Airlines calculate pay based on flight hours and seniority. At United Airlines, the starting rate is $28.88 per flight hour. American Airlines recently raised its starting rate to $35.82 per hour, a rate that increases with experience. Delta's starting pay was increased to $35.50 per hour, reaching $79.80 after 12 years of experience.
Seniority plays a significant role in salary increases. JetBlue, for example, starts entry-level cabin crew at $21.42 per hour, with senior crew earning up to $57.53 per hour, potentially resulting in over $60,000 annually. American Airlines offers even higher rates for senior members, leading to salaries exceeding $100,000.
American Airlines has made substantial pay jumps for senior cabin crew, particularly after 12 years of service. Their new pay structure highlights senior members earning significant increases after year 13.
Cabin crew also benefit from per diem allowances, which can add up to $500 monthly to their income. United Airlines, for example, provides $2.40 per hour domestically and $2.90 on international flights. Bonuses and profit-sharing programs, like Delta's profit equivalent of five weeks' pay, further supplement earnings. Singapore Airlines also granted bonuses equivalent to up to eight months of pay following a record profit year.
Becoming a cabin crew member demands dedication, teamwork, and the completion of a training program, which typically requires a high school diploma and can last between 6-12 weeks. Airlines often have their crew training schools, and while some offer scholarships for pilots, costs for cabin crew training can also be significant.
The aviation industry's recovery post-pandemic enabled pilots, ground handlers, and cabin crew to renegotiate contracts amid rising travel demand. While pilots initially saw major contract successes, certain airlines, including American and Southwest, reached new agreements with their cabin crew. United Airlines is engaged in prolonged negotiations aimed at achieving a deal that aligns with American Airlines' compensation package.
Comparatively, commercial pilots receive significantly higher pay than cabin crew. The average annual salary for US mainline commercial pilots is around $200,000, with figures rising with seniority and aircraft type. United Airlines' widebody pilots with 12 years of experience can earn over $350,000, while Southwest and Delta pilots also report substantial earnings.
"Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $254,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $151,154. The average Delta Air Lines pilot earns $201,178 with top-earners making $526,000."
Flight attendants can expect to earn over $100,000 if they are senior while junior crew earn between $20,000 to $45,000 based on their airline. Therefore, pilots typically receive approximately five to six times the salary a flight attendant earns.
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