Corporate Flight Attendant Salaries
Pay. You know that business aviation pays more than commercial,
in most cases a lot better, but you aren't sure what the going
rate is for a corporate flight attendant. It might surprise you
to learn that pay rates vary widely depending on the type of
account you are flying for, your location, your
responsibilities, experience, and more.
Over the years I have discovered that the pay range is not set
in stone. Typically, fractional operators [i.e., Netjets, Flight
Options, Flexjet] pay less than charter operators [Part 135] who
pay less than owner operators [Part 91]. Are there exceptions to
this rule? Yes, of course. Other factors as mentioned above can
play a significant role in determining what you will make. These
factors include:
Location. Business flight attendants based closer to
major metropolitan areas command the highest salaries. New York
and Los Angeles are the two most trafficked areas for private
flying. Between corporate tycoons and Hollywood stars, these two
metropolitan areas produce some of the most significant amounts
of flying in business aviation. If you are located in Pocatello,
Idaho or in Burlington, VT, the chances of you finding work in
the first place are remote, unless a fractional operator hires
you and allows you to airline to reposition for your flights.
Responsibilities. So, what are you? Will you be treated
as a passenger who serves other passengers or will you be
expected to manage the entire cabin from the cockpit door on
back? Is there a difference in service? Yes, but in the
perception of the company doing the hiring there may not be. The
written job description may differ from what the job actually
requires. It may take several interviews for you to find out if
the company places value on your culinary expertise, your safety
and security training, your related job experience, etc.
Generally, those companies looking for someone with "no
experience necessary, will train" will pay less than those who
state they want an employee who is up to date with their
training and who has flown for a number of years.
Other questions to keep in mind:
How often will you be flying?
Will you be flying between set cities or traveling
internationally?
How may days per month?
How many soft days v. hard days will you have per month?
Will you be on call?
Will you be expected to work in the office on days off?
Will you be expected to "look after" children a/k/a play the
nanny role when not flying?
Will you be supervising other flight attendants?
Experience The more experience flying corporate, the
better. Companies should reward you based on your business
flying background, safety and security training, culinary
expertise, world language skills [if flying internationally],
management skills, people skills, etc. Some companies require
that you act as a personal assistant to the CEO. Extra
compensation should be commanded for these additional
responsibilities.
So, what is the pay range? These figures are not absolute, but
the U.S. salaries that I know being earned by corporate flight
attendants falls into three general categories. These are some
generalized salary ranges:
Fractional Operators: 33K to 45K, corporate experience
not always required. These companies will train you to their
specifications. One of the big pluses for fractionals is that
you can live mostly anywhere; at least one company will allow
you to airline to meet up with the aircraft [they also let you
accumulate and keep your airliner miles].
Charter Operators: 45K to 80K, depending on location of
aircraft and your experience. Much of what I've heard as the
quoted salary is in the low to mid-50s range. Indeed, the NBAA
supports this data with a recent survey showing that the average
corporate flight attendant is paid just over 53K per year.
Owner Operators: 25K to 100K+. Let's not kid ourselves.
There are companies that will expect you to jump through hoops
to fly on their aircraft and for peanuts [and you know they
don't serve peanuts to their passengers!] On the other hand, if
you are a chief flight attendant your salary will probably start
at 75K and can easily exceed 90K. The higher salary can be
expected when you have a "VP" title and are in charge of several
flight attendants. Oh, by the way, don't forget that you will be
flying in addition to your office duties... guess who has to
cover for sick employees when no one else can be found?
100K+?! Let's just say that this amount is
unusual, but I did confirm 110K for one flight attendant flying
internationally some time back. Generally, never expect anyone
to reveal their salary to you... why should they?
What about flying contract? Wow... you had to ask. If I
told you that you can expect an average of $300. - $350. per day
plus per diem would that suit you? The amounts being paid for
contractors vary just as widely as they do for full time flight
attendants. I have heard of flight attendants flying for $0 just
to get the experience and hours [how could a company
conscientiously allow that to happen? Okay, stupid question!]
I've also heard of a flight attendant making $600 per day flying
internationally. Contract rates vary widely and depend, again,
on your location, responsibilities, experience, etc.
Questions to ask yourself:
What am I worth? If you think that the job merits 60K per
year, then you need to make a case for earning 60K per year. If
the company insists on paying 35K, guess what? You won't make
anything near 60K, you'll be crossed off their list and the
person settling for 35K will get the job.
What will I settle for? Can I justify the lower salary
just to get some work? If I have flown for years and are willing
to take a 20-25K pay cut, will I be able to live on the lower
salary? Can I expect to renegotiate my salary once hired [don't
make me laugh...]?
What benefits can I expect? 401(k), medical, dental,
vacation, sick/personal days, and the like are some of the
expected benefits when working full time.
Other considerations:
Do they pay for uniforms?
Is there a uniform allowance?
What about salary reviews/job performance reviews?
Is there room for promotion?
Can I ever transfer to another corporate account?
Will they pay for my training?
What is their policy on job termination/severance?
Is this a family friendly environment?
The more you know about your needs, wants, and desires before
you are interviewed, the better opportunity you will have to be
adequately compensated. Find out what is important to you: i.e.,
lower salary v. living where I want; job security v. higher pay;
public visibility v. anonymity, etc. Stick with your principles
and act upon them while negotiating your next position.
One final question to ask yourself once a job offer has been
tendered: Can I live with myself if I accept this position?