Your Global Career Takes Off: Join United Airlines as a Flight Attendant!
Have you ever imagined a career where the world truly becomes your workplace? United Airlines is inviting compassionate, adaptable, and service-driven individuals to join our extraordinary team of flight attendants. With over 30,000 active crew members already part of our United family, we are the world's largest airline—and we're growing faster than ever. This is your moment to turn travel dreams into daily reality.
No college degree? No problem. United believes in potential and heart over formal credentials. We provide all the training you need to succeed at the highest levels of safety and service. If you're ready for a role that combines purpose, adventure, and genuine human connection, we'd love to meet you.
Your Journey Begins with World-Class Training
Every United flight attendant starts their story in Houston, Texas, where you'll spend 6.5 weeks immersed in the industry's finest Initial Training program. Here, you'll master United's rigorous safety standards and service excellence expectations under the guidance of experienced professionals.
During training, you'll receive your base assignment from among our seven major hubs—Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, or Washington Dulles—or one of our other flight attendant base locations. After successfully completing training and attending base orientation, you'll officially begin your career as a full-time United employee.
To support you during this transformative period, United provides:
- A weekly stipend of $140
- Dual-occupancy hotel accommodations
- Two meals daily (breakfast plus either lunch or dinner, depending on your schedule)
What Makes an Exceptional United Flight Attendant?
At United, we look for people who bring their whole selves to work—and who embody these core proficiencies:
- Safety First: You prioritize safety above all else, maintaining unwavering vigilance in every situation.
- People-First Mindset: You genuinely enjoy connecting with others. Whether calming nervous flyers, assisting families, or celebrating milestones with travelers, you approach every interaction with optimism, empathy, and grace.
- Flexibility & Adaptability: Our global network operates 24/7, 365 days a year. You'll embrace varied schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and reserve assignments on short notice—sometimes spending several days away from base.
- Dependability: Timeliness and reliability are essential to keeping our operation running smoothly and exceeding customer expectations.
- Team Spirit: You work collaboratively, knowing that every successful flight depends on seamless teamwork.
- Global Curiosity: You're excited by the prospect of exploring new cultures, meeting diverse people, and creating memorable experiences for customers on every single flight.
Qualifications & Requirements
We welcome applicants who meet the following criteria:
- At least 21 years old at time of application
- High school diploma or GED (two or more years of college preferred)
- Minimum one year of customer service experience in industries such as retail, hospitality, food service, education, aviation, or social services
- Clear, organized speech with sufficient volume to be heard clearly in emergency situations
- Fluent English proficiency (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding)
- Strong hearing ability across all sound ranges
- Capacity to remain calm and communicate effectively during high-stress events like evacuations, medical emergencies, or severe weather
- Professional appearance with excellent grooming standards
- Willingness to adhere to United's uniform, hair, tattoo, and piercing guidelines
Tattoo Guidelines:
- Tattoos are not permitted on head, hands, fingers, neck (including back of neck), or in/on/behind ears—even if covered by makeup or bandages
- Visible tattoos on arms, wrists, legs, and feet are allowed but must be no larger than a credit card (3.5" x 2.24") or covered by standard uniform pieces
- All visible tattoos must be free of offensive content (violence, obscenity, sexual imagery, racism, weapons, etc.)
Additional Appearance Standards:
- Decorative covers, adornments, or jewelry on teeth or inside the mouth are not permitted
Physical & Practical Requirements:
- Proficient operation of electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) for job-related tasks
- Valid passport book (U.S. or foreign with applicable visas) in your possession prior to application, with at least 18 months validity remaining
- Unrestricted ability to travel to and from all countries United serves (destinations subject to change; applicants responsible for verifying travel eligibility as working crew members, not passengers)
- Capacity to stand, walk, kneel, bend, stoop, stretch, reach, lift heavy items (e.g., luggage to overhead bins), and push/pull beverage carts weighing up to 250 lbs
- Pass functional reach assessment: simultaneous 76-inch vertical reach and 43.5-inch horizontal reach (without shoes)
- Ability to sit in assigned jump seat with seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened
- Serve and/or sell food and beverages (including alcohol) professionally and diligently
- Legal authorization to work in the United States
- Willingness to work flexible schedules supporting United's 24/7 operation (weekdays, weekends, holidays, reserve days)
What to Expect During Onboarding & Training:
- Successfully complete water evacuation drill (pool) during training
- Pass pre-employment DOT drug screen, comprehensive background checks, fingerprinting, and vision/hearing tests
- Comply with DOT/FAA pre-employment and randomized drug screens (marijuana prohibited due to safety-sensitive nature of role)
- Pass 10-year background check, including criminal history (note: DWI/DUI convictions may restrict international travel; Canada, for example, has strict inadmissibility classifications. If you have probation or conviction within 10 years, travel may require a Temporary Resident Permit from Canadian government)
- Meet FAA and United hearing/vision standards, with or without reasonable accommodation: hearing loss no greater than 40 dB averaged at 500, 1000, 2000 Hz in better ear; each eye corrected to 20/40 or better for far and near vision
What You Receive for Delivering Your Best?
United offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones:
Compensation:
- Starting hourly flight pay: $28.88/hour
- Top of base scale: $67.11/hour (seniority-based increases)
- Additional compensation for language skills, lead positions, and international trips
- Bonus eligible (profit sharing)
- Successful training graduates receive $1,000 bonus
Benefits & Perks:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company matching
- Life, accident, and disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
- Commuter benefits
Travel Privileges:
- Fly stand-by anywhere in the world on United—for you, your family, and your friends
Inclusive Culture:
- Uniform standards that welcome you to be your authentic self and celebrate your individuality
- Commitment to safety and cleanliness at every stage of the travel experience
Ready to Take Off?
If you're ready to turn your passion for people and discovery into a rewarding career at 30,000 feet, United Airlines is ready to welcome you aboard. Apply today and start your journey with the world's largest airline.
