corporate flight attendant salaries
Pay. You know that business aviation pays more than commercial, in most cases much better, but you’re not sure what the going rate is for a corporate flight attendant. It may surprise you to learn that pay rates vary widely depending on the type of account you’re flying for, your location, your responsibilities, experience, and more.
Over the years, I’ve found that pay range isn’t set in stone. In general, the fractional operators [i.e., Netjets, Flight Options, Flexjet] pay less than charter operators [Part 135] that pays less than owner operators [Part 91]. Are there exceptions to this rule? OUI well south. Other factors, as mentioned above, can play a role in determining what you will do. These factors include:
To lease. Business flight attendants located closest to major metropolitan areas earn the highest salaries. New York and Los Angeles are the two busiest areas for private flights. Between corporate moguls and Hollywood stars, these two metropolitan areas produce some of the most significant numbers of flights in commercial aviation. If you’re in Pocatello, Idaho or Burlington, VT, the chances of you finding work in the first place are slim, unless a fractional carrier hires you and allows the airline to relocate for its flights.
Responsibilities. Then what are you? Will you be treated like a passenger serving other passengers or will you be expected to manage the entire cabin from the cabin door in the rear? Is there a difference in service? Yes, but in the perception of the company that carries out the hiring, there may not be. The written job description may differ from what the job actually requires. You may need multiple interviews to find out if the company values your culinary experience, safety and security training, related work experience, etc. Typically, those companies looking for someone with “no experience needed, will train” will pay less than those that claim they want an employee who is up to date with their training and has flown for several years.
Other questions to consider:
How often will you fly?
Will you fly between fixed cities or will you travel internationally?
How many days per month?
How many soft days v. Will you have hard days per month?
Will you be on guard?
Will I be expected to work in the office on days off?
Will you be expected to “babysit” the children and play a babysitting role when not flying?
Will you supervise other flight attendants?
Experience The more experience in corporate flights, the better. Companies should reward you based on your commercial flight record, safety and security training, culinary experience, world language skills [if flying internationally], management skills, people skills, etc. Some companies require you to act as a personal assistant to the CEO. Additional compensation must be ordered for these additional liabilities.
So what is the pay range? These numbers aren’t absolute, but the American salaries I know corporate flight attendants earn fall into three general categories. Here are some general salary ranges:
Fractional operators: 33K to 45K, corporate experience not always required. These companies will train you to your specifications. One of the great advantages of fractionals is that you can live almost anywhere; at least one company will allow the airline to meet the plane [they also let you accumulate and keep your airliner miles].
Charter operators: 45K to 80K, depending on the location of the aircraft and your experience. Much of what I’ve heard about the quoted salary is in the low to mid-50s range. In fact, the NBAA backs this up with a recent survey showing that the average corporate flight attendant is paid just over 53K per year.
Proprietary operators: 25K to 100K+. Let’s not fool ourselves. There are companies that will expect you to jump through hoops to fly on their planes and for peanuts. [and you know they don’t serve peanuts to their passengers!] On the other hand, if you are a chief flight attendant, your salary will probably start at 75K and can easily exceed 90K. A higher salary can be expected when you have a “VP” title and are in charge of multiple flight attendants. Oh, by the way, don’t forget you’ll be flying in addition to your office duties…guess who has to cover for sick employees when no one else can be found?
100K+?! Let’s say this amount is unusual, but I confirmed 110K for a stewardess flying internationally some time ago. In general, she never expects anyone to reveal her salary to her… why should they?
What about the flight contract? Wow… you had to ask. If I told you that you can expect an average of $300. – $350. per day plus per diem, is that convenient for you? The amounts paid to contractors vary as much as full-time flight attendants. I have heard of flight attendants flying for $0 just to get the experience and the hours. [how could a company conscientiously allow that to happen? Okay, stupid question!] I have also heard of a flight attendant earning $600 a day on an international flight. Contract rates vary widely and depend, again, on your location, responsibilities, experience, etc.
Questions to ask yourself:
What am I worth? If you think the job is worth 60K per year, then you should file a case to earn 60K per year. If the company insists on paying 35K, guess what? You won’t earn anything close to 60K, you’ll be crossed off their list and the person who settles for 35K will get the job.
What am I satisfied with? Can I justify the lower salary just to get some work? If I have flown for years and am willing to take a pay cut of 20-25,000, will I be able to live on the lower salary? Can I expect to renegotiate my salary once hired? [don’t make me laugh…]?
What benefits can I expect? 401(k), medical, dental, vacation, sick/personal days and the like are some of the benefits expected when working full time.
Other considerations:
Do they pay for uniforms?
Is there a uniform allocation?
What about salary reviews/job performance reviews?
Is there room for promotion?
Can I ever transfer to another corporate account?
Will they pay for my training?
What is your policy on termination/worker’s compensation?
Is this a family environment?
The more you know about your needs and wants before you are interviewed, the better chance you have of receiving adequate compensation. Find out what is important to you: i.e. lower salary v. live where I want; job security vs. highest country; public visibility vs. anonymity etc Stick to your principles and act on them as you negotiate your next position.
One last question to ask yourself once a job offer has been submitted: Can I live with myself if I accept this position?
