As one of the first points of contact for passengers, the role of a flight attendant demands a high level of professionalism, safety, and customer service.
Setting SMART goals enables flight attendants to concentrate on specific areas for personal and professional growth, ultimately benefiting the passengers in the long run.
In this article, we will provide examples of SMART goals for flight attendants with detailed explanations of each SMART criterion to inspire them to enhance their job performance.
What is a SMART Goal?
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. Applying these criteria to your goal setting can bring value to your passengers and airline.
Let’s dive deeper into each SMART component:
Specific
Establishing specific goals encourages clarity and direction. While vague goals are hard to accomplish, specificity makes it much easier to identify what tasks must be done.
To illustrate, aiming to “improve communication with passengers” can be refined by specifying the precise goal of engaging in conversations and explaining procedures to all passengers.
Measurable
Measurable goals allow every party involved to monitor progress effectively. You will find tracking and quantifying your results more manageable over time. By then, you’ll take the necessary steps to finally knock down your milestones one by one.
Attainable
When pursuing goals, consider your current abilities and strengths. Unrealistic aspirations may lead to frustration for both you and your airline. So try to create goals that fall within your existing skill set to boost confidence in your performance as a flight attendant.
Relevant
Relevant goals focus on what’s important to you at a core level. As a flight attendant, ask yourself, “What parts of my job bring me the most joy?” or “What do I value most about my role?” By understanding your values, you can pursue meaningful goals that align with them.
Time-Based
A robust timeline helps prioritize tasks according to their urgency and importance. For instance, suppose you want to “complete all required training modules before the end of the month.” This goal provides a deadline to manage your time better.
13 SMART Goals Examples for Flight Attendants
Below are some examples of SMART goals for flight attendants:
1. Reduce Passenger Complaints
“My aim is to reduce passenger complaints about their flying experience by 10% in a year. I plan to improve customer service, using feedback from my passengers and helping them have a pleasant journey.”
Specific: The SMART goal defines how the flight attendant will enhance the flying experience and by how much improvement.
Measurable: Improvements will be measured by a 10% reduction in passenger complaints.
Attainable: This is achievable with proper data analysis and implementing changes based on feedback.
Relevant: Minimizing complaints is an appropriate goal for any flight attendant.
Time-based: Goal completion should be anticipated within one year.
2. Improve Your Language Skills
“I’ll strive to improve my foreign language skills by taking at least two classes in a new language within 6 months. I hope to be able to converse with passengers from all over the world respectfully and courteously.”
Specific: The goal outlines that the flight attendant will learn a new language.
Measurable: Ensure you complete at least two language courses within 6 months.
Attainable: Learning a language is possible by taking courses on the topic.
Relevant: This statement is suitable for conversing with passengers from different walks of life.
Time-based: You should ideally expect success after 6 whole months.
3. Upgrade Passenger Amenities
“I want to upgrade the onboard amenities offered by my airline over the 6 months ahead. I’ll ensure my airline provides the latest amenities, such as streaming music and in-flight Wi-Fi, to make the flight experience more enjoyable for our customers.”
Specific: The flight attendant will upgrade in-flight amenities offered by the airline.
Measurable: Check whether or not you’ve upgraded the different amenities available.
Attainable: Improving in-flight amenities is feasible with proper research and implementation.
Relevant: This statement is pertinent to enhancing the flight experience for passengers.
Time-based: Six months are required to accomplish this particular goal.
4. Enhance Cabin Cleanliness
“To foster a safe and pleasant experience for all passengers, I will maintain the highest standards of cleanliness in the cabin. I plan to implement a daily cleaning routine and checklists completed on each shift within two months.”
Specific: This is explicit about implementing a daily cleaning routine and checklists on each shift.
Measurable: You can assess the use of cleaning checklists and see the daily completion of tasks.
Attainable: Maintaining high cabin cleanliness standards is doable, given an appropriate routine and checklists.
Relevant: You should know that cabin cleanliness relates to the overall comfort of passengers.
Time-based: There is a two-month window to achieve the SMART goal.
5. Implement New Food Offerings
“I will work with the catering department to deliver new food offerings on long-haul and international flights. In four months, the passengers should have access to various food options that meet strict dietary and cultural requirements.”
Specific: You have precise actions—you’ll work with the catering department to provide new food options.
Measurable: You can count the number of food options offered over time.
Attainable: This is definitely possible with collaboration with the catering department.
Relevant: Providing new food options is relevant to meeting the needs of passengers.
Time-based: Goal attainment will be met over the next four months.
6. Boost Communication With Passengers
“I want to increase communication with passengers during each flight. Within 5 months, I hope to have created better relationships with passengers by engaging in conversations and explaining regulations or procedures to them in an effective manner.”
