The American Airlines Flight Attendant Hiring Process 2022 – What You Need to Know | future flight attendant (2023)

FAQs

What do I need to know before becoming a flight attendant? ›

Flight attendants typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience in customer service. Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, typically 18 or 21; be eligible to work in the United States; have a valid passport; and pass a background check and drug test.

Yes, it is hard to get a job at American Airlines.

To gain some perspective, only around 2,000 American Airlines flight attendants were hired from 500,000 applications. Of those 2,000, only around 1,200 make it through training. The competition for flight crew jobs can be fierce.

If successful, you may be invited to Flight Attendant training. During this six week course, you'll be immersed in a mix of fast-paced classroom, online and hands-on training. Although training is unpaid, food and lodging are provided.

The training is very tough and intense but, if you make it through, it's the best learning experience and you will gain lifelong skills. It is a stressful time, and has to be, because flight attendants may have to deal with an emergency and must be calm and focused in such an event.

Typically, flight attendants work 12 to 14 days and log 65 to 85 flight hours on average each month, not including overtime. Flight attendants are only paid once the boarding doors are closed. There are two types of flight attendant schedules, reserve schedules, and fine holder schedules.

The general requirement is that all flight attendants can swim a distance of between 25 and 50 meters without a flotation device and be able to tread water for three minutes.

Certain previous convictions such as crimes involving an aircraft or any violent crime, felony or time spent in jail would prevent you from being able to work as a Flight Attendant.

Training is not paid, but food and lodging are provided. Get Your Wings – Upon successfully completing flight attendant training, you earn your wings as an American Airlines flight attendant.

Almost all AA jobs have an intensive, hands-on training process that takes place in a fast-paced environment. This can take approximately six weeks depending on the field. For example, American Airlines flight attendants undergo a six-week rigorous training with all materials provided.

American Airlines Salary FAQs

The salary trajectory of a Flight Attendant ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $42,638 per year and goes up to $50,432 per year for the highest level of seniority.

Where is American Airlines training? ›

American Airlines Training Center (FSU) - Fort Worth, TX - Airline Industry Service, Education | Facebook.

(2) A flight attendant scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less as provided under paragraph (b)(1) of this section must be given a scheduled rest period of at least 10 consecutive hours.

Most airlines complete three flights per day with layovers anywhere from 10 to 24 hours long, though longer layovers may extend into a three-day stay. Three-day trip: Three-day trips require flight attendants to complete more than one leg per day. They may experience multiple layovers, or a very lengthy one.

As of December 31 of any year, a Flight Attendant who has had ten (10) years or more of employment, but less than eighteen (18) years, will receive twenty-eight (28) days. As of December 31 of any year, a Flight Attendant who has had eighteen (18) years or more of employment will receive thirty-five (35) days.

During training, there are no long weekends, no going home for a visit, no holidays— just multiple weeks' worth of hard work. Flight attendants in training have to work hard all day long while simultaneously looking good—training isn't called "Barbie Bootcamp" for nothing!

Cabin crew tend to live close to their base, but it's not the only option. Many airlines say that crew must live within 45 minutes to 90 minutes traveling time of their base. This is due to 'standby' duties, where cabin crew are called out last minute to operate a flight where someone has gone sick or is late for duty.

They're called Crew Rest Compartments and their location on the plane varies. On newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 or the Airbus A350, they are located above the main cabin, in the upper fuselage.

As flight attendants typically work flexible schedules, the position can be full-time or part-time.

Does everyone pass flight attendant training? ›

Basically, you hand over your life to the airline during training to learn about the airline's procedures and what cabin crew are really there for. The standards are set very high and the exams have a pass rate of 95% or above, depending on the airline. The training means working long days, lots of homework and stress.

Flight attendants must always smile. Not an artificial smile, but a genuine one — it must be visible that it comes from within. At the same time, the airlines have constantly been increasing the number of passengers whom flight attendants have to take care of and smile at.

There aren't specific weight requirements for Flight Attendants at American Airlines. Like most airlines, they want prospective Cabin Crew to be a healthy weight and that they will be able to fit in the Cabin Crew Uniform.

Because you will be working in a post 9/11 safety and security sensitive environment, airlines will perform a pre-employment background check before you are officially hired.

Aviation Authorities ensure that all Flight Attendants are certified to work as Flight Attendants. If you don't pass the Aviation Authority background check, then your licence won't be renewed and you aren't able to work as a Flight Attendant.

Unlike many jobs, the candidate has to take (and pass) a medical exam before becoming cabin crew. This is usually before joining a new airline, working in a different country, or renewing a current medical certificate.

