Flight Attendant
(Job Posting End Date: 05/20/2025)
Overview
United believes that achieving organizational goals begins with supporting the aspirations of its employees. The company fosters career growth, provides access to top-tier health and wellness benefits, encourages the building of lasting connections with colleagues and customers, and offers the opportunity to explore the world through its extensive route network. United invites individuals to join in creating the future of aviation, defining tomorrow together.
Description
As the world's largest airline with the most expansive network, United is experiencing unprecedented growth, currently employing over 28,000 active flight attendants. The role offers the unique opportunity to see the world while working, making it a highly sought-after position. United provides comprehensive training and does not require specialized schooling or a college degree for entry into this role.
Responsibilities and Proficiencies:
- Safety First: Ensures the highest levels of safety for all passengers and crew members.
- People-First Demeanor: Adapts and responds effectively to diverse customer-facing scenarios. Demonstrates a passion for service with optimism and positivity, engaging directly with customers through outstanding interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to resolve issues with understanding, compassion, and grace. Influences customer loyalty through excellent service and represents United with pride and distinction.
- Flexibility: Operates within United's comprehensive global route network, requiring availability for assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. Fulfills reserve assignments on short notice and is prepared to be away from base for multiple days. Dependability and timeliness are critical for operational success and meeting customer expectations.
- Team Player: Consistently works effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Memorable Experiences: Creates memorable experiences for customers on every flight, exploring new cultures and traveling the world.
- Serves and/or sells food and beverages (including alcohol) in a diligent and professional manner.
Compensation & Benefits
United offers a competitive compensation package, exceptional benefits, and desirable travel privileges.
- Starting Pay: Begins at an hourly flight pay of $28.88, with the top of the base scale reaching $67.11 per hour.
- Pay Increases: Based on seniority.
- Additional Compensation: Provided for language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
- Benefits: Includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), vacation time, sick time, life, accident & disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, commuter benefits, and paid holidays. This is also a bonus eligible position, including profit sharing.
- Travel Privileges: Flight privileges are extended to the employee, family, and friends on a standby basis, allowing travel globally on United's network.
- Training Stipend: During training, trainees receive a $140/week stipend, accommodations, and two meals per day.
- Training Bonus: Successful training graduates receive a $1,000 bonus.
Training Program
To commence the career, flight attendants undergo a 6.5-week training program in Houston, TX, focusing on United's safety and customer service standards. Upon successful completion, individuals join as full-time employees and are assigned to one of United's seven hubs (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles) or another flight attendant base location. Relocation funds are not provided.
Qualifications & Requirements
Applicants for the Flight Attendant position must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum age of 21 years or older at the time of application.
- High school diploma or GED required; two or more years of college preferred.
- At least one year of customer service experience in service industries such as retail, hospitality, food service, teaching/education, aviation, or social service.
- Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard in emergency situations.
- Must be fluent in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English.
- Must be fluent in speaking and reading German.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Effectively communicates in high-stress situations, including aircraft evacuations, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather, and turbulence.
- Maintains a professional appearance and excellent grooming standards, adhering to uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines.
- Tattoos are not permitted on the head, hands, or neck (including behind the ear). Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet are permitted if no larger than a credit card/employee badge (3.5 inches long x 2.24 inches wide); otherwise, they must be covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive (e.g., violent, obscene, sexual, racist, or contain objectionable content/imagery, including weapons).
- Decorative covers, adornments, and/or jewelry on teeth or in the mouth are prohibited.
- Proficiently operates electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) for completing required tasks.
- Must possess a valid passport book prior to application, with at least 18 months of validity remaining. Must have current physical possession of a valid U.S. or foreign passport book with applicable visas and eligibility to travel globally without restrictions as a working crew member. Waiting for a new or renewed passport does not meet this requirement.
- Ability to travel to and from all countries United serves without any restrictions as a working crew member. Applicants are responsible for verifying travel eligibility for all destinations United serves.
- Physically able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (such as luggage to overhead bins or window exits), and push/pull a beverage cart (up to 250 lbs.).
- Able to pass a functional reach assessment with a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach and hold (simultaneous), without shoes, to operate necessary equipment and doors.
- Able to sit in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Willing and able to work a flexible schedule in support of United’s 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Onboarding and Training Expectations
- Successfully completes a water evacuation drill during training.
- Successfully completes a pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks (including a 10-year criminal history check), fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
- Must pass DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens. Medical and recreational marijuana use is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the role.
- Background must not prohibit travel to or from anywhere United flies. For example, Canada has strict admissibility rules regarding DWI/DUI charges within the last 10 years; a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is required from the Canadian government for individuals with such history to work flights to Canada.
United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT. United ensures reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process and to perform essential job functions.