corporate flight attendant salaries

Website design By BotEap.comPay. You know that business aviation pays more than commercial, in most cases much better, but you’re not sure what the going rate is for a corporate flight attendant. It may surprise you to learn that pay rates vary widely depending on the type of account you’re flying for, your location, your responsibilities, experience, and more.

Website design By BotEap.comOver the years, I’ve found that pay range isn’t set in stone. In general, the fractional operators [i.e., Netjets, Flight Options, Flexjet] pay less than charter operators [Part 135] that pays less than owner operators [Part 91]. Are there exceptions to this rule? OUI well south. Other factors, as mentioned above, can play a role in determining what you will do. These factors include:

Website design By BotEap.comTo lease. Business flight attendants located closest to major metropolitan areas earn the highest salaries. New York and Los Angeles are the two busiest areas for private flights. Between corporate moguls and Hollywood stars, these two metropolitan areas produce some of the most significant numbers of flights in commercial aviation. If you’re in Pocatello, Idaho or Burlington, VT, the chances of you finding work in the first place are slim, unless a fractional carrier hires you and allows the airline to relocate for its flights.

Website design By BotEap.comResponsibilities. Then what are you? Will you be treated like a passenger serving other passengers or will you be expected to manage the entire cabin from the cabin door in the rear? Is there a difference in service? Yes, but in the perception of the company that carries out the hiring, there may not be. The written job description may differ from what the job actually requires. You may need multiple interviews to find out if the company values ​​your culinary experience, safety and security training, related work experience, etc. Typically, those companies looking for someone with “no experience needed, will train” will pay less than those that claim they want an employee who is up to date with their training and has flown for several years.

Website design By BotEap.comOther questions to consider:

Website design By BotEap.comHow often will you fly?

Website design By BotEap.comWill you fly between fixed cities or will you travel internationally?

Website design By BotEap.comHow many days per month?

Website design By BotEap.comHow many soft days v. Will you have hard days per month?

Website design By BotEap.comWill you be on guard?

Website design By BotEap.comWill I be expected to work in the office on days off?

Website design By BotEap.comWill you be expected to “babysit” the children and play a babysitting role when not flying?

Website design By BotEap.comWill you supervise other flight attendants?

Website design By BotEap.comExperience The more experience in corporate flights, the better. Companies should reward you based on your commercial flight record, safety and security training, culinary experience, world language skills [if flying internationally], management skills, people skills, etc. Some companies require you to act as a personal assistant to the CEO. Additional compensation must be ordered for these additional liabilities.

Website design By BotEap.comSo what is the pay range? These numbers aren’t absolute, but the American salaries I know corporate flight attendants earn fall into three general categories. Here are some general salary ranges:

Website design By BotEap.comFractional operators: 33K to 45K, corporate experience not always required. These companies will train you to your specifications. One of the great advantages of fractionals is that you can live almost anywhere; at least one company will allow the airline to meet the plane [they also let you accumulate and keep your airliner miles].

Website design By BotEap.comCharter operators: 45K to 80K, depending on the location of the aircraft and your experience. Much of what I’ve heard about the quoted salary is in the low to mid-50s range. In fact, the NBAA backs this up with a recent survey showing that the average corporate flight attendant is paid just over 53K per year.

Website design By BotEap.comProprietary operators: 25K to 100K+. Let’s not fool ourselves. There are companies that will expect you to jump through hoops to fly on their planes and for peanuts. [and you know they don’t serve peanuts to their passengers!] On the other hand, if you are a chief flight attendant, your salary will probably start at 75K and can easily exceed 90K. A higher salary can be expected when you have a “VP” title and are in charge of multiple flight attendants. Oh, by the way, don’t forget you’ll be flying in addition to your office duties…guess who has to cover for sick employees when no one else can be found?

Website design By BotEap.com100K+?! Let’s say this amount is unusual, but I confirmed 110K for a stewardess flying internationally some time ago. In general, she never expects anyone to reveal her salary to her… why should they?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat about the flight contract? Wow… you had to ask. If I told you that you can expect an average of $300. – $350. per day plus per diem, is that convenient for you? The amounts paid to contractors vary as much as full-time flight attendants. I have heard of flight attendants flying for $0 just to get the experience and the hours. [how could a company conscientiously allow that to happen? Okay, stupid question!] I have also heard of a flight attendant earning $600 a day on an international flight. Contract rates vary widely and depend, again, on your location, responsibilities, experience, etc.

Website design By BotEap.comQuestions to ask yourself:

Website design By BotEap.comWhat am I worth? If you think the job is worth 60K per year, then you should file a case to earn 60K per year. If the company insists on paying 35K, guess what? You won’t earn anything close to 60K, you’ll be crossed off their list and the person who settles for 35K will get the job.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat am I satisfied with? Can I justify the lower salary just to get some work? If I have flown for years and am willing to take a pay cut of 20-25,000, will I be able to live on the lower salary? Can I expect to renegotiate my salary once hired? [don’t make me laugh…]?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat benefits can I expect? 401(k), medical, dental, vacation, sick/personal days and the like are some of the benefits expected when working full time.

Website design By BotEap.comOther considerations:

Website design By BotEap.comDo they pay for uniforms?

Website design By BotEap.comIs there a uniform allocation?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat about salary reviews/job performance reviews?

Website design By BotEap.comIs there room for promotion?

Website design By BotEap.comCan I ever transfer to another corporate account?

Website design By BotEap.comWill they pay for my training?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat is your policy on termination/worker’s compensation?

Website design By BotEap.comIs this a family environment?

Website design By BotEap.comThe more you know about your needs and wants before you are interviewed, the better chance you have of receiving adequate compensation. Find out what is important to you: i.e. lower salary v. live where I want; job security vs. highest country; public visibility vs. anonymity etc Stick to your principles and act on them as you negotiate your next position.

Website design By BotEap.comOne last question to ask yourself once a job offer has been submitted: Can I live with myself if I accept this position?