Looking to learn how to become a flight attendant?
Becoming a flight attendant can lead to a rewarding, long-term career that combines customer service, travel, and flexibility. Flight attendants regularly fly domestic and international routes, stay in hotels on layovers, and often enjoy discounted or free travel for themselves and family.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for flight attendants is around $61,640, and employment opportunities are projected to grow substantially over the next decade. Airlines are actively hiring right now, making this an excellent time to pursue a career as a flight attendant.
In this article, I interviewed Deanna Castro from Future Flight Attendant. Deanna has worked as a flight attendant for 16 years and now coaches others who want to enter the profession. The interview covers pay and how experience affects salary, day-to-day duties, training, hiring trends, and practical steps to get hired.
Topics covered include:
- How much a flight attendant can earn
- How long it takes to become a flight attendant
- How difficult it is to become a flight attendant
- Which airlines pay the most
- What a typical flight attendant shift looks like
The interview includes actionable guidance and career tips, as well as information about Deanna’s course How To Land a Flight Attendant Career, which covers airline selection, interview strategies, preparation for training, and live coaching sessions.
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How To Become A Flight Attendant
1. A bit about Deanna Castro — how she started and where she has traveled
Deanna always wanted to travel. Her first memorable flight was at age 12; she remembers a smiling flight attendant who made the pre-departure drinks service feel elegant and comforting. That experience sparked her fascination with flying.
At 19, she took time off college to study art in Italy, and later lived a life full of travel and adventure—extended stays in Hawaii, trips through the Greek Isles, the UK, and Europe. She eventually saw a job posting for flight attendants and, after encouragement from a friend who worked for an airline, applied once hiring resumed after 9/11. She was hired on her first try and began a career that would satisfy her desire to see the world while working.
Deanna has flown widely: regular routes to the UK, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and across the United States. After 16 years, she still flies and now has more control over her schedule, choosing mostly U.S. and Caribbean trips and occasionally accepting longer international layovers that offer time to explore.
2. What is a typical day like for a flight attendant?
A typical day begins with checking in at the airport. Days vary widely: some trips feel like a short vacation with an overnight in an attractive destination and time to enjoy the locale, while others are “turns” where you fly out and back the same day without a hotel stay.
“Vacation” trips usually include a 24-hour layover in a nice hotel, giving time to explore, relax, or sightsee. Productive trips or turns pack more hours in the air and less time off-aircraft, which increases working hours but can also increase pay. Deanna prefers longer workdays—12 to 14 hours—because they pass quickly and often earn more.
Daily responsibilities include interacting with passengers, addressing their concerns, serving food and beverages, ensuring safety equipment is functional, and assisting during emergencies. Crew members often form tight bonds quickly because the job and lifestyle are unique and demanding.
3. How much does a flight attendant make?
Pay varies by airline and experience. Entry-level pay at major carriers usually starts around $30 per hour, with contractual raises each year. After about 13 years, Deanna reached roughly $70 per hour. New flight attendants typically earn between $25,000 and $35,000 annually depending on the carrier.
Working for major airlines—American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest, or United—tends to result in higher long-term earnings compared to regional carriers. Experienced attendants at top carriers can make $50,000 or more after five years; many with 10+ years reach six-figure incomes. Beyond pay, the role includes travel perks like free personal travel, hotels arranged by the airline, and other benefits that make the lifestyle attractive.
4. Are airlines hiring and what is job growth like?
Yes—airlines are actively hiring. The pandemic caused some early retirements and layoffs, creating a shortage of experienced cabin crew. As travel demand returned, airlines expanded routes and fleet size, increasing the need for more flight attendants. Currently, thousands of roles are open across carriers.
5. What are the age requirements to become a flight attendant?
Minimum age requirements vary by airline: some hire at 18, others at 19, 20, or 21. Major carriers like United, Delta, Alaska, Southwest, and American typically require applicants to be at least 21. There is no upper age limit as long as candidates are physically fit and can meet job requirements. Many people become flight attendants later in life or after retirement due to the job’s flexibility and earning potential.
