Life at altitude and across time zones
Pushing heavy trolleys up a sloping aisle and lifting bags into lockers strains your back and shoulders. Turbulence can throw you off balance without warning. Long haul rosters cross time zones and disturb sleep, and early report times make short haul tiring too.
You need to stay medically fit to fly. A condition that would not stop an office worker, such as an ear problem, can keep you grounded.
Working abroad and how insurers see it
Insurers ask about overseas travel as part of the application. Layovers in other countries are normal for cabin crew and most insurers are used to them. You will usually need to be resident in the UK and based here.
Some insurers may limit claims made while you are outside the UK for long periods. Read how each policy handles a claim that starts abroad.
- Say whether you fly short haul, long haul or both
- List regular destinations if asked
- Tell the insurer if you are based outside the UK for any part of the year
Airline pay, allowances and sick pay
Crew pay often combines a basic salary with flying pay, allowances and commission on sales. Insurers usually base benefit on taxable earnings, and some allowances may not count. Check your payslips with an adviser before setting a benefit level.
Many airlines pay company sick pay for a period. Match your deferred period to when that ends. Insurers place cabin crew in a risk class that affects price and the incapacity definition.
Career changes and moving to the ground
Some crew move into ground roles, training or management after years of flying. If your job changes, tell your insurer, as it can affect your risk class. A move to an office role may reduce your premium, and you keep the cover you have built up.
If you join an airline based overseas, cover becomes harder. Most UK insurers require you to live in the UK, so moving abroad could affect an existing policy or your ability to take out a new one. Speak to us before you relocate, because arranging cover while still UK resident can give you more options.
Critical illness cover is worth considering too. It pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a listed condition, whatever your job.
How Hi Tomorrow helps cabin crew
We compare insurers on how they treat time abroad and fitness to fly, and we work out what your airline benefits already cover. That way you top up where it matters.
We also look at life cover that stays with you if you change airline. Our UK team gives advice without a fee.