Cabin crew ‘Returnship’ initiative helps over-50s soar to new heights

easyJet is launching a new recruitment drive for cabin crew with more over 50s, careers changers and those looking to ‘unretire’ among those being encouraged to apply.

The airline has launched a new initiative dubbed ‘Returnships’, after new research showed that three quarters of over 50’s (74 per cent) agreed that this was the perfect time for a new career and 67 per cent have considered returning to work.

As part of the campaign, the airline will offer free online cabin crew career info sessions and a hands-on cabin crew training taster session at its London Gatwick cabin crew training centre, to give those considering a new career the opportunity to find out more about the job from the airline’s crew training and recruitment experts.

Since launching its first campaign in 2022 to show that anyone with the right skills regardless of their age can become cabin crew, the airline has seen the number of new hires over the age of 50 more than double, while the number of over 60s joining as cabin crew has increased four times over.

With the latest ONS data showing that the employment rate for those over 50 is increasing again, easyJet wants to encourage more of this experienced and skilled demographic to apply for the hundreds of cabin crew roles available for 2025 in many of easyJet’s bases across the UK, to bring their valuable experience to the profession.

New research of 2,000 Brits over 50 revealed that 67 per cent of over 50s have considered returning to work and nearly half (46 per cent) have considered a new career.

The majority agreed that the main reason for doing so would be to take on a new challenge (82 per cent), while 77 per cent agreed this would be to have many experiences as possible and two thirds agreed the change would be to pursue a dream job (66 per cent).

When asked what their main motivation would be, over a third said they enjoyed working and keeping busy, while a similar number wanted to find a role they were passionate about (30 per cent).

Seventy-four per cent agreed the perfect time to make a career change was after 50, with 63 per cent saying this was down to the wealth of transferrable skills and experiences they’ve acquired that are valuable for many careers, while 40 per cent said they had more freedom, for example because children have left home.

When it came to becoming cabin crew 71 per cent of those survey believed that their age would stop them being accepted for the job, while 16 per cent believed that they could not apply above the age of 30.

Half (49 per cent) mistakenly believe the role would have to mean being away from home for long periods of time and nearly a third (32 per cent) said they thought it wouldn’t offer them the flexibility they were looking for.

A quarter (24 per cent) believed that they would need to learn a second language in addition to English to be considered for the role.  

easyJet’s ‘Returnship’ initiative will offer those who are curious about the career but thought it may have been out of reach the opportunity to learn more about the job and application process directly from easyJet’s recruitment and training experts, as well hearing from those cabin crew who made the move themselves in their 50s.

 Michael Brown, director of Cabin Services at easyJet, said: “Since launching our campaign to encourage more over 50s and career changers to become cabin crew, we’ve been delighted by the fantastic response with many more joining us and we want to see that continue.

“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 for even more talented people looking for a new opportunity who can bring their wealth of life experience to the industry.

“So, if you’re passionate about working with people and want a job that’s different every day, then we would absolutely encourage you to apply and can’t wait to welcome you on board as part of the team.”

 easyJet’s Returnship events are now live, with free places on its online careers events and Cabin Crew Open Day available to book .