What does a Flight Attendant do?
A flight attendant is responsible for ensuring that all of the passengers on a flight are following safety regulations. They are responsible for cleaning the airplane and taking care of customers. A few of the main duties of a flight attendant are scheduling cleaning up after a flight, complying with airline regulations, instructing passengers on safety measures, and assisting passengers when needed. They also have to prepare reports whenever there is an incident on the aircraft. Some of the jobs titles that a flight attendant could grow into are pilot and air traffic controller.
A flight attendant does not need to have any experience but should have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. One of the most important skills that a flight attendant will have is the ability to connect with passengers. Another skill is organization as the flight attendant will have to be able to take care of an entire airplane.
- Serve passenger drinks and food
- Go through safety procedures with passengers
- Assist passengers with whatever they need
- Maintain a clean aircraft
- Assist the pilots with whatever they need
- Follow all airline regulations
- Distribute custom forms when appropriate
- Remain calm during emergency situations
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Amazing interpersonal skills
- Ability to direct passengers
- Great organizational skills
- Ability to travel to multiple countries
- Ability to lift at least 50 pounds
- Ability to pass a background test
- Ability to solve disputes and complaints of passengers
Flight Attendant Salaries
Average Base Pay
Flight Attendant Career Path
Learn how to become a Flight Attendant, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Flight Attendant Insights
IndiGo Airlines“Not so great at employees mental health and well being and don't prioritise employees career development”
Air Canada“Getting the opportunity to explore the world on layovers as a career is very unique and highly addictive in the best of ways!”
Hawaiian Airlines“And good luck if you get to work with the many crews who behave like bullies.”
The Trustees of Reservations“It was a very hard place to work and I always brought work (mentally) home with me.”
Delta Air Lines“It is a fun job that allows you to interact with great people and visit amazing places.”
Spirit Airlines“You have a very flexible schedule and can drop your entire line if you want to.”
easyJet“From day 1 I felt welcomed and everyone was so helpful and understanding when I was new.”
American Cruise Lines“Pay was pretty good if you don't think about the hours (tips make it variable)”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of flight attendants
Flight attendants are a crucial part of the flight crew for passenger aircraft. The typical day of a flight attendant includes inspecting emergency equipment, instructing passengers on safety procedures, and ensuring the comfort and safety of everyone on board during the flight. Flight attendants may work one to seven or more flights per day.
One advantage of becoming a flight attendant is traveling for free. Employers provide hotel accommodations and travel allowances to cover meals and transportation when the schedule requires an overnight stay. This is a great career for people who like to travel and don't mind a potentially erratic schedule.
The average salary for flight attendants is $34,487 a year. Experience and length of time in the industry are the greatest factors influencing pay. Flight attendants may also earn more by working from a major city such as New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Chicago.
Flight attendants must meet and maintain certain physical requirements for the job, including weight. Working as a flight attendant requires standing, bending, lifting, and balancing. Another challenge of being a flight attendant is that stressful customer service situations may occur during flights, and flight attendants have limited resources to handle these while in the air.