easyJet More Than Doubles Over-50 Cabin Crew as New UK Recruitment Drive Opens for 2027

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

See Full Bio

August 25, 2026 5:25 PM

Image generated with Ai

easyJet has increased over-50 cabin crew by 127% since 2022 and will open hundreds of UK roles for 2027, highlighting growing opportunities for experienced workers and a major shift in travel and tourism careers.

easyJet is opening hundreds of UK cabin crew roles for 2027 after the number of over-50 crew members rose 127%, showing how travel and tourism careers are attracting experienced workers. easyJet is widening its appeal to older workers as it prepares to open hundreds of cabin crew vacancies across the UK for 2027. Since 2022, the airline has increased its number of cabin crew aged over 50 by 127%, while its over-60 workforce has almost quadrupled.

The latest recruitment push comes as new research highlights the benefits of changing careers later in life, including greater happiness, confidence and fulfilment. Travel and tourism emerged as the most attractive sector for career changers aged over 50. Meanwhile, easyJet says experienced workers bring transferable skills, life experience and a valuable perspective to modern cabin crew teams.

Summary

1. easyJet has increased its over-50 cabin crew workforce by 127% since 2022.
2. Hundreds of new UK cabin crew roles will open for 2027 from September 2026.
3. Travel and tourism remain attractive sectors for people changing careers after 50.
4. Older cabin crew bring experience, confidence, communication and problem-solving skills.
5. easyJet says multigenerational teams benefit colleagues, passengers and the airline.

easyJet Expands Over-50 Cabin Crew Workforce as New Recruitment Drive Begins

easyJet is preparing to open hundreds of cabin crew opportunities across its UK bases for 2027, while encouraging more people aged over 50 to consider a career in aviation. The move follows a significant increase in older cabin crew since the airline began focusing on experienced workers in 2022.

The airline says the number of cabin crew aged over 50 has increased by 127% since then. At the same time, the number of crew members aged over 60 has almost quadrupled, highlighting a broader shift towards multigenerational employment in the travel industry.

Why Are More Over-50s Choosing New Careers?

Research commissioned by easyJet found that 80% of UK adults who changed careers after turning 50 reported becoming happier overall. In addition, 71% experienced greater confidence, while 78% said their career change helped them regain a sense of control over their work and lives.

The findings also show that 74% believed their 50s were an ideal time to change careers, while 69% said the experience helped them understand what they genuinely wanted from employment.

Travel and tourism ranked as the most attractive sector for people seeking a career change after 50. Creative arts, media and design followed, with health, science and care also featuring prominently.

For the wider travel industry, the findings underline the growing value of experienced employees who can combine professional knowledge with strong interpersonal skills.

What Skills Can Older Cabin Crew Bring?

easyJet says older applicants can bring highly transferable abilities to cabin crew roles. Problem-solving was identified by 40% of respondents as a key strength, followed by calmly managing stressful or unexpected situations at 35%.

Strong communication skills were also highlighted by 33% of those surveyed.

The airline’s 2024 Returnships initiative provided free online and in-person cabin crew taster sessions for hundreds of potential career changers over 50. The programme aimed to challenge the perception that cabin crew is primarily a profession for younger workers.

One participant, Francesca Hicks, joined easyJet aged 64 after working as a secretary and nurse supporting people living with dementia. After completing training, she became a fully qualified cabin crew member and has since flown more than 250 times.

How Is Multigenerational Crew Changing Travel?

The growth of older cabin crew is also creating a stronger culture of mentorship across easyJet’s workforce. More than half of surveyed over-50 crew members, or 53%, said they felt like mentors to younger colleagues.

Meanwhile, 76% said they felt welcomed and believed age did not matter onboard. Customer reactions have also been positive, according to the research, with 55% of crew saying travellers often express delight when they see people from their own age group operating flights.

For the tourism and travel sectors, such representation can strengthen the connection between employees and passengers while challenging traditional assumptions about age and employment.

What Happens Next for easyJet Recruitment?

Applications for easyJet cabin crew positions will open in September 2026, with hundreds of opportunities expected across the airline’s UK bases for 2027.

Michael Brown, easyJet’s Director of Cabin Services, said experienced applicants bring existing skills and life experience that are valued by colleagues and customers.

The airline’s latest recruitment campaign therefore reflects more than a staffing requirement. It also points to a changing employment landscape in travel and tourism, where career transitions later in life are becoming increasingly accepted.

With 79% of surveyed career changers saying their age is an asset rather than a workplace barrier, easyJet is positioning cabin crew as an option for people seeking a fresh professional direction well beyond their 50s.

The rise in older easyJet cabin crew is being driven by changing attitudes towards later-life careers, stronger demand for meaningful work and growing recognition of transferable skills. The answer is a more inclusive travel workforce where age is increasingly treated as an advantage rather than a barrier. The reason is practical: experienced workers can bring communication, problem-solving, composure and interpersonal skills that are valuable in aviation and tourism. easyJet’s 127% increase in over-50 cabin crew since 2022 demonstrates this shift. Its new recruitment campaign could encourage more experienced workers to enter travel, while strengthening mentorship and creating a more representative passenger experience.

easyJet’s latest recruitment campaign highlights a significant change in the travel and tourism workforce. The airline has more than doubled its over-50 cabin crew numbers since 2022, while employees aged over 60 have nearly quadrupled. Research suggests later-life career changes can improve happiness, confidence, fulfilment and workplace motivation. Travel and tourism also emerged as the leading sector for people seeking a new career after 50. With hundreds of UK cabin crew positions planned for 2027, easyJet is opening another route into aviation for experienced professionals. The development shows how multigenerational teams can support passengers, colleagues and the wider travel industry.