applicants each year who see the profession as a gateway to adventure, financial stability, and social prestige.

The intense fascination with cabin crew careers reflects broader societal trends in South Korea, where traditional career paths have become increasingly competitive and uncertain. For many young Koreans, becoming a flight attendant represents not just a job, but a carefully calculated path to success in a society where economic pressures and limited opportunities have created fierce competition for desirable positions. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among young women, who face significant structural barriers in the Korean job market.

Beyond the Runway: How Social Media Fueled a Career Obsession

In today’s digital age, the flight attendant profession has undergone a remarkable transformation in public perception. Videos and posts documenting the daily lives of flight attendants routinely rack up millions of views across social media platforms, creating a fascination that extends far beyond the practical aspects of the job. In South Korea, many flight attendants have developed substantial followings by sharing their experiences at 30,000 feet while simultaneously working as models and influencers.

This dual identity has significantly influenced how young Koreans view the profession. Park Hyun-ji, a flight attendant who appeared on Season 4 of the popular dating show “EXchange” (known internationally as “Transit Love”), experienced this firsthand. When cast members first met her, they immediately identified her profession based on her height, demeanor, and physical appearance. When she eventually revealed her occupation, the female participants all said “flight attendant” in unison.

The celebrity pipeline from cabin crew to entertainment has further glamorized the profession. Kim Ji-young, who worked as a flight attendant for seven years, first gained recognition on the dating show “Heart Signal 4” in 2023. She has since transitioned into modeling and influencing, even hosting a radio segment on SBS Power FM. Perhaps the most prominent example is actor Pyo Ye-jin, who starred in popular shows like “Taxi Driver” (2021) and “Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale” (2024), with her flight attendant background becoming part of her public persona.

This media visibility has created a feedback loop where the perceived glamour of the profession attracts more attention, which in turn generates more content and fuels further interest. Young Koreans now grow up seeing former flight attendants achieving celebrity status, reinforcing the notion that the profession serves as a stepping stone to broader opportunities in media and entertainment.

The Economics of Aviation: Compensation Compared to Alternatives

The financial considerations driving this career obsession are substantial and reflect harsh economic realities in South Korea. As of 2025, Korea’s minimum wage stands at 10,030 won per hour (approximately $7.40), creating significant pressure for young job seekers to find positions offering above-average compensation. While exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed by airlines, online sources indicate that Korean Air interns and first-year flight attendants earn approximately $25,000 annually, while senior crew members can make up to $55,000 per year.

These figures become particularly compelling when compared to other available options for young Koreans. For instance, a makeup salesperson starting their first job in a department store typically earns about $1,200 monthly, working 10 or more hours daily with only one day off each week. The stark difference in compensation has made flight attendant positions exceptionally attractive despite the challenging working conditions.

Beyond base salaries, the comprehensive benefits package associated with aviation careers adds significant value. Choi described how airline employees receive discounted tickets for family and friends, free housing, transportation allowances, and the freedom to travel to different destinations during days off. International carriers often provide even more generous perks. Qatar Airways, for example, offers fully furnished accommodation, tax-free monthly salaries, medical and life insurance, and travel concessions to successful applicants.

The financial advantages of aviation careers must be understood within Korea’s broader economic context. With housing prices in Seoul averaging $876,215 in 2022, while annual salaries for Koreans aged 25-39 range between $26,600 and $37,660, young Koreans face an increasingly difficult path to financial independence. In this landscape, positions offering above-average pay and substantial benefits represent a crucial advantage in a competitive economy.

Acceptance Rates Rivaling Elite Universities: The Competitive Reality

The competition for flight attendant positions has reached extraordinary levels in South Korea, with acceptance rates comparable to the most selective universities worldwide. Korean Air does not publicly release exact application figures, but estimates from online communities indicate that roughly 17,000 people applied for flight attendant positions in 2010, with fewer than 150 ultimately hired. This represents an acceptance rate of under 1%. As interest has grown, online job-searching companies suggest today’s applicant pool could reach as high as 20,000 for major airlines.

These numbers have led many to compare the difficulty of getting hired to passing a K-pop trainee audition, underscoring the idealized view the job holds among young Koreans. The statistics become even more striking when considering recent recruitment data. According to Air Premia, their July 2024 recruitment period attracted approximately 6,200 applicants, with an acceptance rate of 1 in 62. With Korean Air and Asiana Airlines scheduled to finalize their merger this year, industry experts expect competition to intensify further.

The intensity of this competition reflects broader employment challenges facing South Korea’s youth. Youth employment has reached its lowest level in 12 years, pushing many job seekers toward specialized training programs in hopes of improving their prospects. The unemployment rate for people between 20 and 29 in South Korea stands at 7%, significantly higher than the 3.9% rate for Americans aged 25-34. In a labor market that doesn’t offer enough high-paying jobs sought by young graduates, flight attendant positions have become among the most coveted opportunities.

