Do airline staff get free food?

Most decent airlines provide a meal for their crew. There are exceptions, most notably Ryanair in Europe, where pilots even have to pay for the water they drink. Almost all airlines in the world provide a meal though. I've worked in four different airlines and I never had to worry about getting food on board.



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Not only are in-flight snacks and meals provided, but many companies also reimburse crew members for outside food expenses during travel. When flight attendants land in one city and have time before their next flight, they can explore local restaurants and try new food for free.

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10 benefits of being a flight attendant
  • Free flights and travel opportunities. ...
  • Flight benefits for family and friends. ...
  • Flexible schedule. ...
  • Opportunities to meet new people. ...
  • Food expense reimbursement. ...
  • Overnight hotel stays. ...
  • Ability to self-direct. ...
  • Health insurance.


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Regarding food, complimentary snacks aren't provided on flights under 800 miles, but passengers can bring their own. Flights over 500 miles offer additional items like snack boxes for purchase, and flights 1500 miles or longer have Bistro on Board items available.

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At other airlines it depends on your rank, and only select employees can fly first class. For example, at Emirates only captains can fly in first class on a space available basis, while first officers and pursers can fly business class, and all other employees can only fly economy.

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So what does happen to uneaten airline food? Some airlines allow flight attendants to eat untouched business or first class meals. But the majority of the time, they are either incinerated or dumped in a landfill.

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Really, snacks were a way of cutting operating costs and passing those savings along to the customer with cheaper ticket prices. Industry deregulation in 1978 allowed other airlines to trade in prime rib for peanuts, and after September 11, 2001, profit margins were so tight that skimpy snacks became the norm.

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Also, a whole lot of employees bring their own food to work, according to a flight attendant named Whytney who has worked with a major US airline for seven years.

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Which airline pays the highest salary in the world?
  • Alaska Airlines - $199,298 per year.
  • Delta Airlines - $184,133 per year.
  • Hawaiian Airlines - $150,001 per year.
  • Sun Country Airlines - $124,072 per year.
  • American Airways - $121,047 per year.
  • Frontier Airlines - $116,692 per year.
  • Spirit Airlines - $114,494 per year.


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Qatar Airways
It might be one of the best airlines to work for with competitive salaries, medical insurance and retirement plans. They also provide their employees with accommodation and transportation, which is a huge benefit for those who work far from home.

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If the airline has a business or first class service, once that's complete, any extra meals are distributed among the crew. First-class service is on demand, and passengers need options right up until the end of the flight, so that is more rare, but it makes the crew very happy.

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While being a flight attendant isn't the highest-paying job, you're almost always guaranteed to fly for free. Flight attendants can ride in coach for free or fly with a companion for about 90 percent off plus tax and fees on international flights. Additionally, you'll receive benefits, like health and dental insurance.

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Flight benefits for family and friends
Some airlines also provide additional free flights in the form of buddy passes. Flight attendants usually receive a certain number of passes within a year, and they can give them to friends or other family members.

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Can you ask flight attendant for snacks? Economy passengers don't often get full meals on short-haul flights, but they do get a round of drinks and snacks. If you find yourself a little peckish or thirsty after that service, politely ask your flight attendant for another round.

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Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.

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Most long haul aircraft have bunk beds available for both the Pilots and Cabin Crew. These are generally hidden out of view from passengers. If no bunks are available, commercial passenger seats in business or first class are set aside for the pilots to ensure a good standard of rest can be achieved.

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