Flight Attendant
Overview
This role supports individual career aspirations while contributing to organizational objectives. The position offers opportunities for professional growth, access to comprehensive health and wellness benefits, the chance to build lasting connections with colleagues and customers, and the ability to travel the world utilizing an extensive route network. Join a team dedicated to shaping the future of aviation, defining tomorrow together.
Description
As a Flight Attendant with one of the world's largest airlines boasting the most expansive network, individuals join a team of over 28,000 active flight attendants during a period of unprecedented growth. This highly desired role offers the unique ability to experience global travel while working. No special schooling or college degree is required, as successful candidates receive full training provided by the airline.
Key aspects of the role and benefits include:
- Travel Privileges: Employees and their loved ones enjoy the ability to fly globally on the airline's network.
- Outstanding Benefits: A competitive benefits package is provided, including 401(k), health, dental, and vision insurance, and an Employee Assistance Plan for the employee and family. Paid time off for sick and vacation is also offered.
- Compensation: The starting hourly flight pay is $28.88, with the top of the base scale reaching $67.11 per hour. Pay increases are based on seniority, with additional compensation available for language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
- Comprehensive Training: New hires participate in a 6.5-week training program in Houston, TX, focusing on safety and customer service standards. Upon successful completion, trainees become full-time employees and are assigned to one of the airline's hubs (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles) or another flight attendant base location. Relocation funds are not provided. During training, a $140/week per diem, accommodation, and two meals per day (breakfast and lunch) are furnished. Successful training graduates also receive a $1,000 bonus.
Inflight Crew Member Proficiencies
Successful Flight Attendants demonstrate the following proficiencies:
- Safety First: Ensures the highest levels of safety are maintained on every flight.
- "People-First" Demeanor: Possesses the ability to adapt and respond effectively to diverse customer-facing scenarios. Approaches service with optimism and positivity, engaging directly with customers through outstanding interpersonal skills and good judgment. Resolves issues with understanding, compassion, and grace, influencing customer loyalty through excellent service. Represents the airline with pride and distinction.
- Flexibility: Operates within a 24/7 global network, requiring availability for assignments including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. Fulfills reserve assignments on short notice and may be away from base for multiple days. Dependability and timeliness are crucial for schedule adherence and meeting customer expectations.
- Team Player: Demonstrates a consistent track record of working effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Creating Memorable Experiences: Contributes to turning travel dreams into reality, fostering enjoyable experiences, enabling global travel and cultural exploration, and crafting memorable moments for every customer on every flight, every day.
Qualifications
Required qualifications and requirements include:
- Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Possesses a high school diploma or GED; two or more years of college are preferred.
- Holds 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 clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard in emergency situations.
- Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently.
- Must be able to read and speak German fluently.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Effectively communicates in high-stress situations such as aircraft evacuation, 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 x 2.24 inches), otherwise, they must be covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive. 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.) for required tasks.
- Must possess a valid passport book prior to application with at least 18 months of remaining validity. Must have current physical possession of a valid U.S. passport book or foreign passport book with applicable visas and eligibility to travel globally without restrictions.
- Ability to travel to and from all countries served by the airline without restrictions as a working crew member.
- 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, 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) diligently and professionally.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule supporting a 24/7 operation (weekdays, weekends, holidays, etc.).
Onboarding and Training Expectations
Flight attendant trainees are required to successfully complete a water evacuation drill during training. Candidates must be willing to complete pre-employment DOT drug screens, comprehensive background checks, 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 position. A 10-year background check, including criminal history, is required. Background must not prohibit travel to or from any destination served by the airline. For example, Canada has strict inadmissibility classifications for DWI/DUI charges within the last 10 years unless a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is already secured.
Compensation and Benefits
The airline offers employees a competitive compensation package, including competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and travel privileges. Additional compensation is provided for language skills, lead positions, and international trips. Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), vacation, and sick time. Flight privileges for the employee, family, and friends are available on a standby basis. The airline maintains inclusive uniform standards. Safety and cleanliness are prioritized. During training, a $140/week stipend, accommodations, and two meals per day are provided. Successful training graduates receive a $1,000 bonus.
The starting rate for this role is $28.88 per hour. This position is also eligible for bonuses, including profit sharing. Competitive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, employee assistance program, commuter benefits, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k), and flight privileges (subject to the respective collective bargaining agreement).
The Job Posting End Date is 05/20/2025.
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.
Individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform crucial job functions.