Into the long run, opportunities for persons seeking flight attendant careers should improve as the airline industry continues to recover from the effects of September 11, 2001, and the downturn in the economy. Employment of flight attendants is expected to grow about as fast as standard for all occupations through the year 2014. Population growth and an improving economy are expected to boost the number of airline passengers. As airlines increase their capacity to meet growing demand by increasing the number and size of planes in operation, more flight attendants will be needed. Over the next decade, though, demand for flight attendants will fluctuate with the demand for air travel, which is highly sensitive to swings in the economy. During downturns, as air traffic declines, the hiring of flight attendants declines, and some skilled attendants may be laid off until traffic recovers.

Despite the improving outlook, competition is expected to be keen because this job commonly attracts more applicants than there are jobs, with only the most qualified eventually being hired. College graduates who have experience dealing with the public should have the best chance of being hired. Job chances may be better with the faster growing regional and commuter, low-fare, and charter airlines. There also are job chances for professionally trained flight attendants to work for companies operating private aircraft for their executives.

The majority of job openings through the year 2014 will arise from the need to replace flight attendants who leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations, often for higher earnings or a more stable lifestyle. With the job now viewed increasingly as a profession, however, fewer flight attendants leave their jobs, and job turnover is not as high as in the past. The standard job tenure of attendants is currently more than 7 years and is increasing.