How much of a discount do flight attendants get?

As an airline employee, you qualify for discounts on just about every type of vacation you can imagine! We work directly with hotels, all-inclusive resorts, tours, and cruise lines to offer you substantial discounts of up to 75% OFF retail rates as an industry courtesy” just for being a part of the travel community.



Flight attendants typically receive some of the most generous travel benefits in any industry, primarily in the form of "non-revenue" (non-rev) travel. This means they can fly for free or for a very small fee (taxes and security charges) on their own airline, provided there is an empty seat available. This "standby" travel allows them to see the world for virtually no cost, though it comes with the risk of being bumped if the flight is full. Additionally, most flight attendants have access to "ID90" or "ZED" (Zonal Employee Discount) fares, which provide up to 90% off the standard ticket price on dozens of other partner airlines worldwide. Beyond their own flights, they usually get a limited number of "buddy passes" for friends and family at a high discount (often 50-70% off) and significant discounts on hotels, car rentals, and even cruise lines through specialized travel portals like ID90 Travel. In 2026, many airlines have modernized these perks to allow for "confirmed" discounted seats at 20-40% off the market rate, giving crew members more certainty for their vacations while still maintaining the "free standby" culture that defines the lifestyle.

People Also Ask

How Much Do Entry Level Flight Attendant Jobs Pay per Year? $28,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $46,500 is the 75th percentile.

MORE DETAILS

Can you make a living as a flight attendant? Yes, you can make a decent living as a flight attendant. The median salary is $61,640 per year and there are many opportunities to make more than that based on your experience level, the airline you work for and even your geographic location.

MORE DETAILS

Can you make a living as a flight attendant? Yes, you can make a decent living as a flight attendant. The median salary is $61,640 per year and there are many opportunities to make more than that based on your experience level, the airline you work for and even your geographic location.

MORE DETAILS

Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.

MORE DETAILS

When it comes to new flight attendants just starting out, the highest paying airlines are JetBlue, $32,000, and Southwest Airlines, $30,000. For seasoned flight attendants looking for earning potential, JetBlue, $103,000, and Alaskan Airlines, $113,000, are the highest paying airlines.

MORE DETAILS

At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.

MORE DETAILS

Do flight attendants get free hotel accommodation? Yes, flight attendants often receive complimentary hotel stays during layovers (also called a stopover) as part of their job benefits. However, this only applies when the flight attendants are on duty and are required to layover in a different city or country.

MORE DETAILS

At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.

MORE DETAILS

Unique To American Airlines
Unlimited space available travel for free for all employees, domestic partners/spouses, children, parents/in-laws (small fee) and 16 buddy passes/year (small fee).

MORE DETAILS

If you believe you are underpaid, you cannot exactly walk into your supervisor's office and ask for more money. Instead, you must rely on your union representatives to stand up for you – and every other flight attendant who works for the airline – during contract negotiations.

MORE DETAILS

Based on United States strict discrimination and labor laws, there is no maximum age to become a flight attendant. In general, it's worth noting that the retirement age there is around 65 years old.

MORE DETAILS

Scientists have done the math, and it turns out that frequent fliers actually age the tiniest bit more quickly than people with both feet on the ground. But not to worry, the difference is so small, you don't have to worry about extra wrinkles.

MORE DETAILS

At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.

MORE DETAILS

For aspiring flight attendants, Delta Air Lines, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job. It's harder to get invited to Delta flight attendant training than it is to get into Harvard University.

MORE DETAILS

New flight attendants typically work a reserve schedule and must be close to the airport, or sometimes wait at the airport for a call to duty. Senior flight attendants enjoy more flexibility in their schedule and choice of destinations. Both roles enjoy the same travel benefits with about 12 days off per month.

MORE DETAILS

Delta Airlines is one of the best airlines to work for in the US. They offer competitive salaries and benefits, excellent training programs, and a clear career progression path. Delta also has a strong safety record and a good reputation in the industry.

MORE DETAILS

Delta Air Lines made headlines this month for offering passengers $10,000 to leave their flight.

MORE DETAILS

Having someone to split the bills with will be the most effective way to save money. If you want to save on rent, you can either get a roommate(s), live in a crashpad, rent a room, or stay with family. You can usually find a few classmates in training to share a place with at your base.

MORE DETAILS