A Guide to Cabin Crew Salary

In any flight operating in any location, the role of the cabin crew is quite important. They are the first ones who meet the passenger and are paramount to the flying experience. The objective of the cabin crew is to ensure that the flying experience is pleasant and safe for the passengers. This is why aspiring individuals looking to make a career in this domain are first inclined to know about the cabin crew salary.

But first, let’s look at the difference between cabin crew and flight attendants.

What is the Difference Between Cabin Crew and Flight Attendants?

For many, flight attendants and cabin crew become interchangeable: people who ensure the passengers are kept happy, educated about safety instructions, and offered drinks and eatables. But there is a slight difference.

The cabin crew comprises everyone who works onboard the airplane. This includes the flight attendants, senior flight attendants, and even onboard chefs on more significant flights. They are all part of the larger cabin crew team. In this lot, flight attendants instruct patients on emergency situations and take care of the passengers. Senior flight attendants are in charge of the whole crew and work in a supervisory role. This is why the average cabin crew salary differs because the scope of work is so varied.

Now, let’s jump straightaway onto the airline cabin crew salary!

Airline Cabin Crew Salary

1. United States

Salary: The average salary of a cabin crew in the United States stands at $86,753 per year, with a range of $65,342 to $119,079. Several factors affect cabin crew pay such as years of experience, per diem, the additional pay for each hour they are away from the base, and location. The airline also makes a difference. For instance, United Airlines pays $28.88 per flight hour to entry-level flight attendants while the same at American Airlines is $30.35 per hour.

Qualification: To work as cabin crew in the US, you must be 21 years of age, pass a medical exam that includes vision and hearing tests, be able to swim 50 meters, and be able to travel abroad. You must also be a US citizen. A high school diploma is the mandatory qualification.

2. United Kingdom

Salary: Depending on experience and the airline one works for, the typical air cabin crew salary varies from £14,000 to £45,000 ($17978.45 to $57787.88) annually. Additional benefits including flight rate per hour on duty, performance bonuses, commission for in-flight retail, and monthly allowance for speaking several languages are all included in the remuneration of cabin crew members. Typical work hours in the UK are usually 30–40 hours per week, which can also involve working on some holidays.

Qualification: Besides a high school diploma, you need to have strong English language skills, a valid passport, be over 18 years old, pass a medical exam, and demonstrate physical fitness. Most airlines provide cabin crew training, including first aid, safety knowledge, and customer service skills.

3. India

Salary: In India, the salary of a cabin crew can range between ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000 ($287.46 to $1149.84) annually. The cabin crew salary depends on various factors such as experience, airline, and location. Cabin crew also receive additional compensation like bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, and overtime pay. International airlines also provide perks like accommodation, bonuses, and flight allowances.

Qualification: You must have a high school diploma from a recognized board and be between 17 and 27 years old. Some airlines have more specific qualification criteria. In addition to these, you must complete a certified air hostess course or specialized cabin crew training program.

4. Australia

Salary: The cabin crew pay in Australia ranges between AUD 60,000 and AUD 65000 ($37676.40 and $40816.10). The city one is working in also impacts cabin crew salary. For example, one can earn around AUD 62,000 ($43892.28) in Darwin, AUD 61,963 ($38909.04) in Brisbane, and AUD 59,750 ($37519.41) in Sydney.

Qualification: Besides a high school diploma, one must be 18 years old or older, pass a medical exam, have excellent customer service skills, and demonstrate strong communication abilities in English. Aspiring candidates will benefit from undergoing a cabin crew training program from a reputed school since any airline values this qualification.

5. Germany

Salary: The average air cabin crew salary in Germany stands at €56,520 ($60480.64), including additional bonus pay of €1,503 ($1608.32). As one progresses in his/her career, so does their salary. Senior flight attendants with 8+ years of experience can expect an annual salary of €69,746 ($74633.45) per year. In addition to base salary, flight attendants may receive additional compensation such as cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing.

Qualification: One typically needs a high school diploma, a valid "Initial Safety Training Attestation" or "Initial Training Certificate" issued under EU regulations, strong command over English and German, pass a medical exam that includes a physical fitness test, and be able to swim.

6. Canada

Salary: The salary of a cabin crew member in Canada ranges between CAD 20,732 and CAD 78,209 ($14406.15 and $54345.48), depending on their experience and the airline they work for. Some cities such as Montreal and Vancouver pay much higher salaries around CAD 33.92 ($23.57) per hour. The cabin crew pay in Air Canada is also 7% above the national average, standing at CAD 30.60 ($21.26) per hour.

Qualification: A high school diploma, a valid passport, and a cabin crew medical test are mandatory. One must also pass the background check and complete a training program.

