How Much Do Delta Flight Attendants Make?
On average, the starting salary for a Delta flight attendant is between $33,000-$45,000 with long standing higher earners making as much as $118,000 per year.
The salary of a flight attendant at major U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines varies greatly depending on what types of flights they are booked on—international or domestic—and how long they have been a flight attendant with Delta. On average, the starting salary for a Delta flight attendant is between $33,000 and $45,000 with long-standing higher earners making as much as $118,000 per year. In addition to their actual base pay, Delta flight attendants make additional income via per diem pay, incentive pay, and special position pay, such as lead flight attendant.
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Claim OfferHow to Become a Delta Flight Attendant
According to Delta, to become a flight attendant for the airline you must:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED
- Ability to work in the United States
- Speak English fluently
- Be 21 years of age
- Be fully vaccinated
- Be willing to fly both international and domestic routes
If you meet the criteria above, you may submit an application to Delta to be a flight attendant. If hired, you will attend Delta’s flight attendant training program.
What do Delta Flight Attendants Do?
Flight attendants are responsible for a variety of things before, during, and after flights. Some of their core duties include:
- Conduct safety checks before flight
- Welcome passengers, check tickets and accompany them to their seats
- Prepare and serve drinks and food to passengers
- Assist passengers and cabin crew during emergency situations
- Provide special help to passengers with special needs
Delta Flight Attendant Pay
First-year Delta flight attendants can expect to make between $33,000 and $45,000. The longer flight attendants stay with Delta, the more seniority they accrue, and this results in seniority and yearly raises. Senior flight attendants at Delta can make more than $118,000 per year.
Pay schedules for flight attendants at Delta
Step | Hourly Rate (USD) |
Start | $30.96 |
After 1 year | $32.82 |
After 2 years | $34.92 |
After 3 years | $37.20 |
After 4 years | $40.96 |
After 5 years | $46.38 |
After 6 years | $50.75 |
After 7 years | $52.37 |
After 8 years | $53.81 |
After 9 years | $55.83 |
After 10 years | $57.36 |
After 11 years | $60.10 |
After 12 years | $69.59 |
Training
Delta’s flight attendant training program is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The program lasts a total of six weeks. While in the training program, new flight attendants are trained in many topics, including:
- Turbulence
- Unruly passengers
- Medical emergencies
- Emergency landings
First Year
First-year Delta flight attendants can expect to make between $33,000 and $45,000. The hourly wage for a new flight attendant at Delta varies with experience in previous roles. New flight attendants should expect to make $30.96 per hour during their first year at Delta.
Senior Flight Attendant
Senior Delta flight attendants can expect to make more than $118,000 depending on how long they have been with Delta. The hourly wage for a senior flight attendant at Delta with more than 12 years of employment is roughly $69.59 per hour during their first year at Delta.
Other Flight Attendant Salaries/Wages
Delta is one of the highest paying airlines for flight attendants but there are many other options if you are interested in becoming a flight attendant. Here are a few.
American Airlines
American Airlines flight attendants start at a base salary of between $35,000 and $42,000 per year and can make up to $122,000 or more based on seniority level, number of hours flown per month, and pay level.
United Airlines
United Airlines flight attendants start at a base salary of between $35,000 and $40,000 per year and can make up to $185,000 or more based on seniority level, number of hours flown per month, and pay level.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines flight attendants start at a base salary of between $60,000 and $65,000 per year and can make up to $98,000 or more based on seniority level, number of hours flown per month, and pay level.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines flight attendants start at a base salary of between $45,000 and $50,000 per year and can make up to $132,000 or more based on seniority level, number of hours flown per month, and pay level.
Flight Crew Essential
Delta flight attendants are key crew members on the ground and in flight. If you would like to stay up to date with aviation news and information about pilot training and careers, subscribe to FLYING Magazine.
FAQ
Do flight attendants get training paid for?
Yes. Airlines consider training as part of the flight attendants' job and start paying flight attendants when they arrive at the training facility.
How often do flight attendants get paid?
Most airlines pay flight attendants on a monthly basis.
How do you become a Delta flight attendant?
To become a Delta flight attendant you must meet the eligibility requirements, apply to an open flight attendant position, get hired, and attend Delta’s flight attendant training program in Atlanta, Georgia
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