Where is the best place to live to be a Flight Attendant?

The best place to live as a Flight Attendant is near a major airline hub (like Dallas, Chicago, NYC, LA, Atlanta) for easier commutes, but many also choose affordable, lively cities (Nashville, Houston) or places with good amenities (like San Bruno near SFO) to enjoy time off, often opting for short-term rentals or "crash pads" near the airport base for convenience and to minimize housing costs while balancing work/life needs.

Where do most flight attendants live?

– Flight attendants usually spend the most number of months living in hotels, so make sure to get an apartment with a hotel. It's always nice having a hotel nearby, even if you're not staying there.

What is the 35 7 rule for flight attendants?

The 35-in-7 rule applies only to Reserve Flight Attendants and provides that a Reserve may not be scheduled to exceed 35 flight hours in any seven (7) consecutive 24-hour periods.

Where do flight attendants get paid the most?

Flight attendants get paid the most at major US airlines like Delta, American, United, JetBlue, and Alaska, with top earners reaching high hourly rates (around $83-$96/hr) and significant annual pay (up to $109k+) after years of seniority, boosted by boarding pay and profit sharing, though specific ranking shifts with new contracts, but Southwest recently had historic raises making them a top contender for highest overall earnings. 

Where do you live if you're a flight attendant?

So many flight attendants opt to stay at crash pads — temporary housing designed to host multiple crew members in a dorm-style setup. This guide covers every housing option for flight attendants, from crash pads to hotels to corporate housing. Learn how to choose what works for your routes, budget, and career stage.

WHERE TO LIVE AS A NEW HIRE FLIGHT ATTENDANT I Tips For New Hire Flight Attendants

What disqualifies you from becoming a flight attendant?

Disqualifications for flight attendants include major criminal offenses (felonies, security breaches), significant health issues (uncontrolled conditions, severe vision/hearing loss, substance abuse), failure to pass drug/alcohol tests, lack of essential skills (swimming), and potentially certain appearance issues or inability to travel (e.g., for Canadian entry). Requirements also cover age, education (HS Diploma/GED), language fluency (English), and passing background/security checks.
 

Do flight attendants only get paid when the door is closed?

Yes, traditionally, most U.S. airline flight attendants only start getting paid their hourly rate once the aircraft doors close, meaning significant time spent preparing the plane, boarding passengers, and during delays on the ground often goes uncompensated, though this is a major point of contention in recent contract negotiations, with some airlines like Delta starting to offer boarding pay. This long-standing practice means flight attendants might work several hours for little or no pay before the flight officially begins, leading to demands for paid ground time.
 

Can flight attendants make $100,000 a year?

With experience, senior flight attendants may make around $80,287 annually, and some can earn as much as $115,000 or more per year. Pay is typically hourly and starts when the aircraft door closes, meaning preflight work (like boarding and prep) is often unpaid.

Which airline is best for salary?

For pilots, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines consistently offer the highest salaries in the U.S., with senior captains potentially earning over $400,000 annually, while for flight attendants, Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways are known for top pay, often tax-free, plus accommodation, notes from 2024-2025 suggest. 

Who pays more, Delta or Southwest?

At top pay, you'd make the most at Southwest at ninety-2 dollars and eightythree cents per hour or about eighty-nine $100 per year with American Delta and Alaska all pretty close in second at about $86, 000 furthermore if you do work a lot of boarding hours you could actually be about equal between Delta Southwest ...

Why do flight attendants have to be 5'2"?

Most airlines have height requirements, typically ranging from around 5'2" to 6'2" (158 cm to 188 cm), though these can vary. Here's why height is important: Safety Protocols: Cabin crew need to access overhead compartments and emergency equipment quickly and efficiently.

Can flight attendants work 7 days in a row?

This tells the N-PBS Scheduler that you want to waive the maximum of 30 hours of work in 7 days. You can not exceed more than 50 hours of work in 7 days.

Do flight attendants stay away from home a lot?

Yes, flight attendants are away from home a lot, often spending several nights a week or month in hotels, working nights, weekends, and holidays, with time away depending heavily on flight routes (long-haul means longer trips) and seniority, though they also get significant days off monthly. 

What age are most flight attendants?

A comprehensive study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that, as of 2023, the average flight attendant globally was 49 years of age (the exact breakdown being 74%: 40+ years; 17%: 30-40 years; 8%: 20-30 years).

Can I live off being a flight attendant?

This is not a healthy mindset. It is possible to live on this minimum wage pay, but it requires discipline, and awareness. It's not always fun, but if you are able to find a balance for yourself between spending, and saving, living independently on what a flight attendant makes, you will give yourself a gift.

What is the secret button on the airplane seat?

Many economy-class aisle and middle seats have a hidden button under the armrest that lets it lift, giving you a bit more wiggle room and comfort mid-flight.

Which airline treats their employees the best?

While "best" is subjective, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines consistently rank high for employee treatment, with Delta lauded for its strong culture, benefits, and leadership engagement (Fortune's Best Companies, Skytrax recognition) and Southwest praised for its unique profit-sharing, high pay, and "people-first" family-like environment, offering excellent work-life balance and perks like generous 401(k) matches. 

Which airline gives the best perks?

For travelers who prioritize earning miles and elite status, Atmos Rewards, the joint loyalty program between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, comes out on top — and not for the first time. It's won our best airlines rewards program award each year since 2020.

What is the richest airline in the US?

Delta Air Lines is the largest by assets value and market capitalization, while Southwest Airlines leads by profit.

How do flight attendants afford to live?

A lot of FA's live in a crash pad the first year or two, basically an apartment with a lot of roommates. Works out since everyone is usually flying quite a bit, so there's never a full house. The pay increases quite a bit over the next few years, and the top out pay is comfortable.

Do flight attendants get 40 hours a week?

Flight attendants typically don't work a standard 40-hour week like office jobs; their schedules are variable, averaging around 65-90 flight hours per month (about 15-22 hours/week), but they log many more hours on duty (including prep, boarding, and post-flight tasks) and can work 12-14 days monthly, often with irregular shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on seniority (reserve vs. line holder) and airline rules. 

What is the 35 7 flight attendant rule?

The 35:7 flight attendant rule provides that no crew member shall be assigned less than 35 consecutive hours rest at any one time during a 7-day span. The reason behind this regulation is to make the crews stay alert, minimize fatigue and make the in-flight safety as high as possible.

Is the $25 Amazon flight real?

Yes, $25 flights from Amazon were real as a limited-time holiday promotion for eligible young adult Prime members in late 2024, partnered with StudentUniverse, but this specific deal has ended; general $25 flight offers online are usually scams or referral links, not direct Amazon sales. The legitimate deal required being an 18-24 year old or a student with the discounted Amazon for Young Adults Prime membership and booking through StudentUniverse for specific travel dates (Dec 2024 - Jan 2025), covering only base fare, not baggage or extras.
 

Why do flight attendants tell you to leave the window open?

Flight attendants may require window shades to be up during takeoff and landing for passenger safety. Open windows let passengers and crew quickly see hazards outside and help first responders assess conditions. Bright light also helps passengers' eyes adjust before deplaning.