Do Flight Attendants Get Paid Well?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Do flight attendants get paid well? How Much Does a Flight Attendant Make? Flight Attendants made a

median salary of $59,050 in 2020

. The best-paid 25 percent made $71,550 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $43,080.

Contents hide

Which airline has the highest paid flight attendants?

Average Annual Pay Additional Annual Pay
American

$43,460 $2,825
Delta Airlines $40,236 $6,400 Southwest Airlines $42,000 $4,800 United Airlines $44,219 $5,200

Is it worth being a flight attendant?

Conclusion. Being a flight attendant is

one of the most worthwhile career decisions a person can make

. It's a rewarding career that gives you access to a lifestyle most people would love to have. It has adventure, great pay, human interaction, and provides you with amazing memories.

Why do flight attendants make so much money?

Do flight attendants get 40 hours a week?

Flight attendant hours are an accumulation of time an attendant spends onboard the airplane performing their specified duties. They can expect to spend

65-90 hours in the air, and an additional 50 hours preparing the airplane, processing passengers during boarding and performing post-flight procedures.

Is it hard to become a flight attendant?

Steps to Take to be a Flight Attendant


It's difficult and can take a long time

. Airlines can take 3-6 months to get through the hiring process, that's if your resume makes it through the first cut. Intense Competition. We estimate there are 1 – 1.5 million flight attendant applications for 5,000 – 10,000 jobs.

What is the hardest airline to get a job with?

For aspiring flight attendants,

Delta Air Lines

, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job.

Do flight attendants get free housing?

While

not every cabin crew member will receive free housing

, it's a different story while abroad. Due to the nature of the job, cabin crew are often on layovers before they can return home. In this instance, an airline will provide a free stay in a hotel overnight.

Do flight attendants fly for free?

While being a flight attendant isn't the highest-paying job,

you're almost always guaranteed to fly for free

. Flight attendants can ride in coach for free or fly with a companion for about 90 percent off plus tax and fees on international flights. Additionally, you'll receive benefits, like health and dental insurance.

Do flight attendants stay in hotels for free?


Flight attendants can only stay in a hotel for free for the duration of their layover

. However, in many cases, flight attendants can sign up for hotel reward programs and earn hotel points for every night's stay.

What is the age limit for flight attendant?

Flight Attendant Age Requirements

The minimum age required to be a flight attendant is

18 years old

. Some airlines require you to be 19 or 20 when you apply, but none are allowed to make the requirement older than 21. Another common question we get is if you can become a flight attendant later in life.

Is there an age limit for flight attendants?

Because there is

no age limit

, many people are pursuing second careers as flight attendants – and are gladly accepted because of their experience and level of maturity. Do not ever think you are too old to apply for a flight attendant position.

How long is flight attendant school?

The training program for flight attendants is usually

three to six weeks

. However, it may take months or even years to get into one of these programs. This is a highly competitive field, and open positions usually fill up fast.

Do flight attendants come home every night?


Flight attendants may be away from home for several days in a row including weekends and holidays

and therefore must be flexible. The maximum number of flying hours per day is set by union agreement, and on-duty time is usually limited to 12 hours per day, with a daily maximum of 14 hours.

What are the disadvantages of being a flight attendant?

  • The salaries of flight attendants are shockingly low. …
  • You are almost always on reserve or on call as a flight attendant. …
  • This job requires you to be away from home a lot. …
  • Your training is not always classified as employment. …
  • You may not have the option to take a sick day.

What do flight attendants do after landing?

After landing, attendants

assist passengers in safely deplaning the aircraft

.

Do I have to know how do you swim to be a flight attendant?

What do you need to know about the swimming test? You need to know that

swimming is required and essential to be a flight attendant

. You will be able to learn and practice ditching exercises and water survival skills during training but it is expected that you can swim in order to be trained to proficiency.

How tall do you have to be to be a flight attendant?

There are rules about height and weight – these vary between airlines. As a general guide, most look for people

between 5ft 2in (157cm) and 6ft 2in (188cm)

with weight in proportion to height.

Is the flight attendant test hard?

Do flight attendants clean toilets?


Bathroom cleanliness in-flight is handled by the flight attendant as well

, who checks throughout the flight to ensure the lavatories are stocked and tidy.

Do flight attendants get free food?

A common misconception about flight attendants is that they get reimbursed for meals. That'd be like your boss picking up the tab for your daily desk salad. Instead, most flight attendants get about $2 per hour of travel as a small per diem.

Sure, she could get free airplane food, but, well, no thank you.

What percentage of flight attendants get hired?


Under 1 percent

acceptance rate

Of course, very few people become flight attendants for the salary. The big perk is the ability to travel almost anywhere in the world for free or nearly free.

Can flight attendants have two jobs?

That's what their second jobs are for. A flexible schedule means

flight attendants sometimes can take on a second job

.

Do flight attendants live together?


Many flight attendants live together in large apartments or houses called “crash pads”

located very close to the airport in the particular city where their airline's regional hub is located.

Can you choose where to live as a flight attendant?

Do I need to live on base? You do not need to live on base.

Flight Attendants can live anywhere in the world, provided they can get to base for the start of their shift

.

Do you need to be pretty to be a flight attendant?

Looks aren't everything, but they are important. You might have heard flight attendants back in the day had to fit a certain physical mold, and that's true. These days, you don't have to be a slim and slender supermodel to land the gig, but

you do need to be presentable

.

Why do flight attendants have to be pretty?

“The reason why many people ‘think' that most cabin crew out there are good looking is because

the airlines have created the illusion

,” Ms Brown explains. “During the cabin crew training all crew go through some kind of grooming/image/uniform training.

Why is flight attendant pay so low?


Staff took a forced pay cut of up to 40%, mirrored with longer working hours

. For example, on a Boeing 757, flight attendant numbers were cut from five to four. This meant more hours and less pay, but the same amount of passengers.

Do flight attendants get paid when the plane is on the ground?

How is life as a flight attendant?

What qualifies you to be a flight attendant?

Flight attendants need

a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience in customer service

. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be eligible to work in the United States, have a valid passport, and pass a background check and drug test.

How much do you have to weigh to be a flight attendant?

Can flight attendants have tattoos?

United Airlines Flight Attendant Tattoo Policy


Tattoos are permitted on the arms, legs, wrist, and feet and must be no larger than a credit card

. There are no tattoos permitted on the face, hands, or neck for United Airlines flight attendants.

What is the best airline to work for?

  1. Virgin America. 4.1 stars. …
  2. Allegiant. 4.0 stars. …
  3. Southwest Airlines. 3.8 stars. …
  4. Air Methods. 3.7 stars. …
  5. Delta. 3.5 stars. …
  6. Atlantic Aviation. 3.4 stars. …
  7. Spirit Airlines. 3.4 stars. …
  8. United Airlines. 3.3 stars.

Who is the oldest flight attendant?


Bette Nash

through the years.

Bette Nash has spent over six decades in the American aviation industry and still retains her charm and energy. At 86, she is the world's oldest flight attendant. According to the Guinness World Records, the length of her career, as of January this year, was 64 years and 61 days.

Are flight attendants in high demand 2021?


Pilots, flight attendants, ramp workers and customer service agents are in high demand across the industry

.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.