I know a bit about the aviation industry because I'm interested in it (not in a working sense)-my dad was a pilot and I have a cousin who is a flight attendant.
As Jamon mentioned, there isn't a specific degree to become a flight attendant and that you have to apply to an airline first. A university degree is definitely advantageous (at times required) if you want to get into a prestigious airline like Emirates, Singapore or Cathay Pacific (those are the I ones that I know that like uni degrees). It's possible to work at at one of those airlines without one but you probably have to get experience at a small airline first (my cousin did that). I think that university degrees gives the impression that you are more intellectual, worldly and have more time to explore personal development). Choose a degree in an area that you like (even better if it provides you with a backup career), it doesn't really matter. From what I've read elsewhere Emirates have flight attendants that have studied Medicine, Law, Commerce, Science, Arts and more (I sense that many see it as a short- term 2-3 year career just to pursue their interest in the aviation industry). If you have no preference, commerce (good for back-up careers or if you would like to move into other roles within the aviation industry) or arts (broaden your perspectives) degree are probably good choices.
A few things about the aviation industry you should keep in mind when choosing a degree (if you choose to go to uni):
- Unfortunately the industry falls pretty hard in tough economic times, demand for unnecessary travel drops significantly. Many airlines retrench staff, or even worse, merge with other airlines or close shop all together (if they don't get bailed out by the government). The costs of running an airline are really high. Something similar happened to my dad's airline, a lot of people (including him)- support staff, pilots and flight attendants loss their jobs, for most of them it was their livelihoods at stake because they weren't qualified or prepared to do anything else (my dad never worked after that).
- Quite a number of airlines (especially many prestigious ones based in Asia and Middle East) have discriminatory rules for flight attendants (I can understand though) regarding age, gender (female) and appearances. It isn't a lifelong or long-term career for
many as a result.