Do Flight Attendants Make Good Money?
How much does a flight attendant make? Flight attendants form an indispensable link on almost every flight, and their main task is to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of both the crew and passengers.
While their job allows them to be part of a non-conventional work environment, it also has its downsides like the long hours and being away from home for a long time.
However, the need for such skills is not always as high as the number of job seekers who want to know the earning potential in this field.
Let’s explore the salaries of flight attendants across various airlines.
How Much Does a Flight Attendant Make?
Flight attendants’ salaries can have a big gap depending on certain variables such as the airline they are working for, their years of experience, and the location they are based.
| Airlines | Flight Attendance Pay Per Hour |
| Delta Air Lines | $35.80 |
| American Airlines | $33.53 |
| United Airlines | $32.31 |
| Southwest Airlines | $28.66 |
| Piedmont Airlines | $27.68 |
| Allegiant Air | $27.29 |
| Envoy Air | $26.78 |
| PSA Airlines | $26.44 |
| Frontier Airlines | $26.31 |
| Republic Airways | $26.18 |
| Spirit Airlines | $26.12 |
| SkyWest Airlines | $26.09 |
| Alaska Airlines | $25.26 |
| Breeze Airways | $25.09 |
| Endeavor Air | $24.41 |
Benefits of Being a Flight Attendant
Here are some of the benefits:
1. Free Flights and Travel Discounts
The flight attendants are lucky when they can visit new places during the performance of their duties.
They often have idle periods between their flights, so they utilize this time to explore new places and to enjoy a glimpse of different cultures.
Many airlines allow their flight attendants to redeem mileage or flight benefits in addition to what they get from the company. This is done so that they can fly for free or at a discounted price.
2. The Flying Perks for the Family and Friends
In the aviation industry, a flight attendant may be given flight privileges for his family members, including his spouse.
Sometimes he may be allowed to take his parents or even children.
Moreover, they benefit from frequent buddy passes that they can hand out to friends or other family members, which is a nice perk since it allows them to share the travel experience with the people they love.
3. Flexible Schedule
Flight attendants work on a rotating shift basis that is flexible and can help to attain a balance between work and personal life.
They are usually given three days off per week which is a very big time to do things that are not related to work like spending time with the family, traveling, or any other personal activities.
Through this, flight attendants have the ability to choose particular flights; hence, they have a greater command over their schedules.
4. An Opportunity to Acquaint with a Stranger
Amazingly, the flight attendant job offers a great opportunity to meet and talk to many people from different countries and cultures.
Cabin crew members interact with travelers of different nationalities, ranging from celebrities, and athletes, to family on vacation.
5. Food Expense Reimbursement
Flight attendants enjoy complimentary in-flight meals and snacks; in addition, several airlines repay them for food expenses they incur during long layovers.
This enables them to become adventurous in the local cuisine, without worrying about the cost, thus, making their travel more interesting and their culinary adventures more exciting.
6. Health Insurance and Retirement Plans
Almost all airlines provide health insurance policies covering flight attendants and their dependents in terms of medical, dental, and vision care.
Flight attendants enjoy retirement benefits and saving plan options, which allow them to have financial security in the future.
7. Competitive Compensation
Flight attendants as a rule are paid a competitive salary, with the average annual income being around $61,640.
Airlines, too, offer such compensations as profit-sharing packages and employee discounts on travel-related expenses, which, in addition, to their overall compensation package, make it more attractive.
8. Employee Discounts
The airline industry is a common partner of flight attendants, offering them discounts from partners such as cruise lines and hotels.
This enables them to benefit by getting reduced-price tickets for the stay or entertainment during their spare time.
Working Hours of Flight Attendants
The average work week for airline crew members is about 30 to 40 hours; however, this can differ depending on the carrier and the routes they serve, be it short, medium, or long haul.
A typical work schedule for flight attendants is not limited to the hours from 9 to 5.
Flight schedules are around the clock, seven days a week, hence they are always ready to work during early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Flexibility must be considered since there could be special events or religious festivals in which you will be needed to work.
The working day of a flight attendant begins with the trip to the airport and ends with reaching the airport on the other side.
This can be for a short period, for instance, overnight stays. It can be local, national, or international.
Delays and cancellations are always possible, hence making one to work longer hours or on weekends; however, one may be compensated under such circumstances.
Some airlines have alternative employment options such as part-time, job-share, or flexible positions but being at the disposal when needed is still a must.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Flight Attendant?
Their duties include:
1. Teaching safety regulations and showing how to use emergency apparatuses.
2. Ensuring passengers follow safety guidelines.
3. Helping travelers with stowing carry-on baggage.
4. Ensuring the availability of special services for a particular type of customer, for instance, senior citizens or those with disabilities.
5. Providing high-quality service to all customers and being hospitable.
Guide to Becoming a Flight Attendant
Becoming a flight attendant typically involves several steps.
1. Education
While a college degree is not imperative, it usually helps a lot in your resume.
To begin with, you will at least need a GED or a high school diploma. Nevertheless, airlines value most customer service experience acquired previously.
2. Customer Service Skills
The difference between an unsuccessful and a successful business is the level of customer service that is offered.
This is the process of building a brand that is known for its quality of service when you work in different jobs or positions. The more experience you have, the higher your chances are, too.
3. Job Search
Recruitment of flight attendants should be done with utmost care by utilizing different sources, such as online platforms, social media, and airline websites.
To begin with, one should research various airlines and learn about the culture of their work, conditions, and the rewards they offer.
4. Application Process
The process of hiring a flight attendant is a typical one, which includes filling out the application forms in detail and attending the interviews that could be group assessments and role-playing scenarios.
The details are the crucial components of the application forms because airlines select one person from a great number of applicants for every position.
5. Training
The vast majority of the time, the airlines are recruiting new flight attendants and the candidates are being put through extensive training.
The courses will have different topics, starting with security matters, emergency procedures, customer service rules, and the finite details of the aircraft.
6. FAA Certification
The FAA certification which should follow airline training will show that you are proficient in areas that are critical such as first aid and evacuation.
For this certification to be sustained it must be carried out regularly to ensure that it is up to date.
7. Reserve Status
In this case, the uncalled-for absences of flight attendants are compensated by their juniors who miss the chance to do their shifts.
This position is quite demanding since it involves working different shifts and odd hours that are not always predictable. However, it is a good platform to begin your career and be promoted to become a senior pilot.
8. Career Advancement
With time and perseverance, career progression is possible.
Besides, gaining more abilities, for example, the ones of speaking different languages, can create new possibilities.
Dedication and constant learning are two factors that will help us to reach higher levels in this area.
The salary of a flight attendant can vary depending on the level of experience, airline, and geographic location.
Although there is some diversity in the job, it pays well, and it includes benefits and chances to advance.
More than just money, being a flight attendant offers a wealth of experiences, that is traveling globally, engaging with diverse cultures, and positively impacting passengers’ journeys.
