What are the qualifications for a flight attendant?
Flight attendants typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience in customer service. Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, typically 18 or 21; be eligible to work in the United States; have a valid passport; and pass a background check and drug test. Working Hours A flight attendant can expect to work 30–40 hours a week, but they can do more or fewer hours depending on the airline, the length of the flights they work on, e. There are typically more regular hours on short-haul flights.Gender and Age The workforce of Flight attendants in 2023 was 111,801 people, with 73. The age ranges that concentrated the largest workforce were 55 to 59 years (16,759 people), 50 to 54 years (14,332 people), and 30 to 34 years (13,783 people).There’s not an age limit. There’s no retirement age for [flight attendants]. If you’re interested in becoming a flight attendant after age 50, here are some basics you should know — and prepare for — as you dive into this competitive and exciting career.Typically, flight attendants work 12-14 days and log 65-85 flight hours each month, not including overtime. Flight attendant schedules can change month-to-month and some attendants may work more weeks than others.
What is the job of a flight attendant?
Flight attendants work for private and commercial airline companies to keep passengers safe and comfortable. They help passengers get seated, demonstrate how to use the plane’s safety equipment, including seat belts, and provide snacks, beverages and other services. Flight attendants and pilots get there own designated sleeping areas on long-haul flights built especially for them. While flight attendants are supposed to sleep on bunk beds in tiny crew rest areas, pilots take rest in separate sleeping compartments, where they can spend up to half of their time on a long flight.For long-haul flights, cabin crew members often stay in hotels during their layovers. These hotels are typically located near the airport and are paid for by the airline. The hotels cabin crew members stay in can vary depending on the airline and the location.Flight attendants are typically assigned a home base, which could be in a major city or airport hub. Those living close to their base may be able to return home more frequently. However, if their home is far from the base, they may need to commute and stay at a hotel or crew house during their working days.The answer lies in the hidden crew rest areas where airline attendants take their well-deserved breaks mid-flight. These private spaces are important areas for keeping the team refreshed, fresh, and ready to handle passenger needs and emergencies.
How many hours do flight attendants work?
Typically, flight attendants work 12-14 days and log 65-85 flight hours each month, not including overtime. Flight attendant schedules can change month-to-month and some attendants may work more weeks than others. They may spend several nights per week or per month away from home. In most cases, a contract between the airline and the flight attendant union determines the total daily and monthly workable hours. On-duty shifts per day may vary from 4 to 18 hours or longer, such as for international flights.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.In addition to the hourly wage, the flight attendant explains that you may also qualify for extra benefits, depending on the airline, such as a domestic or international per diem. This means you get paid for the time spent during layovers and away from your base.Flight attendants are guaranteed a minimum of 76 flight hours per bid period as a reserve after completing initial training. Reserve flight attendants typically fly between 76-120 flight hours per monthly bid period depending on operational need.
Where do flight attendants sleep?
The Aircraft has hidden bunk rooms called crew rest compartments. These spaces occupy areas above or below the main cabin, typically near the aircraft’s rear section. The rest compartments contain mattress-equipped bunks for crew members. The Aircraft has hidden bunk rooms called crew rest compartments. These spaces occupy areas above or below the main cabin, typically near the aircraft’s rear section. The rest compartments contain mattress-equipped bunks for crew members.Flight attendants descend into this lower compartment during designated rest periods. The space features double-stacked bunk beds to accommodate multiple crew members simultaneously. Each receives three to four hours of rest during ultra-long-range flights.Crew rest compartment. A crew rest compartment is a section of an airliner dedicated for breaks and sleeping by crew members during off-duty periods. Federal Aviation Regulations have provisions requiring crew rest areas be provided in order to operate a long-haul flight by using multiple crew shifts.In addition to hotels, some airlines provide their cabin crew members with crew rest areas on long-haul flights. These areas are usually located on the plane’s upper deck and are equipped with sleeping berths and changing areas.
How much do plane attendants get paid?
Average base salary The average salary for a flight attendant is $29. United States. Indeed in the past 36 months (updated July 28, 2025). Flight attendants have variable work schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, because airlines operate every day, and some offer overnight flights. Attendants work in an aircraft and may be away from home several nights per week.They often work long hours and spend several days at a time away from home. However, they also enjoy more days off in a month compared to the average office worker. On average, flight attendants get between 12 and 18 days off per month, adding up to around 156 days off per year.Flight attendants get paid per flight hour but have other pay mechanisms in place that guarantee they will receive a minimum pay for each trip. These mechanisms referred to as “RIGS” track the flight attendants total duty day and total time away from their base.There aren’t any remote work options for flight attendants, so you may have less flexibility in terms of your schedule. Taking a sick day or handling family emergencies or other obstacles can prevent you from getting to work, which may affect your pay.Do Flight Attendants Get Overtime? Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay. Most employees considered “exempt” from overtime are salaried and work white-collar jobs—though there are many exceptions.
What is the 35-7 rule for flight attendants?
Here’s where the 35-7 rule comes in. The U. S. Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) guidelines indicate that reserve flight attendants — those who don’t have a specific flight assignment and are on-call — cannot work more than 35 hours of flying time within a seven-day period. Depending on your seniority working 80-100 hours a month is just fine for flight attendants. A 40 hour week as a DOMESTIC flight attendant is basically 6 days straight working. I could have anywhere from 2-5 flights a day. I could be worked up to 15 hours a day, but only be paid for 9 of those hours.Flight attendants usually work between 9 and 20 days per month depending on the airline, seniority, and type of flights.The average hourly salary for a senior flight attendant is around $41 (or $84,637 per year), though some can earn as much as $55 or more per hour (or $115,126 per year). No matter what your take-home pay is, online tools like a money tracker app can help you create budgets and keep tabs on your finances.Typical flight attendant hours flight attendants do not follow a standard 9-to-5 schedule. Instead, they typically spend between 65 to 90 hours in the air per month, with an additional 50 hours dedicated to tasks like preparing the aircraft, assisting with boarding, and post-flight procedures.
Do flight attendants get free flights?
While flight attendants do get free or discounted flights, it’s important to remember that these benefits are not entirely “free. Depending on the airline, there may be additional costs involved, such as airport fees, taxes, or service charges. Depending on the airline, spouses, children, and sometimes even parents can fly for free or at a reduced cost. Additionally, flight attendants often receive a limited number of “buddy passes” each year, which they can give to friends or extended family members, allowing them to enjoy free or discounted flights.Flight attendants usually spend the most number of months living in hotels, so make sure to get an apartment with a hotel. It’s always nice having a hotel nearby, even if you’re not staying there.The answer to this question is a resounding YES, flight attendants do often receive free hotel accommodations when they are on a layover or between flights. Airlines commonly offer this perk to flight attendants, ensuring they remain well-rested and ready to perform their duties effectively.Flight attendants are about average in terms of happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, flight attendants rate their career happiness 3.