Job Title: Flight Attendant
Company Overview
United Airlines is a global leader in aviation, offering an extensive route network that connects people and cultures across the world. As one of the world's largest airlines with an expansive global network, United is experiencing significant growth and is seeking dedicated professionals to join its team of over 28,000 active Flight Attendants. The company fosters a culture that supports employee growth, provides top-tier health and wellness benefits, encourages lasting connections, and offers unparalleled travel opportunities. United invites individuals to contribute to creating the future of air travel.
Position Summary
United Flight Attendants are essential to the airline's commitment to safety, exceptional customer service, and operational excellence. This highly desired role offers the unique opportunity to travel the globe while ensuring the comfort and safety of millions of customers. No prior special schooling or college degree is required, as comprehensive training is provided by United.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensuring the highest levels of safety for all passengers and crew members, prioritizing safety standards and procedures.
- Delivering a "People-First" approach by adapting to diverse customer needs with optimism, positivity, and outstanding interpersonal skills.
- Engaging directly with customers, using good judgment and compassion to resolve issues gracefully and effectively.
- Influencing customer loyalty through consistent, excellent service that represents United with pride and distinction.
- Demonstrating flexibility and availability for global assignments on a 24/7 basis, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.
- Successfully fulfilling reserve assignments on short notice and being prepared for multi-day trips away from base.
- Maintaining critical dependability and timeliness to support operational schedules and meet customer expectations.
- Working effectively both independently and as a valued member of a collaborative team.
- Serving and/or selling food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, in a professional and diligent manner.
- Crafting memorable travel experiences for customers on every flight, every day.
Training Program
Successful candidates will participate in a comprehensive 6.5-week training program located in Houston, Texas. This intensive program is designed to equip trainees with essential United safety and customer service standards. Upon successful completion of the training, individuals are welcomed as full-time employees and assigned to one of United's seven major hubs (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles) or other designated Flight Attendant base locations. While relocation funds are not provided, United supports trainees during the program with a $140/week stipend, accommodations, breakfast, and lunch. Successful training graduates receive a $1,000 bonus.
Compensation and Benefits
United is pleased to offer Flight Attendants a competitive compensation package. The starting hourly flight pay is $28.88, with the potential to reach the top of the base scale at $67.11 per hour based on seniority increases. Additional compensation is available for proficiency in certain languages, lead positions, and international assignments. The position is also eligible for profit sharing.
Competitive benefits include:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan.
- Employee Assistance Plan.
- Paid time off, including sick days and vacation days.
- Company-paid holidays.
- Commuter benefits.
- Exceptional travel privileges, allowing employees, their family, and friends to fly around the world on a standby basis.
- Inclusive uniform standards that allow employees to be their authentic selves.
United prioritizes safety and cleanliness, creating a positive environment for both employees and customers.
Qualifications and Requirements
Candidates for the Flight Attendant position must meet the following criteria:
- Be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED; candidates with two or more years of college are preferred.
- Have a minimum of one year of customer service experience in a service-related industry (e.g., retail, hospitality, food service, teaching/education, aviation, social service).
- Demonstrate the ability to speak clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard in emergency situations.
- Be fluent in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English.
- Be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Vietnamese.
- Possess the ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Be capable of communicating effectively in high-stress scenarios such as aircraft evacuation, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather, and turbulence.
- Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to excellent grooming standards, including compliance 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, or feet must not exceed the size of 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 (including but not limited to violent, obscene, sexual, racist, objectionable content, or imagery with weapons).
- Refrain from wearing decorative covers, adornments, or jewelry on teeth or in the mouth.
- Be proficient in operating electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for required tasks.
- Possess a valid passport prior to application with at least 18 months of validity remaining. Physical possession of a valid U.S. or foreign passport book is required for travel globally without restrictions. An applied-for or pending passport is not sufficient.
- Hold the ability to travel to and from all countries served by United without restrictions as a working crew member. Applicants are responsible for identifying and verifying their travel eligibility for all destinations in United's network.
- Be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage into overhead bins, window exits), and push/pull beverage carts (up to 250 lbs).
- Successfully pass a functional reach assessment requiring a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach simultaneously, without shoes, to operate necessary equipment and doors.
- Be able to sit securely in an assigned jump seat with a seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Be willing and available to work a flexible schedule in support of United's 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Onboarding and Training Expectations
Candidates should be prepared for the following during onboarding and training:
- Successful completion of a water (pool) evacuation drill during training.
- Participation in pre-employment DOT drug screening, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
- Passing DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens. The use of medical and recreational marijuana is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the role.
- Passing a 10-year background check, including criminal history. Background checks must not prohibit travel to any destination served by United (e.g., candidates with a DWI/DUI conviction or probation within the last 10 years must possess a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from the Canadian government if required for work duties involving travel to Canada).
Application Information
The application period for this position is open until June 9, 2025.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. The company is committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating, and promoting individuals regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected statuses as required by applicable law. United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.
Accommodation
United Airlines is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform crucial job functions. Please contact the company to request accommodation.