7. Malaysia

Salary: The average cabin crew salary on a monthly basis in Malaysia stands at MYR 3,000 ($677.28), the exact figure determined by the city, airline, and experience. For instance, cabin crew pay in Subang Jaya is MYR 5,495 ($1,240.56) per month while the same stands at MYR 5,244 ($1,183.90) per month in Kuching. Besides this, Additional pay can include cash bonuses, commission, tips, and profit sharing.

Qualification: To qualify as cabin crew, you need to be 18 years of age or above, have a minimum of SPM with two credits including English, be proficient in spoken and written English, have a pleasant personality, strong customer service skills, and meet height requirements (usually 157cm for females and 165cm for males) depending on the airline; additional languages are often beneficial.

8 United Arab Emirates

Salary: The salary of a cabin crew member in the UAE depends on where the airline is located, the experience a person has, and the specific role. For instance, airline cabin crew salary at Etihad Airways stands at AED 4,260 ($1159.93) per month for entry-level professionals. The air cabin crew salary at Emirates is estimated at AED 18,333 ($4991.76) per month for senior professionals.

Qualification: To qualify for a cabin crew job, one should have completed high school. They also need to be fluent in spoken and written English, have a minimum height requirement, be physically fit, and ideally possess some customer service or hospitality experience. Ideally, most airlines value at least one year of experience in hospitality or customer service.

Cabin Crew Pay: Additional Benefits

There is more to the salary of a cabin crew than the monthly payments. Let’s look at some of them.

Allowance payments: There is an allowance payment for nights spent away from base. However, not all airlines pay for allowances; some have a set figure.
Language payments: Some airlines will include a small monthly allowance in their air cabin crew salary for language speakers. You may get paid a little extra if you speak a language fluently and can make public announcements onboard regular flights.
Commission from duty-free sales onboard: This refers to the percentage of the revenue generated from selling duty-free items like perfumes, alcohol, or electronics on an airplane to passengers. This may be between 5-10% of total sales on board, shared by the whole crew.
Pension schemes: Besides the cabin crew pay, you might also receive a pension scheme. Most scheduled airlines and some charters also offer reduced price tickets or staff travel on standby (if there is a seat available last minute!) which can be helpful if you wish to commute or travel during your annual leave.
Discounts: Some cabin crew may be lucky and receive discounts on gym membership, restaurants, and transportation. Down-route, you may get discounts on internet fees and food at your hotel and discounts at the airport's duty-free shop. As your uniform is so important to the company image, the company will normally pay for you to have it dry cleaned and some have laundry facilities at base for you to drop off your uniform.

Cabin Crew Job Responsibilities

The cabin crew's job responsibilities are many on short and long-haul flights. The most important thing is to ensure that the flight for the passengers is comfortable. But if we go further, their job responsibilities include:

Attending pre-flight meetings to understand each Flight Attendant’s duty and position during the flight
Checking the cabin and cargo section before taking off
Demonstrating the safety procedures to the passengers
Monitoring the cabin frequently throughout the flight to make sure all passenger queries are addressed
Providing personalised assistance to passengers with special needs

Crew Essential Skills

If you have all the necessary qualifications and are ready to face the cabin crew interview round of your potential airline, there are some key skills that your employers will be looking for. While you will get the training to hone your attributes during your training, it is always better to go completely prepared.

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Here are some skills that airlines value in their cabin crew. All these have a direct impact on the average cabin crew salary.

Excellent communication skills
Confidence in dealing with a range of people
Compassion and the ability to support your colleagues
Competence in handling critical situations
Commercial awareness and sales skills
Flexibility in working on holidays or late nights
Good people skills

Professional Development

Most airlines have a structured training programme for new entrants. Post-COVID, some of the training modules are also carried out virtually. Typically, the training program will last between four and eight weeks, though longer if you're in a specialist position such as First Class, which also impacts the air cabin crew salary.

Now, these training programs focus on teaching the candidates about passenger safety, including the aircraft's safety equipment and emergency procedures, security and first aid, and service and hospitality.

In addition, the training will include topics such as cultural awareness, currency exchange, customs and immigration rules, first aid and CPR, self-defense, fire fighting, food prep and service, gallery management, customer service, and product knowledge.

If you opt for a training program from an institute independent of the airline, ensure the training modules cover all the relevant topics. Airlines value a holistic training program, which can impact the salary of a cabin crew member.

Conclusion

In the last two years, we have seen an exponential increase in cabin crew jobs primarily due to the rising demand for air travel, with more people flying globally, leading to airlines expanding their fleets and routes. For those aspiring to make a career in this segment, there is no better time than the present to make the jump. And refer to our blog to know about airline cabin crew salary in minutes!

Cabin Crew: Salary guide

What is the Difference Between Cabin Crew and Flight Attendants?