Discounted standard tickets. Flight attendants, pilots, (and possibly other employees that I'm not aware of) can fly standby with other airlines (not just your employer). This goes for most airlines, except sticklers like Delta that only stay within their network.

Yes, in 2026, flight attendants (and most airline employees) can fly standby on other airlines through a global system known as ZED (Zonal Employee Discount) travel. Most major carriers belong to the ZED multilateral agreement, which allows staff to purchase "space-available" tickets on partner airlines at a fraction of the commercial cost—often just the price of taxes and a small flat fee. For example, a United flight attendant could fly standby on Lufthansa or Air New Zealand. The "catch" is that they are at the bottom of the priority list; the airline’s own employees get first dibs on empty seats, followed by their families, and then "interline" (other airline) employees. Flight attendants use apps like StaffTraveler or portals like myIDTravel to check "load" (seat availability) before heading to the airport. They must also adhere to a strict dress code—no ripped jeans or gym wear—as they are considered representatives of the aviation industry even when off-duty. This "travel perk" is one of the most highly valued parts of the job, enabling global exploration for a few hundred dollars.