Many applicants are so dedicated to achieving their goal that they are willing to make multiple attempts. Jiyeong Kim, 25, represents this persistence. After failing to make the cut eight times, she was preparing for her ninth attempt to enter South Korea’s elite stewardess ranks. Her daily routine involves training at the gym for two hours, eating a single meal consisting of a small chicken sandwich, spending an hour and a half on makeup and hair styling, and studying Chinese and English for six hours. Such extreme dedication illustrates how highly these positions are valued in the Korean job market.

Appearance Standards: The Unspoken Requirements

In Korea, flight attendants are culturally associated with beauty, poise, and refined manners. These traits align with the country’s deeply ingrained beauty standards. While physical attractiveness is not an official requirement for most airlines, it remains a significant factor in the hiring process, particularly for Korean carriers. Choi explained that Korean Air “usually prefers someone with a clean and friendly impression. Interviewers focus heavily on a bright smile, clear skin, balanced features, and a neat, professional image.”

The emphasis on appearance has led some aspiring flight attendants to undergo plastic surgery. Many beauty clinics in Korea now offer special packages specifically designed for flight attendant applicants. This phenomenon reflects broader cultural trends in South Korea, which has the highest rate of cosmetic surgery per capita globally. One estimate suggests that one in five Korean women undergo cosmetic procedures.

Height requirements represent another physical consideration for applicants. Hwang Ji-yeong, 24, currently a member of the Emirates cabin crew, noted that most airlines consider height important for safety and service duties because crew members must be able to reach overhead bins. Most airlines require applicants to be taller than 160 cm, with weight expectations that can be equally strict. Pablo Lee, director of an airline training academy, explained that “over 60 kg is kind of overweight, but rarely some people get hired even if they weigh more than that because they are tall.”

Korean carriers are particularly known for their rigorous physical standards. While Western airlines often face stringent equal opportunity regulations that prevent overt discrimination based on age or appearance, Asian carriers maintain more flexibility in their selection criteria. Korean airlines tend to have an unspoken upper age limit, typically cutting off recruitment around age 30. This creates additional pressure for young applicants to secure positions before they reach these age thresholds.

The intense focus on appearance can be overwhelming for some applicants. At Qatar Airways recruitment events in Seoul, hopefuls have been known to arrive as early as 2 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start time, waiting up to seven hours to submit their resumes. The convention halls become abuzz with preening as applicants carefully apply makeup, adjust their hair, and ensure every detail of their appearance meets expectations.

Grooming and Presentation

Successful applicants understand that presentation extends beyond natural features to include carefully cultivated styling choices. At recruitment events, most women wear satin cream or white blouses with figure-hugging black or red pencil skirts. Some applicants attempt to stand out through bold fashion choices like red polka dot blouses, zebra print stilettos, or gold sequin straps. However, these approaches carry risks depending on the airline’s culture.

For domestic airlines like Korean Air and Asiana, applicants typically adopt a more uniform appearance, wearing identical black skirts and silk blouses. This conformity reflects the carriers’ emphasis on team cohesion and standardized service delivery. International airlines, by contrast, may encourage applicants to express more individuality, though success still requires striking the right balance between standing out and fitting expectations.

Beyond clothing, makeup choices receive careful consideration. Applicants research specific preferences among different airlines, such as Qatar Airways’ reported preference for dark, smoky eye makeup and red lipstick. Hair is typically styled in the ubiquitous sleek bun, a request that hairdressers across Korea have become accustomed to handling for would-be airline recruits. Skin quality receives particular attention, with one hopeful noting that for Qatar Airways, “no pimples and no freckles” was considered essential.

Navigating the Rigorous Selection Process

For those determined to pursue a flight attendant career, the path requires meticulous preparation and dedication. Applicants must meet strict technical standards, including vision requirements of at least 1.0. English proficiency tests such as OPIc and TOEIC are mandatory, reflecting the international nature of aviation work. All candidates must also pass comprehensive medical and physical exams, including swimming tests to demonstrate emergency preparedness.

The recruitment process itself involves multiple stages, beginning with document screening followed by several rounds of interviews. Given the intense competition, applicants place enormous importance on their resumes and the accompanying photograph, which often serves as a critical first impression. With judges sometimes having only 20 seconds to make initial assessments during recruitment events, every detail matters.

