Flight attendants have diverse schedules influenced by various factors such as the airline, region, and the type of flights. In the United States, flight attendants typically work between 12 and 14 days a month, accumulating 65 to 85 flight hours. They handle one to six flights a day, although this can vary significantly.
In the US, flight attendants fall into two categories: reserve and line-holder. Reserve flight attendants remain on call 24 hours a day, often awaiting last-minute assignments. On the other hand, line-holders, with more experience, have the flexibility to select shifts, choose destinations, and arrange shifts with preferred colleagues.
The Federal Aviation Administration mandates rest periods for flight attendants. For shifts over 14 hours, a minimum of nine consecutive rest hours is required, while 12 hours of rest is necessary for shifts exceeding 18 hours.