Flight Attendant
Overview
United Airlines invites dedicated and customer-focused individuals to embark on a dynamic career as a Flight Attendant. This pivotal role offers an unparalleled opportunity for professional growth, access to comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and the chance to forge lasting connections with colleagues and customers. Successful candidates will also enjoy the privilege of global travel through the airline's extensive route network. Join United Airlines in shaping the future of aviation, together.
The Role of a United Flight Attendant
As one of the world's largest airlines with an expansive network, United Airlines is experiencing unprecedented growth. The Flight Attendant position is highly coveted, offering the unique ability to explore diverse cultures and destinations while contributing to a vital team. No prior special schooling or college degree is required, as comprehensive, industry-leading training will be provided by United Airlines.
United Flight Attendants are integral to ensuring the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of passengers on every journey. This role demands a steadfast commitment to safety protocols, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the flexibility to operate in a dynamic, 24/7 global environment.
Key Responsibilities and Competencies
United Airlines Flight Attendants embody a diverse set of proficiencies crucial for delivering an outstanding inflight experience:
- Safety First: Upholding the highest standards of safety and security for all passengers and crew members. This includes responding effectively in high-stress situations such as aircraft evacuation, security threats, medical emergencies, and severe weather.
- People-First Demeanor: Demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness to various customer scenarios 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. Cultivating customer loyalty through excellent service and proudly representing United Airlines.
- Flexibility and Dependability: Maintaining availability for global assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. Fulfilling reserve assignments on short notice and being prepared for multi-day trips away from the assigned base. Dependability and timeliness are paramount for operational success and meeting customer expectations.
- Team Player: Exhibiting a consistent track record of effective independent work alongside collaborative team contributions.
- Global Explorer: Embracing the opportunity to travel the world, explore new cultures, and craft memorable experiences for every customer, on every flight, every day.
Training and Onboarding
The United Airlines Flight Attendant journey commences with industry-leading training. Successful candidates will complete 6.5 weeks of Initial Training in Houston, TX, where they will master United’s safety and service standards. During this period, Flight Attendants receive a stipend of $140 per week, dual occupancy hotel accommodations, breakfast, and either lunch or dinner, dependent on the training schedule. Upon successful completion of training and base orientation, a $1,000 bonus will be awarded, and individuals will officially join United Airlines as full-time employees.
Following training, Flight Attendants will be assigned to a base in one of United's hub locations, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, or other flight attendant base locations. Relocation funds are not provided.
Compensation and Benefits
United Airlines offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support its employees:
- Competitive Pay: Starting hourly flight pay of $28.88/hour, with a top-of-base scale at $67.11/hour. Seniority-based pay increases and additional compensation are provided for language skills, lead positions, and international trips. This position is also eligible for profit sharing.
- Outstanding Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life, accident & disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families, paid holidays, and paid time off for sick and vacation days.
- Global Travel Privileges: Employees, their families, and friends enjoy standby flight privileges anywhere United Airlines flies, offering the opportunity to travel the world and explore new cultures.
- Inclusive Culture: United Airlines promotes inclusive uniform standards, encouraging employees to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate individuality.
- Safety Focus: The airline prioritizes safety and cleanliness, ensuring a secure and hygienic travel experience for both employees and customers.
Qualifications and Requirements
Prospective Flight Attendants must meet the following criteria:
- 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 education are preferred.
- A minimum of one year of customer service experience within the service industry (e.g., retail, hospitality, food service, teaching, aviation, social service).
- Ability to speak in a clear, concise, and organized manner, with sufficient volume to be heard effectively in emergency situations.
- Proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English fluently. Proficiency in a second language, such as Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, or Tagalog, is highly desirable and considered a significant asset.
- Ability to hear all types and ranges of sound.
- Adherence to professional appearance and grooming standards, including uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines. Tattoos are not permitted on the head, hands, fingers, or neck (including the back of the neck and on, in, or behind the ear), and cannot be covered by makeup or bandages. Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet are permitted if they are not larger than a credit card (3.5 inches long x 2.24 inches wide) or are covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive (e.g., violent, obscene, sexual, racist, or contain objectionable content or imagery including weapons). Decorative covers, adornments, and/or jewelry on teeth or in the mouth are prohibited.
- Ability to proficiently operate electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) for task completion.
- Possession of a valid passport prior to application, with at least 18 months of remaining validity. The passport must be a valid U.S. passport book or a foreign passport book with applicable visas, granting eligibility to travel globally without restrictions. The passport must be in good condition; having applied for or awaiting a renewed passport is not sufficient to meet this requirement.
- Ability to travel to and from all countries United Airlines serves without any restrictions. Applicants are responsible for identifying and verifying travel eligibility to enter and exit these locations as a working crew member.
- Physical ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage to an overhead bin or window exit), and push/pull a beverage cart (up to 250 lbs.).
- Ability to pass a functional reach assessment with a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach and hold (simultaneous), without shoes, to operate all necessary equipment, machinery, and doors.
- Ability to sit 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.
- Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule supporting United's 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays, on both scheduled and reserve days.
Compliance and Pre-Employment Screening
Candidates must successfully complete the following pre-employment requirements:
- Successful completion of an evacuation drill in water (pool) during training.
- A pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
- Passing DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens. Medical and recreational marijuana use is prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the Flight Attendant position.
- Passing a 10-year background check, including criminal history. The background must not prohibit travel to or from any destination United Airlines serves. For example, Canada has strict inadmissibility classifications for DWI/DUI charges, including misdemeanors; candidates with such charges within the last 10 years may require a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from the Canadian government to fulfill work duties.
- Meeting hearing and vision requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines, with or without reasonable accommodation. This includes not having hearing loss on audiometry in the better ear greater than 40 dB (average of losses at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz) and vision of 20/40 or better corrected for both far and near vision in each eye.
This document presents a comprehensive overview of the Flight Attendant role at United Airlines, derived from official materials. For the complete, official qualifications and requirements, and detailed hiring process information, candidates are advised to refer to the official United Airlines Flight Attendant Job Description PDF and the careers website.
The application period for this position concludes on September 15, 2025.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. The company 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 is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform crucial job functions. To request accommodation, please contact JobAccommodations.