United Airlines | Flight Attendant

Flight Attendant - United Airlines

Overview

United Airlines is committed to fostering the professional growth of its employees, supporting their career aspirations, and offering access to top-tier health and wellness benefits. This role provides the unique opportunity to build lasting connections with colleagues and customers, alongside the privilege of global travel through United’s extensive route network. United Airlines invites dedicated individuals to join its team and contribute to shaping the future of aviation, together.

About the Role

As the largest airline globally with the most expansive network, United Airlines is experiencing unprecedented growth, currently operating with over 28,000 active Flight Attendants. The unique opportunity to travel the world as part of one's profession makes the Flight Attendant role highly desired. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training directly from United Airlines; no prior special schooling or college degree is required for this entry-level position.

Industry-Leading Training

The United journey commences with an industry-leading Flight Attendant training program. Trainees will complete 6.5 weeks of Initial Training in Houston, TX, where they will master United's rigorous safety protocols and exceptional service standards. During this period, Flight Attendants are assigned a base from one of United's seven hubs – Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles – or other designated base locations (relocation funds are not provided). Upon successful completion of training and base orientation, individuals are officially welcomed as full-time United employees. During the training period, United provides a weekly stipend of $140, dual occupancy hotel accommodations, and daily breakfast, with lunch or dinner provided based on the training schedule.

Compensation & Benefits

United Airlines offers a highly competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits designed to support its employees' well-being and lifestyle. United is proud to offer inclusive uniform standards, allowing employees to express their authentic selves at work while prioritizing safety and cleanliness throughout the travel experience for both employees and customers.

• Competitive Salary: Starting hourly flight pay of $28.88, with potential to reach a top-of-base scale of $67.11 per hour. Seniority-based pay increases are implemented, with additional compensation for language skills, lead positions, and international trips.
• Performance Bonus: This role is eligible for bonus programs, including profit-sharing. A $1,000 bonus is awarded upon successful completion of training.
• Extensive Travel Privileges: Employees, their families, and friends enjoy standby flight privileges across United's extensive global network, enabling worldwide travel.
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life, accident, and disability coverage. An Employee Assistance Program is also available for employees and their families.
• Financial Security: Participation in a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off for sick leave and vacation, along with paid holidays.
• Training Support: During the 6.5-week training period, trainees receive a $140 weekly stipend, dual occupancy hotel accommodations, and two meals per day.

Key Responsibilities of a United Flight Attendant

United Airlines Flight Attendants are integral to delivering a world-class travel experience, embodying safety, service, and professionalism on every flight. Key responsibilities include:

• Safety & Security: Prioritizing and ensuring the highest levels of safety and security for all passengers and crew members at all times.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Demonstrating a “People-First” demeanor, adapting and responding effectively to diverse customer scenarios with optimism, positivity, and outstanding interpersonal skills. This includes exercising good judgment, resolving issues with understanding, compassion, and grace, and influencing customer loyalty through excellent service. Flight Attendants proudly represent United with distinction.
• Operational Flexibility: Operating within the airline's global network, Flight Attendants must be available for assignments 24/7, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours. This encompasses fulfilling reserve assignments on short notice and being away from their assigned base for multiple days.
• Dependability & Punctuality: Maintaining critical levels of dependability and timeliness to ensure seamless operation of the flight schedule and to consistently meet customer expectations.
• Team Collaboration: Proving a consistent ability to work both independently and as a collaborative member of the inflight crew team.
• Creating Memorable Experiences: Engaging with passengers to foster a positive and enjoyable travel environment, facilitating opportunities to explore new cultures, and crafting memorable experiences on every flight.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates for the Flight Attendant position must meet the following essential qualifications and requirements:

• Age: Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Education: High school graduate or possess a GED is required; 2 or more years of college education are preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of one year of customer service experience in a service-oriented industry (e.g., retail, hospitality, food service, teaching, aviation, social service).
• Communication Skills:
  • Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English fluently.
  • Must be able to communicate clearly, concisely, and audibly, capable of being heard in emergency situations.
  • Proficiency in a second language, particularly 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 effectively communicate during high-stress situations, such as aircraft evacuation, security threats, medical emergencies, or severe weather.
• Physical & Sensory Abilities:
  • Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift heavy objects (e.g., luggage to overhead bins or window exits).
  • Must be able to push and pull beverage carts (up to 250 lbs.).
  • Ability to pass a functional reach assessment, demonstrating a combined 76-inch vertical and 43.5-inch horizontal reach (simultaneous, without shoes) to operate all necessary equipment 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.
• Professional Presentation:
  • Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to excellent grooming standards.
  • Willingness to follow strict uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines.
  • No tattoos are permitted on the head, hands, fingers, or neck (including back of 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 not larger than a credit card (3.5 x 2.24 inches) or if covered by standard uniform pieces. Visible tattoos must not be offensive (e.g., violent, obscene, sexual, racist, objectionable content, or weaponry).
  • Decorative covers, adornments, or jewelry on teeth or in the mouth are not permitted.
• Travel & Documentation:
  • Must possess a valid U.S. passport book or a foreign passport book with applicable visas, ensuring eligibility to travel globally without restrictions. The passport must be in good condition with at least 18 months of remaining validity at the time of application. Having applied for a passport or waiting for a renewed one is not sufficient; the passport must be in physical possession prior to starting training.
  • Ability to travel to and from all countries United serves without any restrictions as a working crew member.
• Legal & Operational:
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
  • Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule to support United’s 24/7 operation, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays on scheduled or reserve days.
  • Ability to proficiently operate electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for task completion.

Pre-employment & Training Requirements

Prospective Flight Attendants must successfully navigate the following pre-employment and training milestones:

• Successful completion of a water evacuation drill (pool) during training.
• Willingness to undergo pre-employment DOT drug screens, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests.
• Ability to pass DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screenings. Medical and recreational marijuana use is strictly prohibited due to the safety-sensitive nature of the role.
• Successful completion of a 10-year background check, including criminal history. Candidates' backgrounds must not impede travel to any United destination. Applicants with a DWI/DUI conviction or probation within the last 10 years may face travel restrictions to countries like Canada unless a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) has been obtained.
• Meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines hearing and vision standards, including specific audiometry requirements (e.g., no hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 dB when losses at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz are averaged) and corrected vision of 20/40 or better for both far and near vision in each eye.

Application Information

This job posting is scheduled to close on September 15, 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

Further details on the Flight Attendant position, hiring process, and comprehensive official job description are available.

Diversity & Inclusion at United Airlines

United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating, and promoting individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, or other protected status as required by applicable law. United actively supports diversity and inclusion, welcoming minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBT community.

United Airlines ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, and to perform crucial job functions. To request accommodation, applicants should reach out to the appropriate department.