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Top Paying Cabin Crew Jobs

The pay for cabin crew members varies depending on many factors.

Air Canada’s first retrofitted Airbus A321-200 cabin (Photo: Air Canada)

Being a flight attendant can be a glamorous and adventurous career, offering a unique lifestyle filled with excitement and opportunity. The work of a cabin crew member involves flying above the clouds, traveling to different destinations, and meeting new people.

The term “cabin crew” refers to the team of professionals responsible for ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of passengers during a flight. While the exact job titles vary between airlines, cabin crew members include flight attendants, pursers, inflight supervisors, and other specialized roles.

The earning potential of a cabin crew member can vary greatly depending on their role, company, and geographical location. This article will delve into the roles with the highest earning potential, looking at factors that influence cabin crew compensation.

Factors Influencing Cabin Crew Salaries

Airline

Each airline has its own cabin crew pay scheme. Generally speaking, full-service mainline carriers tend to have higher cabin crew salaries than regional airlines or low-cost carriers. For example, flight attendants at Delta Air Lines have hourly pay rates ranging from $35.50 to $79.80, depending on seniority. Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines cabin crew members make anywhere from $25.00 to $58.82 per hour.

Airlines also have additional forms of compensation for cabin crew members on top of their base salary. In the United States, cabin crew members typically receive an hourly per diem of a few dollars when they are away from their base. In some other parts of the world, cabin crew receive daily allowances instead. These per diems and allowances are intended to cover meals and other costs that crew members incur their trips.

When airlines are profitable, they may also pay out bonuses to their employees, including cabin crew members. In 2024, Singapore Airlines paid employees bonuses equivalent to nearly eight months’ salary. Alaska Airlines announced bonuses of about six weeks worth of pay to employees in January of 2025.

A Singapore Boeing 777-300ER )Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Experience and Seniority

As is the case with most careers, cabin crew members can expect their pay to increase as they gain more time and experience on the job. In North America, the hourly pay for flight attendants is based on seniority – or time with the airline – with annual pay increases that max out at anywhere from 12 to 20 years, depending on the company.

Other airlines – such as Emirates – have a promotion-based system, where cabin crew members receive promotions and salary increases based on performance. At Emirates, flight attendants start by working in economy class, with promotions also involving moving to premium cabins.

Specialized Roles and Qualifications

Cabin crew have different roles on an aircraft, with the common goal of ensuring safety while also providing customer service. Those in leadership roles receive more compensation. Job titles and responsibilities can vary between airlines, but common leadership positions include pursers, lead flight attendants, and inflight supervisors. Regardless of the title, these jobs involve overseeing other cabin crew members. At airlines in the United States, these positions typically receive additional hourly pay on top of their regular compensation, ranging from around $2.00 to $7.50 per hour.

Some airlines also have additional pay for those who speak additional languages. For example, American Airlines flight attendants receive $2.00 hours per hour on all flights if they are qualified to speak a foreign language, and an additional premium of up to $3.75 if their language skills are required on an international segment.

Geographical Location

Pay rates and pay schemes for cabin crew members vary greatly around the world. While airlines in North America use hourly pay scales, other carriers like British Airways and Emirates pay a fixed base salary with additional variable flying pay.

Differences in compensation can also stem from local labor markets and cost of living, as well as changing industry standards and job markets. Some airlines – particularly those based in the Middle East like Emirates and Qatar Airways – also provide their cabin crew members with accommodations at their bases. These airlines typically have large numbers of flight attendants who are recruited from foreign countries.

Highest Paying Cabin Crew Jobs

International Flight Attendants

Those operating long-haul international flights are typically better compensated due to increased flight time and more hours contributing to their per diems and allowances. At airlines where cabin crew bid for schedules based on seniority – as is the case with airlines in North America – international trips are typically operated by more senior flight attendants. Most low-cost and budget carriers – which generally have lower cabin crew pay rates – do not operate long-haul flights.

Leadership and Supervisory Positions

As previously mentioned, cabin crew members who are pursers, lead flight attendants, or inflight supervisors receive higher hourly pay or base salaries. Cabin crew have to have at least a few years of experience before applying for these roles. Since those in leadership and supervisory roles are more senior cabin crew members, they tend to be paid more even before they take on the additional responsibilities of a purser or supervisor.

Premium Cabins

At some airlines, cabin crew members working in premium cabins or certain positions on an aircraft are better compensated than their counterparts working in economy class. This could be in the form of higher hourly pay or through a promotion system in which crew members need to be promoted to work in premium cabins. Airlines pay these crew members due to the higher service expectations in business class and first class.

Tips for Increasing Cabin Crew Earning Potential

Gain Seniority and Experience: At seniority-based airlines, having more time with the company is the number one way to receive pay increases as a cabin crew member. This also incentivizes employees to stay with the carriers.

Seek Promotions and Supervisory Positions: Increased responsibilities and leadership roles for cabin crew members come with higher pay.

Develop Specialized Skills: Some airlines will pay cabin crew members extra for skills like the ability to speak a foreign language.

Consider the Value of Non-Monetary Compensation: The total compensation package for a cabin crew member extends beyond their base salary. For example, airlines typically offer flight benefits and medical insurance. Other companies may provide housing or pensions.

Look Beyond the Airlines: While many cabin crew members choose to work for an airline, there are other employers with high earning potential, such as private jet and charter companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a job as a cabin crew member?

The process of becoming a flight attendant involves understanding the job, meeting the basic requirements, and going through the recruitment process. Hiring processes vary between airlines, but they typically include an online application followed by an interview and evaluation process.

What qualifications do I need to work as a cabin crew member?

While qualifications and requirements differ between companies, carriers typically require new hires to have a high school diploma and some customer service experience. Airlines and governments may also have age and size requirements.

How much do flight attendants make? 

As discussed in this article, cabin crew pay can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. However, the median flight attendant salary in the United States in 2023 was $68,370, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Andrew Chen
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  • Andrew Chen

    Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

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