How Much Do Flight Attendants Make Per Hour? | Salary, Rates & Job Market Trends

Introduction

Being a flight attendant is a highly sought-after job, offering the opportunity to travel the world while helping passengers have a comfortable and safe journey. But how much do flight attendants make per hour? This article will explore the salaries and hourly rates of flight attendants in different regions, changes to the job market over the past decade and the impact of ancillary services.

Interview with a Flight Attendant

To gain some insight into the role of a flight attendant and their salary, we spoke to Sarah, a flight attendant with 15 years of experience. Sarah works for a major international airline and has been based at their hub airport in Europe for the last five years.

Sarah explained that her salary is based on the number of hours she works each month, which can vary depending on the time of year and her roster. She said that she typically earns between $2,000 and $3,000 per month, and that she usually works around 80 hours per month.

Sarah also mentioned that her salary is supplemented by bonuses and allowances for working overtime, as well as performance pay. She said that she generally receives around $500 in additional income each month from these sources.

Median Salary of Flight Attendants in Different Regions

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for flight attendants in the United States was $56,630 in May 2019. The median hourly wage in the same period was $27.21.

In Canada, the median hourly rate for flight attendants was C$22.67 in 2019, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. In the United Kingdom, the median salary for flight attendants was £27,000 per year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The median salary for flight attendants in Australia was AU$57,000 per year in 2018, according to the Australian Government Department of Employment. In New Zealand, the median salary for flight attendants was NZ$50,000 per year in 2018, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

There are significant variations in the median salaries of flight attendants across different regions, with the highest salaries being paid in the United States and the lowest in Canada.

Hourly Rates Across Different Airlines

The hourly rates of flight attendants can vary significantly depending on the airline they work for. For example, the hourly rate for flight attendants at Southwest Airlines is $25.60, while at American Airlines it is $30.00.

The hourly rate for flight attendants can also be affected by factors such as the length of the flight, the type of aircraft and the number of passengers. For example, long-haul flights with more passengers tend to pay higher hourly rates than short-haul flights with fewer passengers.

Impact of Ancillary Services

Flight attendants are increasingly being asked to provide ancillary services such as serving food and drinks to passengers. These services are often provided at an additional cost to passengers, and can increase the hourly rate of flight attendants.

For example, flight attendants at Southwest Airlines receive an additional $1.20 per hour when they are required to serve food and drinks to passengers. At American Airlines, flight attendants receive an additional $2.00 per hour for providing these services.

The availability of these additional services has had a significant impact on the job market for flight attendants. Airlines are now looking for flight attendants who are able to provide these services, and this has led to an increase in the demand for experienced and qualified flight attendants.

Changes to the Job Market Over the Past Decade

The job market for flight attendants has changed significantly over the past decade. Airlines are now looking for flight attendants who can provide additional services such as serving food and drinks, and this has led to an increase in the demand for experienced and qualified flight attendants.

The introduction of low-cost carriers has also had an impact on the job market. Low-cost carriers typically offer lower wages and fewer benefits than traditional airlines, and this has made it difficult for experienced flight attendants to find employment.

Conclusion

This article has explored the question of how much do flight attendants make per hour. We have looked at the median salaries in different regions, the hourly rates across different airlines and the impact of ancillary services on the job market. We have also examined how the job market has changed over the past decade.

It is clear that there is significant variation in the salaries and hourly rates of flight attendants, and that the job market has changed significantly over the past decade. However, it is also clear that there is still a demand for experienced and qualified flight attendants who are able to provide additional services such as serving food and drinks.