Flight Attendant
United Airlines invites applications for the position of Flight Attendant, offering a unique opportunity to travel the world while providing exceptional service and ensuring the highest levels of safety. As a Flight Attendant with one of the world's largest airlines, this role is integral to delivering a safe, positive, and memorable travel experience for customers across an extensive global network.
Achieving professional goals is supported through comprehensive health and wellness benefits, opportunities for career growth, and the chance to build lasting connections with colleagues and customers. Employees also benefit from extensive travel privileges.
Position Overview:
A Flight Attendant serves as a vital member of the cabin crew, prioritizing the safety and comfort of all passengers. This role involves executing safety procedures, providing attentive customer service, and representing the airline with pride and distinction on domestic and international flights. Flight Attendants are fully trained by United, with no requirement for prior special schooling or a college degree, though higher education is preferred.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure the highest levels of safety for all passengers by executing and monitoring safety procedures and equipment.
- Provide outstanding customer service with a "People-First" demeanor, demonstrating adaptability, optimism, positivity, and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Engage directly with customers, exercising good judgment and resolving issues with understanding, compassion, and grace.
- Serve and/or sell food and beverages, including alcohol, in a professional manner.
- Assist passengers with luggage and provide support during boarding, deplaning, and in-flight.
- Work effectively both independently and as a part of a collaborative crew team.
- Handle high-stress situations effectively, communicating clearly during emergencies, delays, or other disruptions.
- Represent United Airlines professionally, adhering to uniform and grooming standards.
- Maintain flexibility to work a demanding and variable schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, fulfilling reserve assignments and being away from base for multiple days.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Candidates must meet the following criteria at the time of application:
- Minimum age of 21 years.
- Possession of a High School Diploma or GED; two or more years of college is preferred.
- At least one year of customer service experience in a service industry (e.g., retail, hospitality, food service, teaching/education, aviation, social service).
- Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard in an emergency.
- Fluency in spoken, read, and written English is required. Proficiency in a second language is highly desirable and considered an asset (including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese - Cantonese and Mandarin, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tagalog).
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Capacity to communicate effectively in high-stress situations such as aircraft evacuation, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather, and turbulence.
- Commitment to maintaining a professional appearance, excellent grooming standards, and adherence to uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines. Note: Tattoos are not permitted on the head, hands, or neck (including behind the ear). Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet must be no larger than a credit card/employee badge (3.5 x 2.24 inches) or must be covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive. Decorative covers, adornments, or jewelry on or in the teeth/mouth are not permitted.
- Proficiency in operating electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for required tasks.
- Physical possession of a valid U.S. passport book or foreign passport book with applicable visas prior to application. The passport must be in good condition with at least 18 months of remaining validity at the time of application. Eligibility to travel globally without restrictions is mandatory; candidates must be able to enter and exit all countries United serves as a working crew member.
- Physical ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage to overhead bin, window exit), and push/pull beverage carts (up to 250 lbs).
- Ability to pass a functional reach assessment demonstrating a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach and hold (simultaneous), without shoes.
- Ability to sit securely 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 supporting a 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and on short notice. Dependability and timeliness are critical.
Training and Onboarding:
Successful candidates will undergo a mandatory 6.5-week training program in Houston, TX. This comprehensive training covers United's safety procedures and customer service standards. Trainees must successfully complete various assessments, including an evacuation drill in the water (pool). During training, United provides a weekly stipend, accommodations, and two meals per day. Upon successful completion of training, individuals are welcomed as full-time employees and assigned to one of the seven hubs – Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles – or another flight attendant base location (relocation funds are not provided). A $1,000 bonus is awarded upon successful training graduation.
Pre-employment requirements include passing a DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks (including a 10-year criminal history check), fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests. Candidates must pass DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens; medical and recreational marijuana use is prohibited. Background checks must not prohibit travel to any location United serves.
Compensation and Benefits:
United Airlines offers a competitive compensation package. 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. Additional compensation is provided for language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
Employees receive competitive benefits, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Life, Accident & Disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Commuter benefits
- Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (vacation and sick time)
- Flight privileges allowing the employee, their family, and friends to fly on a standby basis across the United network.
This position is also eligible for bonus opportunities, including profit sharing.
United is committed to safety and cleanliness standards for both employees and customers and maintains inclusive uniform standards, encouraging employees to be their authentic selves.
Application Deadline:
The application period for this position closes on 05/27/2025.
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.
United Airlines ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please contact the Job Accommodations department to request accommodation.