Flight Attendant
Location: Company Hubs (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, and other base locations)
Job Posting End Date: May 20, 2025
Overview
A career with United Airlines offers an opportunity to achieve professional goals while supporting the organization's mission. Employees grow their careers, access comprehensive health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with colleagues and customers, and explore the world through the extensive route network. United Airlines invites individuals to join in defining the future of air travel.
Description
With over 28,000 active Flight Attendants, United Airlines operates the largest and most expansive network in the world and is experiencing unprecedented growth. The Flight Attendant role provides the unique ability to see the world while working. This position does not require specialized schooling or a college degree, as full training is provided by United.
Key Benefits & Compensation:
- Travel Privileges: Employees, their families, and friends enjoy standby travel privileges across the global network.
- Outstanding Benefits: A competitive benefits package is offered, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off for sick leave and vacation, and an Employee Assistance Plan.
- Competitive Compensation: The starting hourly flight pay is $28.88, with the top of the base scale reaching $67.11 per hour. Pay increases are seniority-based, with additional compensation available for language skills, lead positions, and international trips. A bonus is also eligible (e.g., profit sharing). The starting rate for this role is $28.88.
- Training: Successful training graduates receive a $1,000 bonus.
Training Program:
The career begins with a comprehensive 6.5-week training program located in Houston, TX. This training focuses on United's safety and customer service standards. Upon successful completion, trainees are welcomed as full-time employees and assigned to one of the seven hubs or other flight attendant base locations (relocation funds are not provided). During training, United provides a $140/week stipend, along with accommodations, breakfast, and lunch daily. Flight Attendant trainees must successfully complete a water evacuation drill.
Inflight Crew Member Proficiencies:
Flight Attendants are essential members of the inflight team, embodying key proficiencies:
- Safety First: Ensuring the highest levels of safety for all passengers and crew.
- A "People-First" Demeanor: Demonstrating optimism and positivity, the ability to adapt and respond to diverse customer scenarios, and a passion for service. Engaging directly with customers through outstanding interpersonal skills, exercising good judgment, and resolving issues with understanding, compassion, and grace to influence customer loyalty. Representing United Airlines with pride and distinction.
- Flexibility: Available for global assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, reflecting the comprehensive route network. Fulfilling reserve assignments on short notice and being away from base for multiple days at a time. Dependability and timeliness are critical for maintaining the schedule and meeting customer expectations.
- Team Player: Possessing a consistent track record of working effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Creating Memorable Experiences: Embarking on a career that allows for travel, exploring new cultures, and crafting positive experiences for every customer on every flight.
Qualifications and Requirements:
To be considered for the Flight Attendant position, applicants 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.
- Have at least one year of customer service experience in a service industry (e.g., retail, hospitality, food service, teaching/education, aviation, social service).
- Must be able to speak in a clear, concise, and organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard in an emergency situation.
- Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently.
- Ability to speak, read, write, and understand German fluently.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Effectively communicate in high-stress situations, including aircraft evacuation, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather conditions, and turbulence.
- Maintain a professional appearance, adhere to excellent grooming standards, and comply with 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 but may not be larger than a credit card / employee badge (3.5 inches long x 2.24 inches wide) unless covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive (e.g., violent, obscene, sexual, racist, objectionable content, or imagery including weapons).
- Decorative covers, adornments, and/or jewelry on teeth or in the mouth are not permitted.
- Ability to proficiently operate electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) to complete required tasks.
- Must possess a valid passport prior to application with at least 18 months of remaining validity.
- Must be in current physical possession of a valid U.S. passport book or foreign passport book with applicable visas and eligibility to travel globally without restrictions. Having applied for or waiting for a renewed passport book is not sufficient.
- Ability to travel to and from all countries United Airlines serves without any restrictions as a working crew member. Applicants are responsible for identifying and verifying travel eligibility for all destinations served by United Airlines.
- Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (such as luggage to overhead bins or window exits), and push and 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, to operate necessary equipment and doors.
- Ability to sit in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Required to serve and/or sell food and beverages (including alcohol) in a diligent and professional manner.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule in support of United's 24/7 operation (including weekdays, weekends, holidays, etc.).
Onboarding and Training Expectations:
- Successfully complete a water evacuation drill during training.
- Willingness to complete a pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
- Must pass DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens. Medical and recreational marijuana is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the position.
- Must pass a 10-year background check, including criminal history. The background check must not prohibit travel to or from any destination United Airlines serves. For example, a DWI/DUI conviction or probation within the last 10 years may require obtaining a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from the Canadian government for travel to Canada.
Compensation and Benefits:
United Airlines offers employees a competitive compensation package, exceptional benefits, and travel privileges. This includes competitive pay, additional compensation for language skills, lead positions, and international trips, comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k)), and flight privileges for the employee, family, and friends (standby status, subject to collective bargaining agreement). United Airlines is committed to inclusive uniform standards that celebrate individuality. Safety and cleanliness are paramount in the travel experience for both employees and customers.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
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. United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.
Individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process and perform crucial job functions. To request accommodation, please contact the appropriate channel.