Everything You Need to Prepare Before Welcoming Airline Crew
Category: Hosting Tips
Reading Time: 8–10 minutes
Whether you're renting out a spare room, an apartment, a house, or a dedicated crash pad, taking a little time to prepare your property before listing it can make the difference between receiving occasional enquiries and becoming a host that airline crew recommend to each other.
Unlike holidaymakers, pilots and flight attendants often stay regularly, book at short notice, and value reliability above almost everything else. A clean, comfortable and accurately described property will quickly build a reputation within the aviation community.
This checklist will help you create a listing that attracts quality crew members and maximises your chances of receiving enquiries through Crew Accommodation.
1. Make Sure Your Property Is Spotlessly Clean
Cleanliness is the first thing guests notice.
Airline crew spend long hours working and often arrive after early starts, late finishes or long-haul flights. Walking into a clean property immediately creates confidence.
Before photographing or listing your property, ensure:
- Carpets are vacuumed
- Floors are mopped
- Kitchen appliances are clean
- Bathrooms are sanitised
- Windows are clean
- Bedding is fresh
- Towels are clean
- Dust has been removed from all surfaces
Remember, crew often become repeat guests, so maintaining high standards is essential.
2. Take Great Photos
Good photographs generate more enquiries than almost anything else.
Take photos during daylight and avoid clutter.
Include:
- Exterior
- Bedroom(s)
- Bathroom(s)
- Kitchen
- Living area
- Dining area
- Laundry facilities
- Parking
- Outdoor space
- Workspace
- Storage space
Don't forget any features that airline crew particularly appreciate, such as:
- Blackout curtains
- Coffee machine
- Desk
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Secure entry
- Crew lounge
- Airport shuttle pickup point
The more complete your photo gallery, the more confidence guests will have.
3. Write an Honest Description
Avoid exaggerated marketing language.
Instead, explain exactly what guests can expect.
Mention:
- Who the accommodation is suitable for
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Whether the room is private or shared
- House rules
- Quiet hours
- Internet speed
- Air conditioning or heating
- Parking arrangements
- Public transport nearby
Honesty leads to happier guests and better reviews.
4. Connect Your Property to the Correct Airport
One of the biggest advantages of Crew Accommodation is that airline crew search by airport.
Make sure your listing is linked to every airport it reasonably serves.
For example:
A property between Dallas and Fort Worth may serve:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL)
The more accurately your listing is linked, the easier it is for crew to find it.
5. Set Competitive Pricing
Research similar accommodation in your area.
Don't just think about the nightly price.
Crew often stay for:
- A few nights
- One week
- One month
- Several months
Offering:
- Nightly rates
- Weekly discounts
- Monthly discounts
can significantly increase enquiries from commuting crew.
Longer stays often mean:
- Less cleaning
- Lower vacancy
- More predictable income
6. Complete Every Amenity
Guests regularly filter search results by amenities.
Tick every feature your property genuinely offers.
Examples include:
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Kitchen access
- Laundry
- Dishwasher
- Workspace
- Parking
- Gym
- Pool
- TV
- Coffee maker
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Self check-in
The more complete your listing, the more often it will appear in filtered searches.
7. Explain the Commute
One of the first questions crew ask is:
"How easy is it to get to the airport?"
Include information such as:
- Driving time
- Typical traffic
- Public transport
- Airport shuttle availability
- Walking distance to stations
- Uber/Lyft availability
Helping guests understand the commute makes choosing your property much easier.
8. Think Like Airline Crew
Crew members often work unusual hours.
Ask yourself:
Can guests arrive late?
Is self check-in available?
Can they sleep during the day?
Will outside noise be a problem?
Is there enough wardrobe space for uniforms?
Can they prepare meals?
Is there reliable internet for roster changes?
Small details can make a huge difference.
9. Prepare House Information
Consider providing:
- Wi-Fi password
- Local supermarket locations
- Pharmacy
- Hospital
- Public transport information
- Taxi numbers
- Emergency contacts
- Airport directions
A simple welcome guide helps guests settle in quickly.
10. Keep Your Calendar Updated
Nothing frustrates guests more than enquiring about accommodation that's no longer available.
Regularly update:
- Availability
- Blocked dates
- Cleaning schedule
- Pricing
An accurate calendar saves everyone time.
11. Respond Quickly
Airline crew often need accommodation fast.
Aim to reply as soon as possible.
Even if you can't accept the booking, a quick response leaves a positive impression.
12. Encourage Repeat Guests
Many crew return to the same airport every month.
A positive first stay can lead to:
- Repeat bookings
- Longer stays
- Recommendations to colleagues
- Fewer vacant periods
Building relationships with crew can create a reliable source of regular income.
Final Checklist Before You Publish
Before making your listing live, ask yourself:
✅ Is every room clean?
✅ Have I uploaded plenty of good-quality photos?
✅ Is my description accurate?
✅ Have I linked the correct airport(s)?
✅ Have I completed all amenities?
✅ Is my pricing competitive?
✅ Have I added weekly and monthly rates?
✅ Is my availability calendar up to date?
✅ Are my house rules clear?
✅ Would I be happy to stay here myself?
If you can answer "yes" to every question, you're ready to welcome airline crew.
Why List on Crew Accommodation?
Unlike general accommodation websites, Crew Accommodation is designed specifically for the aviation community. Our platform connects hosts with pilots, flight attendants and other airline professionals searching for accommodation near their airport base.
Whether you're offering a spare room, a dedicated crash pad, an apartment or an entire house, Crew Accommodation helps you reach the people most likely to become reliable, respectful and repeat guests.
