Flight Attendant
Overview
United Airlines invites candidates to embark on a rewarding career journey where achieving professional goals aligns with supporting personal aspirations. As a Flight Attendant at United, individuals gain access to top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with colleagues and customers, and travel the world utilizing the airline's extensive route network. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of travel and define tomorrow, together.
United Airlines operates the largest airline in the world with the most expansive network. The company is experiencing unprecedented growth, offering a highly desired opportunity to see the world while working. This position does not require specialized schooling or a college degree, as successful candidates will receive comprehensive training provided by United.
Training
The United journey commences with industry-leading Flight Attendant training, involving 6.5 weeks of intensive instruction in Houston, TX. Trainees will master United's stringent safety and service standards. During training, participants are assigned a base at one of United's primary hubs or other flight attendant base locations (relocation funds are not provided). Upon successful completion of training and base orientation, individuals transition to full-time United employees. A weekly stipend of $140 is provided during training, along with dual occupancy hotel accommodations and two meals per day (breakfast plus lunch or dinner). Successful training graduates receive a $1,000 bonus.
Key Responsibilities
United Flight Attendants are essential members of the inflight crew, responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of customers on every flight. Key proficiencies required include:
- Safety First: Maintaining the highest levels of safety protocols and procedures.
- Customer Service: Demonstrating a "People-First" approach, adapting to and effectively responding to various customer-facing scenarios with optimism and positivity. Engaging customers through outstanding interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and resolving issues with understanding, compassion, and grace. Cultivating customer loyalty through excellent service. Representing United with pride and distinction.
- Flexibility: Available for global assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. Must be prepared to fulfill reserve assignments on short notice and be away from base for multiple days.
- Dependability & Timeliness: Consistently reliable and punctual to support operational schedules and meet customer expectations.
- Teamwork: Possessing a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as part of a cohesive team.
- Creating Memorable Experiences: Contributing to the ability for individuals to travel the world, explore new cultures, and craft memorable experiences for every customer on every flight.
Compensation & Benefits
United Airlines offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Starting Pay: Flight Attendants begin with an hourly flight pay of $28.88, with the potential to reach the top of the base scale at $67.11/hour based on seniority.
- Additional Compensation: Opportunities for additional pay exist for language skills, holding lead positions, and operating international trips.
- Benefits: Access to competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), vacation, sick time, life insurance, accident & disability coverage, employee assistance program, commuter benefits, and paid holidays.
- Travel Privileges: Employees, their family members, and friends enjoy flight privileges on a stand-by basis, allowing travel around the world on United's extensive network.
Qualifications and Requirements
Candidates interested in the Flight Attendant position 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 is preferred.
- Have at least one year of customer service experience in a service industry setting (e.g., retail, hospitality, food service, teaching/education, aviation, social services).
- Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and audibly enough to be heard in emergency situations.
- Must be fluent in spoken, written, and understood English.
- Must be fluent in spoken and written German.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Capability to communicate effectively during high-stress situations such as aircraft evacuations, security threats, delays, medical emergencies, severe weather, and turbulence.
- Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to excellent grooming standards, including following uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines. Head, hand, and neck tattoos (including behind the ear) are not permitted. Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet are allowed if they are no larger than a credit card (3.5" x 2.24") or are covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive (violent, obscene, sexual, racist, objectionable content, or imagery including weapons).
- Decorative covers, adornments, and jewelry on teeth or in the mouth are prohibited.
- Proficiently operate electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) for task completion.
- Must possess a valid passport book at the time of application. This must be a physical passport book in good condition, with at least 18 months of remaining validity. Having only applied for or awaiting a renewed passport is not sufficient.
- Must possess a valid U.S. passport book or foreign passport book with applicable visas allowing global travel without restrictions to all countries United serves as a working crew member, not as a passenger. Candidates are responsible for verifying travel eligibility.
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing, walking, kneeling, bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting heavy objects (e.g., luggage into overhead bins, window exits), and pushing/pulling beverage carts (up to 250 lbs.).
- Ability to pass a functional reach assessment requiring a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach and hold simultaneously, barefoot, to operate necessary equipment and doors.
- Ability to sit comfortably in an assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened.
- Required to serve and/or sell food and beverages (including alcohol) in a diligent and professional manner.
- 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, and holidays.
Onboarding and Training Expectations
During onboarding and training, candidates can expect the following:
- Successful completion of an evacuation drill performed in water (a pool) during training.
- Completion of a pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
- Must pass DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens. Medical and recreational marijuana is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the position.
- Ability to pass a 10-year background check, including criminal history. The background must not prohibit travel to any location United flies. Candidates with DWI/DUI charges or convictions within the last 10 years may require a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from the Canadian government to travel to and from Canada for work duties.
- Must meet hearing and vision requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, as established by the FAA and United Airlines. This includes specific criteria for hearing loss and corrected far and near vision (20/40 or better in each eye).
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. Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and perform crucial job functions. To request accommodation, please contact the appropriate channels.
Please note: This is not the official overview of qualifications/requirements. Candidates are encouraged to view the Official United Airlines Flight Attendant Job Description for complete details.
The Job Posting End Date is 9/29/2025.