Flight attendants are only paid for their flight time. This means they are not compensated when they are walking through the airport to get to a gate or waiting for the aircraft to arrive. Their time clock does not start until the cabin door is closed.

Historically, flight attendants were only paid from the moment the "Main Cabin Door" closed until it opened (known as "Block-to-Block" time). However, by 2026, the industry has seen a major shift. Following landmark union negotiations in 2022 and 2024, many major carriers like Delta and Alaska Airlines began paying flight attendants "Boarding Pay," which is typically 50% of their hourly rate during the boarding process. Despite this, some airlines like Southwest and United (depending on the specific 2026 contract status) still primarily pay based on "flight minutes." For these crews, time spent during delays on the tarmac, boarding, or cleaning the cabin between flights is often unpaid or covered by a very small "per diem" (around $2.00/hour) intended for meals. This remains a major point of contention in 2026 labor disputes. When you see a flight attendant greeting you at the door, depending on the airline, they are either earning their first "Boarding Pay" dollars or working essentially for free until the plane pushes back from the gate.