Prior to the pandemic, it was often the case that low-cost airlines did charge for training, uniforms and even the flight attendant license. Thankfully, that has changed now, and the training courses are free of charge.

Flight attendants go through a very intense training for at least six weeks. This training is usually everyday , even weekends. The training covers all the emergency equipment, fire fighting and emergency scenarios as well as many other book and observation training.

It's because they don't consider their trainees to be “employees.” Only “employees” are entitled to be paid minimum wage under the FLSA. So, if a person falls outside of the FLSA's definition of an “employee,” they are not entitled to compensation for training time.

Qualified American Airlines employees are allowed to fly for free, along with their registered guests and companions. Retirees who pass the "65-point plan" (a minimum of 10 years of active service, and the retiree's age plus years of service must equal or exceed 65) also qualify for "non-revenue" travel.

Does American Airlines pay biweekly? ›

As a part time agent, how many hours are you supposed to work in a week and how many hours overtime is guaranteed? The pay period is bi-weekly.

Yes.

Candidates will take a standard urine test before being hired by the company. Applicants for positions including pilots, ramp agents, mechanics, flight attendants, and ticketing agents are required to pass this test. The urine sample will be tested for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines.

Flight attendants are only paid for their flight time. This means they are not compensated when they are walking through the airport to get to a gate or waiting for the aircraft to arrive. Their time clock does not start until the cabin door is closed.

The number of flights will vary based on the trip assigned. However, as an Endeavor flight attendant, you can expect to fly from one to six flights in a day.

As of Feb 14, 2023, the average annual pay for the American Airlines Flight Attendant jobs category in the United States is $48,350 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.25 an hour. This is the equivalent of $929/week or $4,029/month.

The initial training at an airline takes about 10 weeks. Basic indoctrination lasts a week or so. Training on general subjects, which include regulations and company-specific procedures, takes another week. You will spend two weeks on aircraft systems specific to the equipment you'll operate.

Testing at CareNow clinics is available for select flights that start in the U.S. You can use any of the 150+ clinics to get tested before your trip.

$53,545. The estimated total pay for a Trainee Flight Attendant at American Airlines is $53,545 per year.

Under this final rule, all certificate holders conducting domestic, flag, or supplemental operations will be required to give scheduled rest periods of at least 10 consecutive hours to flight attendants scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less.

Airlines provide a three- to six-week training program for their flight attendants. You will typically attend training for eight hours a day throughout the duration of the program. This training prepares you to use airport codes, make PA announcements, perform routine job duties and handle in-flight emergencies.

What is the minimum rest time for flight attendant? ›

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule requiring that flight attendants receive longer periods of rest between shifts. The new rule increases the rest period to 10 consecutive hours.

They return to base at the end of each trip. Trips can range from one-day domestic trips (turns) to 12-day (or longer) international trips. Depending on how many flight hours the trip is worth, a crewmember may do anywhere from one to ten trips per month, provided the monthly minimum is satisfied.

Unless you've been working as a flight attendant for a decade and have seniority, you will be working on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, guaranteed.

Typically, flight attendants work 12 to 14 days and log 65 to 85 hours of flight time in a given month, and this does not include overtime. Many flight attendants' schedules can vary month to month, and some work more than others.

According to Business Insider, the competition for flight attendant positions is fierce. Most entry-level applicants have no experience, so it is vital to do everything in your power to make yourself stand out from other applicants.

It depends. The flight attendant training course takes 10 weeks to complete. Most students have already begun interviewing with airlines by the time they graduate and some even have job offers. Each persons experience will be different so keep that in mind.

Flight attendants have no set weight requirements, as body types can vary even if two people are the same height and weight. It's impossible to give a size or weight for the jumpseat because some harnesses are smaller than others, and people carry weight differently.

How many hours a day does a flight attendant work? ›

Most attendants are usually limited to working 12 hours shifts but some are allowed to work 14 hour shifts. Those working on international flights are usually permitted to work longer shifts. Attendants usually spend 65-90 hours in the air and 50 hours preparing planes for passengers monthly.

Cabin crew tend to live close to their base, but it's not the only option. Many airlines say that crew must live within 45 minutes to 90 minutes traveling time of their base. This is due to 'standby' duties, where cabin crew are called out last minute to operate a flight where someone has gone sick or is late for duty.

Do flight attendants get to go home every day? Flight attendants have variable work schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, because airlines operate every day, and some offer overnight flights. Attendants work in an aircraft and may be away from home several nights per week.