Is Being a Flight Attendant Still Worth It?

28.05.2024 - 23:01 / afar.com

One of the biggest allures of being a flight attendant is having the opportunity to travel the world while getting paid. However, working in the aviation industry is not without its challenges. Recent years have highlighted issues like increased incidents of air rage during the COVID-19 pandemic and labor disputes, as most U.S. flight attendants get paid only once the airplane door closes—not during the boarding process—regardless of flight delays.

Despite these hurdles, is becoming a flight attendant still a desirable career option for travel lovers?

According to Joclyn Palucho, a Los Angeles–based flight attendant for a major U.S. carrier, the answer is still a resounding yes.

“The fact that you’re in different cities or countries every week and seeing new places as your job is the absolute best,” says Palucho. “There is no other job like it.”

Across the world in Spain, Marta Canseco works for a European airline with bases in Spain. She shares Palucho’s sentiments, highlighting the cultural exposure and constant travel that being a flight attendant affords her—but also notes that it’s not always as glamorous as it may seem.

Flight attendants do get to travel, but the job can be demanding and exhausting.

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Canseco explains that flight attendants who work on long-haul flights often stay at a layover destination for two to three days to get their required rest. During this time, the airlines cover their hotel expenses and give them a per diem to cover their food expenses.

While it does sound dreamy and can be an excellent way to see new places, Canseco cautions that “the reality is quite different. Cabin crew are exhausted after long flight duties, so many of them prefer to stay at the hotel, prioritizing their rest.”

Traveling for work is one thing; flight attendants have the added benefit that they can fly for free on standby (though they have to pay taxes and fees on international flights). They often also have access to discounted rates for flights, hotels, car rentals, gym memberships, and cruises through employee booking portals and websites like StaffTraveler. They can even share some of their discounted flight benefits with a partner and family members.

“Once, my sister needed to travel to San Jose, California, from Washington, D.C., for a last-minute family event,” says Palucho. “She was able to use one of my buddy passes as a standby, where you can get on the flight if there are any open seats. She was able to get on the flight and made it to San Jose on schedule.”

As flight attendants become more senior, they get more flexibility with their work schedule. Venezia Macias, a Las Vegas–based flight attendant for a domestic low-cost carrier, explains that her airline allows