Occupation intelligence

steward/stewardess

Snapshot

Enjoy a dynamic career providing exceptional service while traveling the world? As a steward/stewardess, you'll be the face of hospitality on planes, trains, and ships, ensuring passenger comfort and satisfaction.

Summary

Steward/stewardesses are vital members of travel service teams, responsible for delivering high-quality food and beverage service and creating a positive experience for passengers. This role requires excellent customer service skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. You'll interact with diverse passengers, addressing their needs and ensuring their journey is pleasant and memorable.

Key responsibilities
  • • Preparing and serving food and beverages according to established standards.
  • • Maintaining cleanliness and order within the passenger area.
  • • Providing assistance and addressing passenger inquiries and concerns.

Enjoy a dynamic career providing exceptional service while traveling the world? As a steward/stewardess, you'll be the face of hospitality on planes, trains, and ships, ensuring passenger comfort and satisfaction.

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism Primary education
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Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Day in the life

A typical day as a steward/stewardess

09
09:00 · Morning
assist passengers
Provide help to people getting in and out of their car or any other transportation vehicle, by opening doors, provide physical support or hold belongings. Keep safety measures and procedures in mind.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
handle financial transactions
Administer currencies, financial exchange activities, deposits as well as company and voucher payments. Prepare and manage guest accounts and take payments by cash, credit card and debit card.
12
12:00 · Midday
serve food in table service
Provide food at the table whilst maintaining high level of customer service and food safety standards.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
comply with food safety and hygiene
Respect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
greet guests
Welcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
handle customer complaints
Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Accellos Real DispatchCommercial vehicle operations CVO softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareGeneral ledger softwareInventory management systemsMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordPoint of sale POS softwareSAP softwareScheduling softwareTimekeeping softwareWeb browser softwareWork scheduling software
Knowledge areas
  • air transport law

    The rules and regulations governing air transport, including international law.

  • airport planning

    The principles and procedures that govern the development of airports in order to meet the demand for aviation services and comply with the applicable regulations.

  • common aviation safety regulations

    The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.

  • physical parts of the vessel

    The different physical components of the vessel and their maintenance and care effort.

  • vessel safety equipment

    Safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc, and how these must be operated during emergency situations.

Cross-sector skills
  • health and safety measures in transportation
Essential skills
accompanying and welcoming people
  • greet guests

    Welcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.

  • assist passengers

    Provide help to people getting in and out of their car or any other transportation vehicle, by opening doors, provide physical support or hold belongings. Keep safety measures and procedures in mind.

complying with health and safety procedures
  • comply with food safety and hygiene

    Respect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.

responding to complaints
  • handle customer complaints

    Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.

serving food and drinks
  • serve food in table service

    Provide food at the table whilst maintaining high level of customer service and food safety standards.

promoting products, services, or programs
  • maintain customer service

    Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.

executing financial transactions
  • handle financial transactions

    Administer currencies, financial exchange activities, deposits as well as company and voucher payments. Prepare and manage guest accounts and take payments by cash, credit card and debit card.

Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

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Career landscape

Where does steward/stewardess fit?

This role
steward/stewardess This role
Growth paths

Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What kind of training do steward/stewardesses receive?
Training typically includes comprehensive instruction on safety procedures, food and beverage service protocols, customer service techniques, and emergency response. Specific training programs vary depending on the employer (airline, cruise line, train company).
Are there specific physical requirements for this role?
Yes, the role can be physically demanding. You may need to stand for extended periods, lift trays of food and beverages, and assist passengers with mobility needs. Employers often have specific height and weight requirements.
What are the typical working hours like for a steward/stewardess?
Working hours are often irregular and can include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Schedules are frequently determined by travel routes and passenger demand, requiring flexibility and adaptability.