The preparation requirements have become so demanding that many applicants now attend specialized flight attendant academies. Choi recalled that her academy had approximately 10 to 15 adult students per class, with even more enrolled in entrance exam preparation programs. These institutions offer courses ranging from six months to specialized shorter programs, with costs varying between $2,000 and $4,000 according to online community reports. Some academies offer monthly payment plans starting at $800, making them accessible to a broader range of applicants.

The curriculum at these academies addresses every aspect of the hiring process. Students receive instruction in English language skills, posture correction, speech training, customer service techniques, and safety procedures. Many programs conduct simulated cabin service sessions and require swimming practice and first aid training to meet emergency standards. Grooming and makeup classes help candidates match each airline’s preferred image, while interview coaching and application support guide students through the competitive recruitment cycle.

Hwang’s academy provided “interview preparation classes, including English interview practice, role-playing and image training.” This comprehensive approach reflects the multifaceted nature of the selection process, where candidates must demonstrate technical knowledge, language skills, physical fitness, and appropriate personal presentation simultaneously.

Academic requirements have also become more stringent over time. In the past, students from various academic backgrounds could apply without extensive preparation. However, as competition has intensified, both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines now require university degrees, with some cabin crew members even holding masters or Ph.D. qualifications. This academic bar has pushed many aspiring flight attendants toward specialized university programs in flight services, offering either two-year associate degrees or four-year bachelor’s programs with industry connections.

Korean Air: The Pinnacle of Aviation Career Ambitions

Among all available options, Korean Air remains the top choice for aspiring flight attendants in South Korea. The flag carrier has established itself as one of the world’s leading airlines for cabin service, creating powerful motivation for those seeking to join its ranks. This reputation was formally recognized when Korean Air achieved prestigious 5-Star Airline certification from Skytrax, placing it among an exclusive group of just 10 top-tier airlines globally.

The airline’s commitment to service excellence is demonstrated through its Service Improvement Committee, established in 2013 to monitor customer satisfaction and implement best practices. Edward Plaisted of Skytrax noted that Korean Air’s consistent high quality of product and staff service across all classes, combined with efficiency and sincerity, were key factors in awarding the 5-Star status. The airline’s modern fleet, including the A380, Boeing 747-8, Boeing 787, and A220, provides an attractive working environment for crew members.

Korean Air’s excellence has been recognized through numerous awards and accolades. The carrier was named one of the world’s top three airlines in the 2025 USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, receiving particular praise for its business cabin and in-flight services. It also ranked third globally for Best Cabin Crew, validating the high standards expected of its flight attendants.

The service culture at Korean Air emphasizes specific expectations regarding speech and communication. Cabin crew are expected to maintain a soothing and calm voice when serving customers. “According to my colleagues at Korean airlines, the atmosphere tends to be more professional and somewhat strict,” Choi explained. “Seniority must be followed, and Korean airlines maintain a specific tone and style when speaking to passengers.” This structured approach to service delivery creates both consistency and clear expectations for those entering the profession.

The appeal of working for Korean Air extends beyond service excellence to include the prestige associated with the brand. In a society where corporate identity carries significant social weight, being associated with the national flag carrier provides status that extends beyond the workplace. This social recognition reinforces the airline’s position as the ultimate career destination for aspiring flight attendants.

Gender Dynamics and Limited Career Alternatives

The intense competition for flight attendant positions cannot be understood without considering the broader gender dynamics in South Korean society. Despite high educational attainment among Korean women, career advancement opportunities remain limited by structural barriers and cultural expectations. South Korea continues to struggle with one of the largest gender pay gaps in the OECD, with women earning 39% less than their male counterparts.

Corporate leadership remains heavily male-dominated, with women holding only 10% of managerial positions and just 1% of board seats. These statistics help explain why flight attendant positions, which offer above-average compensation and clear career progression paths, have become so attractive to ambitious young women. Cho-lee Yeoul, a representative of Ilda, a Korean feminist journal, explained that “a flight attendant is considered a good job, with more perks compared to other careers that are open to women with a bachelor’s degree. Many women think it’s worth it to starve to get the job.”

The challenges facing women in the Korean workforce extend beyond pay inequality to include cultural expectations around marriage and motherhood. Once they have children, many Korean women feel pressured to leave their jobs permanently. If they remain in the workplace, advancement prospects remain limited. In this context, flight attendant positions offer a relatively favorable environment where women can build careers without facing the same level of structural barriers found in traditional corporate settings.

The prevalence of flight attendant careers as an aspiration for young women reflects a troubling reality about limited alternatives. With few clear paths to advancement in other sectors, many talented young women invest tremendous effort in pursuing aviation careers rather than fighting against systemic barriers in other industries. This concentration of female talent in one profession represents both a personal strategy for success and a broader social challenge regarding gender equality in the workplace.

