Budget carrier easyJet is wooing the over-50s in its new cabin crew recruitment drive, with career-changers and those looking to ‘unretire’ among those being targeted.
Its ‘Returnships’ campaign comes as new research showed that three quarters of over-50s (74%) agreed that this was the perfect age for a new career and 67% have considered returning to work.
Potential applicants can find out more via online sessions or a taster session at easyJet’s Gatwick cabin crew training centre.
Since a campaign in 2022 highlighting how anyone with the right skills can become crew, regardless of their age, the airline has seen recruits aged over 50 more than double, while the number of over-60s joining as cabin crew has increased four-fold.
Hundreds of cabin crew roles are available for 2025 in many of easyJet’s bases across the UK.
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New research by the airline among 2,000 Brits aged 50+ revealed that 67% have considered returning to work and nearly half (46%) have considered a new career.
Most (82%) agreed the main reason would be to take on a new challenge, while 77% agreed this would be to have many experiences as possible and two thirds agreed the change would be to pursue a dream job (66%).
More than a third said they enjoyed working and keeping busy, while a similar number wanted to find a role about which they were passionate.
When asked why they had not yet taken the leap, 28% believed they were at a disadvantage against younger candidates and 20% didn’t know if they would qualify.
A quarter (24%) believed that they would need to learn a second language in addition to English to be considered for the role.
Michael Brown, cabin services director at easyJet, said: “Being cabin crew can be a job for anyone with the skills, no matter their age.
“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.
“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.”