What is a Flight Attendant?

Job Description: Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.

Flight Attendant Responsibilities

• Administer first aid to passengers in distress.
• Conduct periodic trips through the cabin to ensure passenger comfort and to distribute reading material, headphones, pillows, playing cards, and blankets.
• Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
• Sell alcoholic beverages to passengers.
• Announce flight delays and descent preparations.
• Inspect and clean cabins, checking for any problems and making sure that cabins are in order.

Flight Attendant Needed Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Flight Attendants say are important on the job.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Airplane Flight Attendant
• Lead Instructor/Flight Attendant
• Flight Attendant/Inflight Manager
• Flight Crew Member
• Door and Arrival Attendant

Flight Attendant Employment Estimates

There were about 116,600 jobs for Flight Attendant in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,900 new jobs for Flight Attendant by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,200 positions for Flight Attendant per year.

The states with the most job growth for Flight Attendant are Florida, Oregon, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Alaska, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Flight Attendants Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Flight Attendants is somewhere between $28,950 and $80,870.

Flight Attendants who work in Oregon, Texas, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.

How much do Flight Attendants make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Arizona	$65,680
California	$51,990
Colorado	$47,150
Florida	$62,610
Illinois	$53,220
Indiana	$60,080
Massachusetts	$61,610
Michigan	$55,310
Minnesota	$50,560
Nevada	$57,190
New York	$48,960
North Carolina	$54,190
Ohio	$52,760
Oregon	$80,410
Pennsylvania	$68,410
Texas	$58,820
Utah	$48,250
Washington	$77,450

What Tools do Flight Attendants Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Flight Attendants:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Windows
• SBS International Maestro Suite

How do I Become a Flight Attendant?

What kind of Flight Attendant requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Flight Attendant?

Where do Flight Attendants Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.