United Airlines Flight Attendant Job Description

United Airlines is seeking dedicated and service-oriented individuals to join its world-class team as Flight Attendants. This role offers a unique opportunity to embark on a dynamic aviation career, supporting company goals while achieving personal growth. As a United Flight Attendant, one accesses top-tier health and wellness benefits, builds lasting connections with colleagues and customers, and travels the globe using the airline's extensive route network.

United currently operates the largest airline network in the world and is experiencing unprecedented growth. Serving as a Flight Attendant provides the unique ability to see the world while working. United does not require specific schooling or a college degree for this position, providing comprehensive training to all successful candidates.

Role Description:

A United Flight Attendant serves as a crucial member of the cabin crew, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. Key responsibilities include:

Prioritizing and maintaining the highest levels of safety standards.
Demonstrating a "People-First" approach with the ability to adapt and respond effectively to diverse customer scenarios.
Serving with optimism and positivity.
Engaging directly with customers through outstanding interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to resolve issues with understanding, compassion, and grace.
Building customer loyalty through excellent service delivery.
Representing United Airlines with pride and distinction.
Serving and/or selling food and beverages, including alcohol, in a professional manner.

Given United's comprehensive global route network, Flight Attendants must be available for assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. This role requires flexibility, including the ability to fulfill reserve assignments on short notice and be away from the assigned base for multiple days at a time. Dependability and timeliness are critical to operational success and meeting customer expectations. Successful candidates will have a consistent track record of working effectively both independently and as part of a team.

This position offers the chance to turn dreams into reality by traveling the world, exploring new cultures, and crafting memorable experiences for every customer on every flight, every day.

Training:

The journey begins with industry-leading Flight Attendant training. Candidates will spend 6.5 weeks attending Initial Training in Houston, TX, learning United's rigorous safety and service standards. During training, a base will be assigned at one of United's hubs, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, or another Flight Attendant base location (relocation funds are not provided). Upon successful completion of training and attending base orientation, trainees are welcomed as full-time United employees. While in training, United provides a stipend of $140 per week, dual occupancy hotel accommodations, breakfast, and either lunch or dinner (dependent on the training schedule). Successful training graduates are eligible to receive a $1,000 bonus.

Compensation & Benefits:

United offers a competitive compensation package.

Starting hourly flight pay is $28.88 per hour.
The top of base scale pay is $67.11 per hour.
Seniority-based pay increases are provided.
Additional compensation is available for language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
This position is also bonus eligible, including participation in profit sharing.
Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance.
A 401(k) retirement savings plan is offered.
Paid time off for sick leave and vacation is provided.
An Employee Assistance Plan is available for employees and their families.
Generous flight privileges allow the employee, their family, and friends to fly anywhere in the world on standby status.
United embraces inclusive uniform standards, encouraging employees to be their authentic selves.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Candidates must meet the following qualifications and requirements:

Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
Possess a high school diploma or GED; two or more years of college are preferred.
Have at least one year of customer service experience in the 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, loud enough to be heard during emergencies.
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently.
Ability to speak, read, and write Dutch fluently.
Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound, meeting FAA and United Airlines hearing requirements (average hearing loss in the better ear not greater than 40 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz).
Effectively communicate in high-stress situations (e.g., evacuations, security threats, medical emergencies, severe weather).
Maintain a professional appearance with excellent grooming standards and adhere to uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines. Tattoos are not permitted on the head, hands, or neck. Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet must not exceed the size of a credit card/employee badge (3.5" x 2.24") unless covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not contain offensive imagery. Decorative covers or jewelry on teeth/in the mouth are not permitted.
Proficiently operate electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for required tasks.
Possess a valid U.S. passport book or foreign passport book with applicable visas prior to application. The passport must be in physical possession, in good condition, and have at least 18 months of validity remaining at the time of application. Travel eligibility must be without restrictions to all countries United serves.
Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage to overhead bin or window exit), and push and pull a beverage cart (up to 250 lbs.).
Pass a functional reach assessment demonstrating 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.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Willing and able to work a flexible schedule supporting United's 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.

Onboarding and Training Expectations:

Successful candidates must:

Successfully complete a water evacuation drill during training.
Be willing to complete pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
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.
Pass a 10-year background check, including criminal history, that does not prohibit travel to or from any destination United serves.
Meet hearing and vision requirements as established by the FAA and United Airlines (vision must be 20/40 or better corrected for both far and near vision in each eye).

The Job Posting End Date is 9/29/2025.

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 ensures 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's designated channel to request accommodation.