Make a Difference at 35,000 Feet – Flight Attendant with American Airlines!
Caring for People on Life's Journey, Connecting Them to What Matters Most
As a Flight Attendant at American Airlines, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference every time you step onboard. You'll create moments that make people feel welcome, bring care to every journey, and keep safety at the heart of every flight. If you're looking for work that matters and a career that can take you places, we invite you to apply and start your journey with us.
This isn't just a job—it's a career that shapes lives. Yours included.
Where You'll Work: Your Base Becomes Your Home in the Sky
Your base will be your home for your career in the sky. Bases are assigned during the third week of training. We'll consider your preferences, but assignments are based on seniority, availability, and the needs of our operation.
Available Bases:
- Boston, MA (BOS)
- Charlotte, NC (CLT)
- Chicago, IL (ORD)
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (DFW)
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
- Miami, FL (MIA)
- New York City, NY (LGA)
- Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
- Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
- Washington, D.C. (DCA)
What It Really Means to Be a Flight Attendant?
Being a Flight Attendant at American is about more than serving drinks and demonstrating safety procedures—though those things matter. It's about embracing a lifestyle that's anything but ordinary.
A Life Beyond the 9-to-5:
Days, nights, weekends, and holidays can all be part of the schedule, along with time away from home. If you crave variety and thrive in a dynamic environment, you'll feel right at home.
The First Step Toward a Career You Can Shape:
Most new Flight Attendants spend their first 2+ years on reserve, which means being available for assignments on short notice. It's a rite of passage—and it builds the foundation for everything that comes next.
Build a Career That Works with Your Life:
The more seniority you build, the more opportunities you have to shape your schedule and make the most of your time. This is a career where your investment in yourself pays off.
Time That's Truly Yours:
Golden days, official days off, and flex days can give you extra opportunities to recharge, travel, or spend time with the people who matter most.
Requirements
To be considered for this role, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 20 years or older
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid passport: All American Airlines Flight Attendants must have a valid passport before initial training. To interview for the position, your passport must be valid through at least December 31, 2027. Passport renewal costs are reimbursable if renewed after initial training.
- Travel eligibility: You must be able to travel without restrictions to all destinations served by American. If you hold a foreign passport or visa, it is your responsibility to ensure you meet all travel requirements and understand where you are eligible to fly.
- Height minimum: Must be able to reach and remove emergency equipment from overhead bins without assistance
- Height maximum: Must have adequate head clearance in the cabin
Tattoo and Piercing Policy
Visible tattoos are not permitted while in uniform or in training. Acceptable covering options include:
- A uniform item
- Makeup
- Approved jewelry or watches
Note: Bandages, see-through gauze, pantyhose, or sleeve accessories may not be used to cover tattoos.
Piercings: One earring per ear lobe is allowed; no other visible body piercings are permitted while in uniform.
Dental Embellishments: Decorative dental embellishments, including tooth gems, dental jewelry, grills, and similar cosmetic adornments, are not permitted while in uniform, during training, or while performing company duties.
Multilingual Skills Are Valued
Multilingual skills are valuable and help support operational needs. However, all candidates must first meet the minimum qualifications and successfully complete the Flight Attendant selection process. Language proficiency is considered an additional skill and may create opportunities for language-qualified positions.
Languages We're Hiring For:
- Chinese Mandarin
- Czech
- Dutch
- French
- German
- Greek
- Haitian Creole
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Perks That Take Your Opportunities Even Further
Working as a Flight Attendant at American Airlines gets you more than just a paycheck—it gets you a lifestyle.
Travel Privileges
- Free and discounted travel: You and your eligible family members can enjoy free, space-available, or reduced-rate fares on domestic American flights. For international travel, applicable taxes and fees apply.
- Interline travel agreements: Discounted standby leisure travel on other airlines through our reciprocal agreements, available after six months and two days of employment with American.
Health and Wellness
- Medical insurance: Access to comprehensive medical plans, including options for dental and vision coverage
- Prescription drug coverage: Benefits to help with the cost of your medications
- Mental health resources: Access to counseling and mental health support services
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses
- Maternity and family building support: Up to 10 weeks of paid maternity leave, plus up to $30,000 in reimbursement for eligible adoption and surrogacy expenses
Retirement and Financial Security
- Retirement: Participate in our 401(k) plans with company matching contributions
- Life insurance: Basic life insurance coverage, with options to purchase additional coverage
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance: Additional protection in case of accidents
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance: Optional income protection plans available at new hire benefits enrollment
Professional Development
- Opportunities for career advancement and skill development. After six months of service, you may be eligible to apply for other positions throughout the company.
Other Benefits
- Member Assistance Programs (MAP): Confidential support for both personal and work-related issues
- Team member discounts: Discounts on a wide range of products and services, including travel, entertainment, and retail
- New hire flight attendant loan: Available upon becoming a member of our credit union, allowing Flight Attendants to borrow up to $2,500 for qualifying expenses including relocation, living costs, or other personal financial needs
Your Compensation
- Starting pay: $37.91 per flight hour for trainees hired in 2027
- Per diem: You will be paid for every hour from report to release of a trip to help cover expenses. Current rates are $2.95 per hour for domestic trips and $3.50 per hour for international trips.
- Boarding pay: You receive boarding pay at half of the hourly rate for each flight boarded
- Reserve guarantee: Flight Attendants on reserve are guaranteed 75 flight hours per month at the flight hour pay. Pay is issued semi-monthly, typically on the 15th and 30th of each month, or the nearest business day if those dates fall on a weekend.
- The mid-month paycheck includes 37.5 hours (half of the monthly reserve guarantee), boarding pay, per diem, and any earnings.
- The end-of-month paycheck includes the remaining 37.5 hours of the guarantee.
- Average annual salary: Estimated salary is $34,119 for a new Flight Attendant, based on the guaranteed minimum of 75 flight hours per month. This estimate does not include additional earnings such as per diem, premium pay (for example, galley and lead positions), or other incentives.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you're ready to make a difference every time you step onboard, create moments that matter, and build a career that can take you places, we invite you to apply and start your journey with American Airlines.
Your career in the skies starts here. Join American Airlines and discover a career without limits.
