Wizz Air, a Hungarian low-cost airline, is expanding its base in Luton. They are recruiting cabin and flight crew over the next two months, experience not required.
Starting today, and running through to late April, Wizz Air will be hosting a series of events in Luton offering aspiring cabin crew the chance to learn more about the airline, and apply on the day for cabin crew positions. They welcome applications from experienced crew, as well as those with no previous experience at all.
Candidates should be prepared for a full day of activities, including personal introductions, situational role play, team exercises and an individual interview. What does that involve and what are they looking for?
What to expect
I was cabin crew with British Airways for eight years, so have some knowledge of this. Recruiters will be looking for people who are ‘team players’, which is critical to providing a high-quality inflight service. They will want to see good communication skills, with a second language a definite plus. They will want people who are friendly and fun, and who take pride in providing good customer service.
There’s a serious side to the job, and that is safety. Cabin crew are there primarily to ensure passengers are safe – it’s a legal requirement. If a passenger is taken ill, crew are trained in advanced First Aid. In the event of an accident, crew are there to get the doors open, and help passengers evacuate; or if an oven sets on fire, they need to extinguish it. All this is covered in initial training with exams at the end – and then every twelve months after that. It’s a critical part of the job that isn’t always appreciated by applicants. This will almost certainly come up in the interview – yes you’re there to deliver a great service, but your primary reason is for passenger safety.
The job is hard work – you’re on your feet all day and during the flight, the aircraft is pressurised to around 5-6,000 ft, which means less oxygen, leading to fatigue. For these reasons, they will be looking for people who are fit and healthy. For safety reasons, there’s a minimum height requirement of around 158 cm (5’2”).
Some do’s and don’ts
Do:
- Ensure you are ‘well groomed’: well-dressed, neat hair and polished shoes.
- Prepare for questions on your experiences in dealing with people; be able to give them positive examples.
- Find out about the airline – learn who they are, where they fly to, and what their mission and values are.
Don’t:
- Tell them you’re applying for the staff discount or for the travel!
- Be too loud, or too quiet.
- Let your guard down during lunch – they’ll be watching you and how you interact with others.
The last two years have – against all odds given the pandemic – seen the airline expand its services, hence the recruitment drive. “Regardless of experience,” Marion Geoffroy, Wizz Air’s UK Managing Director explains, “we are committed to offering our crews a clear career path and opportunities to develop, as well as roster patterns to allow for an improved work-life balance. We look forward to meeting aspiring cabin crew at our recruitment events, to learn more about the exciting opportunities we have on offer.”
Cabin crew: how to apply
Ten recruitment events will be held in Luton in February, March, and April. Candidates are expected to arrive promptly at 9am, with an up-to-date CV. Enthusiastic candidates who have always dreamed of a career in the sky can apply online here.
DATE | LOCATION |
24 February 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
2 March 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
10 March 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
15 March 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
21 March 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
7 April 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
12 April 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
19 April 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
26 April 2022 | Courtyard by Marriott Luton Airport, Airport Way, Luton, LU2 9LF |
Pilots: how to apply
Wizz Air is also recruiting new pilots who will have the opportunity to operate the airline’s Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The airline welcomes applications from experienced captains and first officers, as well as those with no flying experience at all. Candidates who are interested can apply online.
So, one day, if you’re successful in your application, and you’re sitting in a bar in Barcelona, when someone asks you if you’ve just wafted in from paradise, you can say, “No, Luton Airport!”