Flight Attendant
United Airlines is seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join its esteemed team as Flight Attendants. As the world's largest airline with a vast and expanding route network, United offers unparalleled opportunities for career growth, access to comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and the chance to connect with colleagues and customers while exploring the globe through extensive travel privileges. Joining United means becoming part of a dynamic team shaping the future of air travel.
Position Overview
Flight Attendants are crucial members of the cabin crew, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers while providing exceptional customer service. With over 28,000 active Flight Attendants, United operates a 24/7 schedule requiring flexibility, dedication, and a customer-first approach. This role does not require specific schooling or a college degree, as comprehensive training is provided by United.
Key Responsibilities & Proficiencies
- Safety First: Prioritize and ensure the highest levels of safety for all passengers and crew members.
- "People-First" Demeanor: Adapt and respond effectively to diverse customer situations, demonstrating optimism, positivity, and a passion for service. Engage customers through outstanding interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to resolve issues with understanding, compassion, and grace. Influence customer loyalty through excellent service and represent United with pride.
- Flexibility: Be available for assignments globally, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, often on short notice. Be prepared for reserve assignments and trips away from base for multiple days. Dependability and timeliness are paramount.
- Team Player: Consistently work effectively both independently and as part of a crew.
- Creating Memorable Experiences: Provide enjoyable travel experiences for every customer on every flight, exploring new places and cultures while working.
Compensation & Benefits
United is pleased to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Starting Pay: $28.88 per hour flight pay, with top of base scale reaching $67.11 per hour based on seniority.
- Additional Compensation: Opportunities for increased pay through language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
- Benefits: Access to competitive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life, accident & disability coverage, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), commuter benefits, paid holidays, paid time off (sick and vacation), and a 401(k) retirement plan.
- Travel Privileges: Extensive flight privileges for the employee, their family, and friends on a standby basis across United's global network.
- Bonus Eligibility: This position is eligible for profit sharing and may include other bonuses.
Training Program
Selected candidates will attend approximately 6.5 weeks of comprehensive training in Houston, TX. This training covers United's safety and customer service standards. Upon successful completion, individuals will be welcomed as full-time employees and 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. During training, United provides a $140/week stipend, accommodations, and two meals per day. Successful training graduates receive a $1,000 bonus. Trainees must successfully complete a water evacuation drill.
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.
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED; two or more years of college are preferred.
- Must 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 clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard in an emergency.
- Must be fluent in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English.
- Must be fluent in speaking and reading German.
- Must be able to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Must be able to communicate effectively during high-stress situations such as evacuations, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather, and turbulence.
- Must maintain a professional appearance and adhere to grooming standards, including 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" x 2.24") or if covered by the uniform. Visible tattoos must not be offensive. Decorative covers or adornments on teeth are prohibited.
- Must be proficient in operating electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for required tasks.
- Must possess a valid passport prior to application with at least 18 months of validity remaining. 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 as a working crew member. Waiting for a new or renewed passport is not sufficient.
- Must be able to travel to and from all countries United serves without restrictions. Applicants are responsible for verifying travel eligibility for all destinations.
- Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage to overhead bins, window exits), and push/pull beverage carts (up to 250 lbs.).
- Must be able to pass a functional reach assessment demonstrating a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach and hold (simultaneous), without shoes.
- Must be able to sit in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Must be able to serve and/or sell food and beverages (including alcohol) professionally.
- 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, and holidays.
Hiring Process & Onboarding
Candidates must successfully complete pre-employment DOT drug screening, comprehensive background checks (including a 10-year criminal history check), fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests. Ability to pass DOT/FAA randomized drug screens is required; medical and recreational marijuana use is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the position. Background checks must not prohibit travel to any United destination. Applicants with a DWI/DUI conviction or probation within the last 10 years may require a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from the Canadian government to travel to Canada for work duties.
United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer and 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 committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process and perform essential job functions.
Job Posting End Date: 05/20/2025.
For more details on the Flight Attendant position and hiring process, please visit the careers website. Note that the requirements listed here are supplementary; please refer to the official United Airlines Flight Attendant Job Description for the full list of qualifications and requirements.