6. How long does it take to become a flight attendant?
Timing varies. Some airlines can complete recruitment and training in about six months; others may take a year or longer. If you’re not hired, there’s often a waiting period—six months to a year—before reapplying. Because competition is strong, the hiring timeline can stretch out, but the preparation time is useful for improving interview readiness and credentials.
7. Is it hard to become a flight attendant? What qualifications are needed?
Becoming a flight attendant is competitive. Airlines can receive large volumes of applications and hire a small percentage. However, determination and preparation make the goal achievable.
Common qualifications include:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A valid passport and ability to work and travel freely in the countries served
- A strong service orientation and customer service experience
- Meeting minimum age requirements (varies by airline)
- Physical agility to assist customers and handle equipment, including lifting and pushing beverage carts
- Passing background checks and drug tests
- Proficiency in English (speaking, reading, writing) and, for some roles, additional languages
- Willingness to relocate or commute based on operational needs
- Many airlines currently require COVID-19 vaccination
8. Which airline pays flight attendants the most?
Pay is competitive among the major carriers, with Delta, American, and United offering strong compensation. Southwest Airlines stands out for having a high hourly rate and for scheduling practices that can increase paid time. Southwest also allows attendants to sell trips to colleagues, creating another potential income or schedule flexibility advantage. Overall, Southwest is known for being particularly employee-focused when it comes to compensation and schedule options.
9. Pros and cons of being a flight attendant
Pros:
- Paid travel and generous personal travel benefits
- Good pay and benefits with potential for excellent long-term earnings
- Travel perks that often extend to family members and friends
- Opportunity to earn six figures with experience
- Frequent layovers in appealing destinations and quality hotels
- Meeting diverse people, including celebrities and professionals
- Strong camaraderie and lifelong friendships with crew members
- Flexibility and control over schedules as you gain seniority
- Discounts on rental cars, hotels, and other travel-related expenses
Cons:
- Long workdays, especially on international or multiple-leg itineraries
- Limited schedule control early in your career
- Missing family events or holidays due to travel
- Lower pay during the initial years on the job
- Occasional encounters with unruly passengers—though regulatory enforcement and fines are increasing
10. Steps to become a flight attendant
- Submit an application on the airline’s careers page
- Upload a tailored resume and cover letter
- Complete any required online assessments
- Record or participate in a video interview (pre-recorded or group)
- Complete a telephone interview if requested
- Attend face-to-face interviews or assessment days
- If selected, complete initial flight attendant training (usually 3.5 to 8 weeks)
- Graduate from training and receive your wings
- Begin working as a flight attendant
11. Additional tips for aspiring flight attendants
The process to become a flight attendant can be lengthy and competitive, but it’s worthwhile for many people. Focus on building customer service experience, improving interview skills, maintaining physical fitness, and preparing documentation like a valid passport. Practice interviewing, learn airline-specific requirements, and be persistent. Confidence, preparation, and a professional presentation help applicants stand out.
12. About Deanna’s course
Deanna’s online program, Flight Attendant School, includes instructional content plus four weekly live coaching sessions. The course emphasizes interview preparation, career counseling to help you identify the best airline fit, mock interviews, and practical guidance to present yourself confidently.
Students often report major improvements in how they perform in interviews and greater confidence heading into assessments. The course is geared toward people with no prior flight attendant experience and helps them master aviation-specific expectations and interview scenarios.
How To Become a Flight Attendant
In summary, you don’t need a college degree to become a flight attendant, though certain degrees or language skills can give you an edge with higher-end airlines. Key requirements include first-aid knowledge, understanding safety procedures, passing flight attendant training (including practical exercises and emergency equipment briefings), clearing drug tests and background checks, having strong communication skills, and holding a valid passport.
The job involves long periods of standing and active customer service, but it also offers substantial perks: travel, flexibility, strong benefits, and the chance to build a meaningful career. Whether your goal is American, Delta, Southwest, or another airline, preparation and persistence are essential.
Good luck—may you land the flight attendant job of your dreams!
Do you want to learn how to become a flight attendant?
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