EasyJet to launch drive for over-50s cabin crew

EasyJet is offering taster sessions for over-50s

Budget airline EasyJet is launching a recruitment drive aimed at people aged over 50.

The campaign is called Returnships and the company is offering taster sessions at its London Gatwick training centre.

EasyJet said it had carried out research which showed that half of over-50s had considered a new career.

Michael Brown, director of cabin services at the airline, said being cabin crew could be a job for anyone, "no matter their age".

Respondents to the EasyJet research believed their age would stop them being accepted for a cabin crew job.

"Being cabin crew can be a job for anyone with the skills, no matter their age, which is why it's important that through our initiatives like our Returnship campaign, we tackle misconceptions about the job and broaden horizons," said Mr Brown.

Since the Covid pandemic, there has been repeated disruption at airports caused by staff shortages.

Travel journalist Lisa Francesca-Nand said cabin crew was a "great career" to go into later in life as you can work part-time and it is reasonably flexible.

She said: "In the UK we've always seen cabin crew as younger people but that's not the same the world over.

"In the US there are lots of people in their 50s, 60s and even 70s having very successful careers still as cabin crew."

Ms Francesca-Nand added that the industry had "great perks" with free and discounted travel.

Jackie Stacey wanted to return to the profession to travel more

British Airways stewardess Jackie Stacey, who is 65, says she hopes the drive works.

Ms Stacey was an air stewardess in the 80s, and re-joined after the pandemic in her 60s.

The grandmother, who is from Kenley in Surrey, says: “I think it’s a good idea because I think over-50s have a lot to give. We have lots of life experiences.”

She explained that she was worried her age might have stood in the way of returning to the profession, but found the age of cabin crew staff was more varied than before.

"I thought everybody was going to be younger, but in my class there were at least another three or four people who were closer to my age.”