Flight Attendant
United Airlines offers rewarding career opportunities for individuals passionate about safety, service, and global travel. A career as a United Flight Attendant allows professionals to explore the world while providing exceptional service to customers across the most expansive network.
Achieving professional goals is supported through top-tier health and wellness benefits, opportunities for career advancement, and building lasting connections with colleagues and customers. United is seeking dedicated individuals to help define the future of travel.
Role Overview
United Flight Attendants are the face of the airline, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers on every flight. This highly desired position does not require specific schooling or a college degree, as comprehensive training is provided by United Airlines. Flight Attendants are integral to the operational success and customer experience, embodying United's commitment to safety, service, and connection.
Key Responsibilities and Proficiencies
- Prioritizing and upholding the highest levels of safety standards and procedures.
- Providing exceptional "People-First" customer service with optimism, positivity, and grace.
- Engaging directly with customers, demonstrating outstanding interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to resolve issues with understanding and compassion.
- Influencing customer loyalty through excellent service delivery.
- Representing United Airlines with pride, distinction, and a professional appearance.
- Operating effectively in a flexible environment, available for global assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.
- Fulfilling reserve assignments and being away from base for multiple days at a time.
- Demonstrating dependability and timeliness critical for maintaining the operational schedule and meeting customer expectations.
- Working effectively both independently and as a collaborative team member.
- Turning travel dreams into reality by helping craft memorable experiences for every customer on every flight.
- Proficiently operating electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) required for tasks.
- Serving and selling food and beverages (including alcohol) in a diligent and professional manner.
Training
Successful candidates will participate in a 6.5-week training program in Houston, TX. This comprehensive training covers United's safety protocols and customer service standards. Upon successful completion, individuals are 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 designated flight attendant base location (relocation funds are not provided). United provides a weekly per diem, accommodations, and select meals during training. A bonus is awarded upon successful training graduation.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Minimum age of 21 years 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 the 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 during emergencies.
- Fluent communication skills (speaking, reading, writing, and understanding) in English are required. Proficiency in a second language is highly desirable. Fluency in languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, or Tagalog is an asset.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Effective communication skills in high-stress situations, including emergencies, security threats, and adverse conditions.
- Professional appearance, adherence to excellent grooming standards, and willingness to follow uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines. Tattoos are restricted on the head, hands, and neck; visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet are permitted if no larger than a credit card/employee badge or covered by uniform pieces, and must not contain offensive imagery. Decorative covers or adornments on teeth/in the mouth are not permitted.
- Must possess a valid passport book at the time of application with at least 18 months of remaining validity and eligibility to travel globally without restrictions as a working crew member. Applicants are responsible for identifying and verifying travel eligibility to all countries United serves.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule in support of United's 24/7 operation (including weekdays, weekends, holidays).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift heavy objects such as luggage to overhead bins or window exits.
- Ability to push and pull a beverage cart weighing up to 250 lbs.
- Ability to pass a functional reach assessment demonstrating a combined vertical and horizontal reach and hold (simultaneous) without shoes.
- Ability to sit securely in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Must successfully complete an evacuation drill in water during training.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Successful candidates must pass pre-employment DOT drug screening, comprehensive background checks (including criminal history), fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests. The 10-year background check must not prohibit travel to or from any destination United serves. Specific travel restrictions, such as those related to DWI/DUI history in Canada, may impact eligibility.
Benefits and Compensation
United Airlines offers a competitive compensation package and benefits for employees, including:
- Competitive starting hourly flight pay with seniority-based increases and additional compensation for language skills, lead positions, and international trips. The starting rate for this role is $28.88 per hour, with top of base scale reaching $67.11 per hour.
- Bonus eligibility, including participation in profit sharing.
- Competitive benefits package featuring medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, accident & disability coverage, employee assistance program, commuter benefits, paid holidays, paid time off (vacation and sick time), and 401(k).
- Exceptional flight privileges for employees, their family, and friends on a standby basis across United's extensive global network.
- Inclusive uniform standards that allow employees to express individuality while maintaining a professional appearance.
- A commitment to safety and cleanliness for both employees and customers.
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 is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities throughout the job application, interview process, and performance of essential job functions. Reasonable accommodation is provided for individuals with disabilities seeking to participate in the application or interview process or perform crucial job functions.