Specific: The goal outlines what to do (boost communication) and how long it should take (5 months).
Measurable: You could ask passengers to provide feedback on their overall experience.
Attainable: Communicating with passengers is achievable and can be done during each flight.
Relevant: Having better relationships with passengers reflects an ability to communicate effectively.
Time-based: Achievement of this goal is expected over the 5 months ahead.
7. Facilitate Smooth Transitions During Flights
“Within the following 5 months, I will ensure that all flights I’m on run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. That involves facilitating transitions between different stages of the flight and anticipating potential issues before they arise.”
Specific: You know what is expected of you: ensuring a smooth transition between different stages of the flight.
Measurable: You should be able to measure the transition and how efficiently it proceeded.
Attainable: If you stay organized and anticipate potential issues, this is a realistic goal.
Relevant: Encouraging smooth transitions is part of the job as a flight attendant.
Time-based: You should aim to complete the SMART goal within 5 months.
8. Improve In-Flight Safety Experience
“I’ll enhance the in-flight safety experience by developing improved safety materials, including videos and new guidelines, that all passengers easily understand. I will strive to simplify this process over the next two months.”
Specific: This explains the ideal outcome (enhance passengers’ in-flight experience through guidelines and safety materials).
Measurable: You could evaluate the effectiveness of safety materials and guidelines.
Attainable: The goal is feasible within two months by simplifying the process.
Relevant: This is relevant to ensuring the safety and security of passengers.
Time-based: You have two whole months to complete this certain goal.
9. Promote Professionalism
“I will act professionally while on duty and hold myself accountable if customer service issues arise. In three months, I should be held to a high standard of customer service that reflects positively on the airline.”
Specific: This goal focuses on acting professionally and providing high-quality customer service.
Measurable: Success can be measured by evaluating customer feedback on a regular basis.
Attainable: This is possible by acting professionally and providing quality service to customers.
Relevant: The statement is to ensure the airline carries a positive reputation.
Time-based: Goal achievement will be reached after 5 months.
10. Reduce Waste Onboard
“To minimize the environmental impact of air travel, I’ll strive to improve policies and procedures related to onboard waste disposal for this quarter. This includes reducing plastic waste and working with airlines to ensure leftovers are recycled or donated whenever possible.”
Specific: The aim is to reduce onboard waste by improving policies and procedures related to waste disposal.
Measurable: Tracking the amount of waste reduced, plastic waste eliminated, and the number of items recycled or donated.
Attainable: If you dedicate enough time and effort, this SMART goal is absolutely possible.
Relevant: Fostering environmental sustainability is essential for flight attendants.
Time-based: You have this entire quarter to complete this goal.
11. Increase Work Productivity
“I will increase my work productivity by 15% before the end of 7 months, focusing on time management, clear communication, and delegation of tasks.”
Specific: You’ll boost work productivity by 15% within the next 7 months.
Measurable: This goal is measurable by tracking the progress of work productivity over the next 7 months.
Attainable: Make sure you follow the action items, such as time management, communication, and delegating tasks.
Relevant: This relates to maximizing efficiency and effectiveness on the job.
Time-based: There is a 7-month deadline for long-term success.
12. Become a Role Model
“I’ll become a role model for other flight attendants by showing exemplary behavior and offering advice to new crew members within 8 months. I will be a positive example for others to follow and be someone others can turn to for guidance.”
Specific: Be a role model by exhibiting exemplary behavior and supporting crew members.
Measurable: Assess feedback from other flight attendants regarding the individual’s role-model status and ability to guide others.
Attainable: You can accomplish the goal as long as you commit yourself fully.
Relevant: This is relevant to staying professional and building a positive work culture among flight attendants.
Time-based: Eight months are needed to reach this particular statement.
13. Strengthen Crew Coordination
“I will practice effective techniques to strengthen crew coordination during flights. For 9 months, I’ll use active listening and dispute resolution skills to resolve common issues and challenges faced during flight operations.”
Specific: The goal details the objective, what must be done to complete it, and the time frame.
Measurable: Determine the effectiveness of techniques and the resolution of common issues during flight operations.
Attainable: This is feasible within 9 months by actively practicing techniques.
Relevant: The statement is applicable to assure smooth and efficient flight operations.
Time-based: You have a 9-month end date for goal attainment.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s boosting work productivity or reducing waste onboard, flight attendants should utilize SMART goals to excel on the job and contribute positively to their airline.
The SMART goals in this post are meant to serve as examples and inspiration for those looking to enhance performance. By applying these SMART criteria, you can advance your career.
