Airlines sometimes have to reposition pilots and flight attendants so they can work on flights. Staff who are deadheading are paid to fly so they can reach another airport but aren't on active duty. They generally fly in their uniform and sit among passengers in economy seats.

Yes, in 2026, almost all commercial airline pilots and flight attendants receive full pay for "deadhead" flights. A deadhead occurs when the airline requires a crew member to travel as a passenger to be in position for their next working flight or to return home after a shift. Under most union contracts (such as those with ALPA or AFA), deadheading is considered "on-duty" time. Usually, crew members are paid at their standard hourly flight rate, and the hours count toward their daily and monthly duty limits to prevent fatigue. In fact, many senior pilots prefer deadhead segments because they earn their high hourly wage while resting in a passenger seat, often in Business or First Class if available. At "high-quality" carriers like Republic Airways or Delta, deadhead pay is often 100% of the flight hourly rate, plus per diem for meals. This is a critical distinction from "commuting," where a pilot flies on their own time to get to their home base; commuting is unpaid, whereas deadheading is an employer-mandated relocation and is thus fully compensated.