The Marriage Dynamic

The temporary nature of many flight attendant careers in Korea adds another layer to the gender dynamics. Kim, the aspiring flight attendant who has applied nine times, noted that “a lot of girls do this job for five years, and then get married. I’m serious about this for a career, but marriage is the choice of many other girls.” This pattern suggests that flight attendant work is sometimes viewed as an interim career before marriage, rather than a long-term profession.

This perspective is reinforced by the unspoken age limits in hiring, which effectively create a career window for women. By prioritizing candidates under 30, airlines implicitly structure flight attendant work as a phase of life rather than a lifelong career. While some individuals like Choi and Kim view aviation as a long-term profession, the structural incentives and social expectations create pressure to view the job differently.

The relationship between flight attendant careers and marriage also reflects broader social patterns in Korea, where marriage rates have hit record lows and more than 50% of South Koreans in their 20s and 30s no longer view marriage as a necessity. For young women facing difficult choices between career advancement and traditional family expectations, flight attendant positions offer a middle ground that provides professional accomplishment while remaining compatible with eventual transition to family life.

The Future of Flight Attendant Careers in a Changing Korea

The aviation industry in South Korea faces significant changes in the coming years that will affect flight attendant careers. The pending merger between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, expected to finalize this year, will likely reshape the competitive landscape for applicants. This consolidation could reduce the number of available positions while potentially increasing qualifications requirements, making an already competitive process even more challenging.

Beyond industry consolidation, broader social and economic trends will influence the appeal of aviation careers. As South Korea grapples with demographic challenges including the world’s lowest fertility rate of 0.78 children per woman, labor shortages are expected to intensify across many sectors. This dynamic may create opportunities for flight attendants and other service professionals as employers compete for talent in a shrinking workforce.

The changing expectations of Generation MZ, those born between 1980 and 2005 who account for almost a third of Korea’s population, will also influence career preferences. This generation is characterized by digital fluency, greater awareness of social issues, and different attitudes toward work-life balance than their predecessors. While the glamour and travel benefits of flight attendant work remain appealing, younger Koreans may prioritize different aspects of the profession or seek alternative career paths that offer more predictable schedules and long-term stability.

The economic pressures that have made flight attendant positions so attractive are unlikely to abate soon. With housing prices remaining high and youth unemployment persisting above OECD averages, young Koreans will continue seeking career paths that offer financial security and social recognition. In this context, flight attendant careers are likely to maintain their appeal, even as the industry evolves and competition remains intense.

The Reality Behind the Romance

Despite the intense competition and glamour associated with flight attendant careers in South Korea, the reality of the job involves significant challenges that applicants must carefully consider. The physical demands include long hours on foot at high altitude, irregular schedules that disrupt sleep patterns and social relationships, and the need to maintain a professional demeanor regardless of personal circumstances. The day-to-day tasks involve waiting on cranky passengers, eating airplane food regularly, and dealing with the health effects of frequent travel across time zones.

The psychological challenges can be equally demanding. Flight attendants must consistently provide exceptional service while managing difficult passenger situations, maintaining safety protocols, and representing their airline’s brand image. The emotional labor required to remain pleasant and professional in challenging circumstances represents a significant but often overlooked aspect of the job.

For those who successfully navigate these challenges, the rewards can be substantial. Beyond the financial benefits and travel opportunities, flight attendants develop valuable skills in communication, crisis management, cross-cultural competency, and customer service that transfer to other career paths. Many former flight attendants successfully transition to roles in hospitality, corporate training, human resources, and entertainment, leveraging the skills and networks developed during their aviation careers.

The romanticized image of flight attendant work in South Korea, reminiscent of the “golden age” of flying depicted in shows like “Pan Am,” captures only part of the story. While the glamour and excitement are real for those who value travel and new experiences, the profession requires dedication, resilience, and hard work that extends far beyond what social media typically portrays. Young Koreans considering this career path must weigh both the substantial benefits and significant challenges before committing to the demanding preparation process.

Key Points

• Flight attendant careers in South Korea attract approximately 20,000 applicants annually with acceptance rates under 1%
• Starting salaries around $25,000 annually with potential to reach $55,000 for senior crew, plus benefits like free housing and travel discounts
• Korean Air holds 5-Star Skytrax certification and ranks among world’s top three airlines for cabin service
• Applicants spend thousands on specialized training academies preparing for rigorous selection processes including English proficiency tests, physical exams, and multiple interview rounds
• The profession offers one of the few high-status career paths available to young women in Korea’s male-dominated corporate environment
• Physical appearance standards lead many applicants to undergo plastic surgery and extensive grooming preparation
• Upcoming merger between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines expected to intensify competition further
• The job involves significant challenges including irregular hours, physical demands, and emotional labor despite glamorous public perception