The job of a flight attendant is one of the most sought-after professions in aviation. In addition to excellent pay and benefits, international flight attendants have the opportunity to travel around the world while helping ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers. The average annual salary for an international flight attendant depends on experience, seniority, and location, among many other factors. For example, the income package for a crew based in the USA may vary compared to someone who works for a 5-star luxury airline in the Middle East, or a low-cost carrier in Asia.
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With the ever-changing airline industry, it can be difficult to know how much a flight attendant makes. Well no longer! We have compiled information on what each major carrier pays their employees based in part on where they are on their career path with additional profits shared like bonuses and commissions as well as other benefits.
Contents
- How Much Do Flight Attendants Make Per Year?
- What is the Starting Salary for a Flight Attendant?
- What Impacts a Flight Attendant’s Salary?
- Do International Flight Attendants Make More?
- Benefits Of Being A Flight Attendant
- What are the Working Conditions for Flight Attendants?
- Example of Flight Attendant Salaries
- Which Airlines Pay Flight Attendants the Most?
- What is the Future of Flight Attendant Salaries?
- Summary
How Much Do Flight Attendants Make Per Year?
On average, a flight attendant makes $50,000 per year. However, this number will differ based on the airline you work for and your level of experience.
However, these figures can be misleading because they do not factor in the many different types of benefits and bonuses that flight attendants receive. For example, some airlines offer profit-sharing plans that can add several thousand dollars to an employee’s yearly compensation. Other carriers offer signing bonuses of up to $10,000 for new hires.
In addition, many airlines offer their flight attendants perks like free or discounted travel. These benefits can add up to thousands of dollars in savings each year, which can greatly increase the overall compensation package for flight attendants.
What is the Starting Salary for a Flight Attendant?
The starting salary for a flight attendant can vary depending on the airline, but most new hires can expect to make around $25,000 per year. Some airlines may start new employees at a lower salary, but this is typically offset by the many benefits and bonuses that are offered.
What Impacts a Flight Attendant’s Salary?
There are a few things that can impact a flight attendant’s salary. The first is experience. Flight attendants who have been with an airline for several years will typically earn more than those who are just starting out.
- Qualifications: Most airlines require their flight attendants to have high school diplomas and be certified by the FAA. This covers emergency procedures like landing in case of emergencies, and evacuations from plane seats for example; it also requires them to know how best to handle medical emergencies should someone need assistance during travel abroad or at home domestically because we all hope that never happens but if something does go wrong then these skills could make a difference between life-threatening injury versus just some bumps and bruises!
- Experience: As mentioned before, experience is a big factor in how much a flight attendant makes. The more years someone has been working for an airline, the more likely they are to receive raises and bonuses.
- Location: The location of an airline can also impact a flight attendant’s salary. Airlines based in larger cities typically pay more than those in smaller towns. This is because the cost of living is higher in big cities, and airlines need to offer salaries that are competitive with other industries.
- Benefits and Bonuses: As we mentioned before, many airlines offer their flight attendants perks like free or discounted travel. These benefits can add up to thousands of dollars in savings each year, which can greatly increase the overall compensation package for flight attendants.
- Airline: The airline an employee works for can also impact their salary. Some airlines simply pay more than others. For example, Delta Air Lines is known to be one of the highest-paying airlines for flight attendants.
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Do International Flight Attendants Make More?
Some airlines do pay their international flight attendants more than their domestic counterparts. However, this is not always the case. It really depends on the airline and the specific route that a flight attendant is working.
Benefits Of Being A Flight Attendant
In addition to their salary, most flight attendants also receive a number of other benefits. These can include things like free or discounted travel, profit-sharing plans, and signing bonuses.
Some airlines also offer their flight attendants perks like free or discounted travel. These benefits can add up to thousands of dollars in savings each year, which can greatly increase the overall compensation package for flight attendants.
What are the Working Conditions for Flight Attendants?
Flight attendants typically work long hours. They may be on call for several hours before their shift, and they often have to work weekends and holidays. In addition, they may have to deal with difficult passengers and challenging situations.
However, flight attendants also have the opportunity to travel to new places and meet new people. They also receive a number of benefits that can make their job more enjoyable.
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Example of Flight Attendant Salaries
| `Airline | Low (Bottom 10%) | Average | High(Top 10%) |
| American Airlines | $30,000 | $43,460 | $86,000 |
| Delta Airlines | $24,000 | $40,236 | $91,000 |
| Southwest Airlines | $30,000 | $42,000 | $65,000 |
| JetBlue | $32,000 | $42,500 | $103,000 |
| United Airlines | $28,000 | $44,129 | $100,000 |
| Spirit Airlines | $25,000 | $39,000 | $68,000 |
| Frontier Airlines | $27,000 | $29,400 | $45,000 |
American Airlines: In addition to their base salaries, American Airlines flight attendants can earn bonuses that average over $2K per year. There are also commissions and profit-sharing opportunities for the employees who work hard at making sure everyone has an unforgettable experience on board!
Delta Air Lines: Delta Airlines‘ flight attendants are treated like royalty. They offer the standard free flights and per diem, but they also have some amazing additional benefits including bonuses that can pay up to $6 400 annually!
United Airlines: The salaries for flight attendants at United can’t be beaten! With an average annual potential salary of $55K, plus bonuses and commissions; there is more than just base pay on offer here.
Which Airlines Pay Flight Attendants the Most?
As you can see, there is a lot of variation in how much flight attendants can make. It really depends on the airline, the location, and the experience of the flight attendant. However, some airlines do pay their flight attendants more than others. For example, Delta Air Lines is known to be one of the highest-paying airlines for flight attendants.
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What is the Future of Flight Attendant Salaries?
The future of flight attendant salaries is looking bright! With the industry growing and more airlines offering competitive pay and benefits packages, flight attendants can expect to see their salaries continue to rise. In addition, as the cost of living increases, more airlines will need to offer higher salaries in order to attract and retain the best employees. The job may come with many challenges however the benefits can be very attractive and worth it.
Summary
Flight attendants have the opportunity to travel, meet new people and receive a number of other benefits in addition to their salary. Salaries for flight attendants vary by airline and route, with Delta Air Lines paying some of the highest salaries. Benefits can include free or discounted travel, profit-sharing plans, and signing bonuses.
The job of a flight attendant can be both challenging and rewarding at the same time. It offers great opportunities for those who want to explore different countries while earning a good salary along with other benefits.
As the industry grows, salaries are expected to continue increasing in order to attract and retain the best employees. This job may come with many challenges but it can be very rewarding as well!