Flight Attendant
United Airlines: Define Tomorrow, Together
United Airlines is seeking dedicated and dynamic individuals to join its world-class team as Flight Attendants. With over 28,000 active Flight Attendants and the most expansive global network, United offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow a career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections, and travel the world. This role provides a unique perspective and the chance to contribute to a rapidly growing airline, shaping the future of air travel.
Role Overview
The Flight Attendant plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, comfort, and exceptional experience of United's diverse passenger base. This highly desired position does not require specific schooling or a college degree, as comprehensive training is provided directly by United Airlines. Successful candidates will embody a "People-First" demeanor, demonstrating the ability to adapt, serve with optimism, and resolve customer issues with understanding and grace. Flight Attendants are key representatives of United, dedicated to influencing customer loyalty through outstanding service and representing the airline with pride.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure the highest levels of safety for all passengers and crew, proficiently operating necessary equipment in various scenarios.
- Provide outstanding interpersonal engagement and customer service, adapting to diverse customer-facing situations.
- Demonstrate excellent judgment and resolve issues with understanding, compassion, and grace, influencing customer loyalty.
- Maintain dependability and timeliness, which are critical for operational efficiency and meeting customer expectations.
- Fulfill global assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, aligning with United's comprehensive route network.
- Serve reserve assignments on short notice and be prepared for multi-day trips away from base.
- Work effectively both independently and as a valued member of a team.
- Create memorable experiences for every customer on every flight, embracing opportunities to explore new cultures and destinations.
- Serve and/or sell food and beverages, including alcohol, in a diligent and professional manner.
Training & Development
The United journey commences with industry-leading Flight Attendant Initial Training, spanning 6.5 weeks in Houston, TX. Trainees will master United's stringent safety and service standards. During this period, a weekly stipend of $140 is provided, alongside dual occupancy hotel accommodations, breakfast, and either lunch or dinner (dependent on the training schedule).
Upon successful completion of training, Flight Attendants will be assigned a base in one of United's seven hubs (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles) or other designated flight attendant base locations. Relocation funds are not provided. Following base orientation, individuals will officially become full-time United employees, with successful training graduates receiving a $1,000 bonus.
Compensation & Benefits
United Airlines offers a competitive compensation package and exceptional benefits, supporting employees' well-being and career growth:
- Starting hourly flight pay of $28.88/hour, with the top of base scale reaching $67.11/hour.
- Seniority-based pay increases and additional compensation for language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
- Comprehensive competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Paid time off for sick and vacation days.
- Outstanding Travel Privileges: Employees, their families, and friends can fly anywhere in the world on a stand-by basis using United's extensive route network.
- Employee Assistance Plan for employees and their families.
Qualifications & Requirements
Candidates for the Flight Attendant position must meet the following criteria:
- Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED; two or more years of college are preferred.
- A minimum of one year of customer service experience in a service industry (e.g., retail, hospitality, food, teaching/education, aviation, social service) is required.
- Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently. Proficiency in a second language is highly desirable, particularly Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tagalog.
- Must be able to speak clearly, concisely, and loudly enough to be heard in an emergency.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound and effectively communicate in high-stress situations (e.g., aircraft evacuation, security threats, medical emergencies).
- Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to excellent grooming standards, including uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines:
- Tattoos are not permitted on the head, hands, fingers, or neck (including the back of the neck, on, in, or behind the ear) and cannot be covered by makeup or bandages in these areas.
- Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet are permitted, provided they are not larger than a credit card/employee badge (3.5 inches long x 2.24 inches wide) or are covered by standard uniform pieces.
- Visible tattoos must not be offensive (e.g., violent, obscene, sexual, racist, or containing objectionable content or weaponry imagery).
- Decorative covers, adornments, and/or jewelry on teeth or in the mouth are not permitted.
- Ability to proficiently operate electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for task completion.
- Must possess a valid passport prior to application, with at least 18 months of remaining validity. This includes current physical possession of a valid U.S. passport book or foreign passport book with applicable visas, enabling global travel without restrictions.
- Ability to travel to and from all countries United serves without any restrictions as a working crew member. Applicants are responsible for verifying their travel eligibility.
- Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage to overhead bin or window exit), and push/pull beverage carts (up to 250 lbs.).
- Ability to pass a functional reach assessment with a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach and hold (simultaneous), without shoes on, to operate all necessary equipment, machinery, and doors.
- Ability to sit in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule in support of United’s 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays, on scheduled and reserve days.
Onboarding & Pre-employment Expectations
Successful candidates must meet the following during the onboarding and training process:
- Successfully complete an evacuation drill in water (pool) during training.
- Undergo a pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
- Pass DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens. Medical and recreational marijuana use is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the Flight Attendant position.
- Pass a 10-year background check, including criminal history. A background that prohibits travel to or from any United destination (e.g., DWI/DUI charges within the last 10 years for Canadian travel without a Temporary Resident Permit) is disqualifying.
- Meet Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines hearing and vision requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, including no hearing loss on audiometry in the better ear greater than 40 dB (average at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz) and 20/40 or better corrected vision for both far and near vision in each eye.
The job posting end date is September 15, 2025.
United Airlines offers inclusive uniform standards, where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves at work. Safety and cleanliness are paramount for both employees and customers.