easyJet launches recruitment drive to inspire young people into cabin crew careers

easyJet has launched a new recruitment initiative aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career as cabin crew, as the airline looks to hire nearly 1,000 new recruits for 2026.

The campaign, called Flight Paths, specifically targets young adults not currently in education, employment or training (NEET), to highlight how accessible and rewarding the role can be. It comes as thousands of school leavers await their A-level results and consider their next steps.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, almost one million young people in the UK are classed as NEET – representing 12.5% of the youth population. easyJet says growth in the aviation sector and cabin crew recruitment could help bring that number down.

However, research commissioned by the airline suggests many misconceptions about the role are discouraging applications. In a survey of 2,000 people aged 16–24, more than nine in ten (92%) were unaware that no minimum educational qualifications are required to become cabin crew. Two-thirds of respondents wrongly believed they would be underqualified for training.

Almost nine in ten young people surveyed said they had never considered a career with an airline, despite more than half expressing interest in working in aviation. Gender stereotypes were also found to be a barrier, with 89% of young men recognising the perception that cabin crew roles are primarily for women. More than a third (38%) of men admitted they would not have considered the job for that reason.

To tackle these barriers, easyJet will host free Flight Paths taster sessions at its London Gatwick Training Centre this summer. The hands-on sessions will give young people the chance to hear directly from cabin crew and training experts, while gaining an insight into the skills and opportunities the role can offer.

Michael Brown, Director of Cabin Services at easyJet, said: “We want to show young people that being cabin crew is more than just a job – it’s a career filled with variety, teamwork and opportunity, which has so much to offer to so many people as well as offering a pathway to progress in working within our wider industry too.  

“If you have enthusiasm, people skills and a willingness to learn something new, our taster sessions could be the perfect first step towards a new opportunity. We can’t wait to welcome a new generation of cabin crew on board.” 

Aviation Minister Mike Kane added: “It’s fantastic to see British firm easyJet investing in our young people, encouraging and inspiring them into careers in aviation. We are determined to break down barriers to opportunity in the UK to deliver our Plan for Change so everyone can pursue and progress in rewarding careers.”

To further support potential applicants, easyJet staff have also shared their experiences in a series of audio recordings on SoundCloud, offering insights into training, career progression and tips for the application process.

Natalie Puncher, who joined easyJet as cabin crew in 2002 and is now Head of Customer and Inflight Standards, said her decision to apply straight after school was life-changing.

“I joined easyJet as cabin crew a year after leaving school and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve gained so much confidence, met amazing people and travelled to places I never thought I’d see, all while building a career. Every day is different and I’ve learnt skills that I’ll carry with me for life.” 

The recruitment drive is part of easyJet’s wider commitment to supporting early careers and youth employment, including its Enterprise Advisors Programme, which sees staff work with schools near its bases at Luton and Gatwick to offer career advice and mentoring.

To book a place on easyJet’s 18-24s free Flight Paths cabin crew taster sessions, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/easyjet-flight-paths-cabin-crew-taster-sessions-tickets-1591307877699