EasyJet’s over-50s are proving it’s never too late for a fresh start

Francesca Hicks spent years caring for dementia patients and working as a secretary before deciding, at 64, to try something completely different. Eighteen months later, she’s clocked up more than 250 flights.

EasyJet has shone a light on who’s working its cabin, with new figures showing older recruits are joining the airline in record numbers. For anyone dreaming of a fresh start later in life, this could be the encouragement they need.

Cabin crew numbers have more than doubled since 2022

Crew aged over 50 have jumped by 127 per cent since easyJet first launched its drive to attract older applicants, while those over 60 have nearly quadrupled. Roughly one in ten crew members now fall into that older bracket, and bosses want the figure to climb further still. Hundreds of new roles for 2027 open for applications from September, spanning bases right across the UK will come as welcome news for anyone weighing up a new career.

Why so many are choosing to change direction

New Censuswide research commissioned by easyJet found four in five UK adults who changed careers after 50 reported feeling happier as a result. Nearly three-quarters said they felt more capable, and 71 per cent noticed a genuine boost in confidence. Wanting more flexibility topped the list of motivations, followed by greater job satisfaction and a desire for new experiences. Travel and tourism emerged as the single most popular sector for later-life switchers, ahead of creative industries and healthcare.

Older crew members say they’ve become an important part of the team dynamic. More than half reported acting as informal mentors to younger colleagues, and three-quarters said age simply doesn’t matter once they’re on board. Passengers seem to agree. Over half of crew surveyed said travellers often comment on seeing people their own age working the flight, calling it a genuinely welcome sight.

Skills built over a lifetime

Problem-solving, staying calm under pressure and strong communication were named as the biggest transferable skills older recruits bring with them. Nearly eight in ten now see their age as an asset rather than a barrier stamping out any doubts many held before applying, when over a quarter feared cabin crew work was reserved for younger workers.

Michael Brown, easyJet’s Director of Cabin Services, said he hopes even more people will consider the move as recruitment ramps up for 2027, adding that older joiners bring “a wealth of life experience” valued by customers and colleagues. Anyone interested in making the change should check out EasyJet’s careers page and see where the world could take you.