Andy Burnham's government has issued a statement praising easyJet's new recruitment drive, which aims to hire more older workers as cabin crew. The airline, which flies from Birmingham and competes with Ryanair, TUI, Jet2 and others, is urging more over-50s to apply for roles as air hosts and hostesses.
Minister welcomes move
The recruitment initiative has been celebrated by Labour Party employment minister Andrew Western. He said: “Supportive employers like easyJet know the breadth of experience over-50s can bring to the workforce and it shows what can be achieved when this is valued.”
Applications for the cabin crew roles open from September, according to the airline.
What easyJet says about the roles
EasyJet described the role, stating: “Our Cabin Crew are the warm welcome on every flight, helping customers feel relaxed, looked after and in safe hands.
“Our teams come from all kinds of backgrounds and fly an amazing range of routes – but there’s one thing that never changes: our Orange Spirit. That’s the mindset you’ll need here. Positive, inclusive and ready to take on every challenge with confidence and a smile – at every altitude.”
The airline added: “It’s a big lifestyle shift for many people – this isn’t your usual Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 job. You’ll work to a roster, which could mean early starts, late finishes and weekend shifts. But you’ll also get proper time off to rest and recharge between flights. If you love variety, Cabin Crew is for you.
“It’s fast-paced in every sense – and that includes your career. You can apply to become a Cabin Manager after just 12 months as Crew.”
Numbers of over-50s crew double since 2022
Michael Brown, easyJet director of cabin services, said: “It’s been incredibly encouraging to see the numbers of cabin crew over 50 more than double since 2022 – evidence that many are increasingly viewing cabin crew as a fantastic career pivot regardless of age.
“We want more over-50s to apply as they not only bring their existing skills to excel in a career at easyJet, but also a wealth of life experience that is appreciated by our customers and colleagues alike, which is at the heart of the fantastic service our crew are known for.”
The move reflects a wider trend of airlines seeking to diversify their workforce and tap into the experience of older employees, with easyJet reporting that the number of cabin crew aged over 50 has more than doubled since 2022.
