The Cabin Crew Index
Cabin crew are integral to the airline industry, ensuring that our journeys are safe and comfortable and that everything runs smoothly. They’re often seen as the friendly face of the industry, but their responsibilities go beyond just customer service as trained professionals equipped to handle emergencies, such as administering first aid, managing in-flight security, or coordinating evacuations.
It can be an appealing career path, offering excellent opportunities to travel to some of the biggest cities alongside your work life, but which airlines are the best to work for?
The team at Bounce have analyzed some of the world’s biggest airlines based on factors like pay, length of training, and the number of potential destinations you could fly to.
The best global airlines for cabin crew
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Becoming cabin crew offers an exciting career full of travel opportunities, excellent perks, and the chance to work with renowned airlines. Here are the top airlines ranked based on salary, employee satisfaction, training, and overall cabin crew experience.
GBP, USD, and EUR: Average cabin crew salary
1. Delta Air Lines - 8.08/10
- Average cabin crew salary: $29,434 (£23,100 / €27,961)
- Glassdoor review score: 4.2
- Hubs: 10
- Destinations: 312
- Training length: 6 weeks
Delta Air Lines secures the top spot thanks to a strong balance of employee satisfaction and the scale of its destinations. With ten hubs and over 300 destinations worldwide, Delta offers excellent opportunities for cabin crew. Key destinations include London, New York, and Tokyo. Despite a modest average salary, a high Glassdoor review score shows that employees are generally satisfied.
Delta is often praised for its inclusive culture, profit-sharing schemes, and support for employee well-being. Employees enjoy comprehensive health insurance, travel privileges, and a supportive work-life balance.
2. United Airlines - 7.33/10
- Average cabin crew salary: $38,226 (£30,000 / €36,312)
- Glassdoor review score: 3.9
- Hubs: 8
- Destinations: 358
- Training length: 6.5 weeks
United Airlines stands out for offering one of the highest salaries in the industry: $38,226 (£30,000 / €36,312). While its Glassdoor score is slightly lower than Delta’s, United has hubs in major cities like Chicago and San Francisco and destinations spanning Los Angeles, Paris, and Sydney, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a career in the aviation industry.
United employees enjoy unlimited standby travel and discounted airfares across United's extensive network. They also offer comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
2. American Airlines - 7.33/10
- Average cabin crew salary: $44,597 (£35,000 / €42,365)
- Glassdoor review score: 3.6
- Hubs: 10
- Destinations: 357
- Training length: 6 weeks
Tied with United, American Airlines offers the second-highest salary at $44,597 (£35,000 / €42,365). It features an extensive global network with ten hubs and 357 destinations. Key cities in American Airlines’ network include Dallas, Miami, Madrid, and Rome. While the Glassdoor review score is lower, suggesting some room for improvement in employee satisfaction, American Airlines makes up for it with potentially lucrative earnings and many destinations.
AA flight attendants recently agreed on a new five-year contract that includes immediate wage increases of up to 20.5% and retroactive pay. This agreement also compensates for boarding time, which cabin crew contracts traditionally haven’t.
Which airline offers the best salary for cabin crew?
SWISS - £35,606 ($45,369 / €43,098)
The airline offering the most competitive salary for cabin crew is Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), at £35,606 (40,000 CHF). In November 2023, SWISS and the cabin crew union, kapers, came to a new agreement that included a CHF 400 (£356) increase in the full-time basic monthly salary for all cabin crew members, along with a 2% inflation-based salary adjustment effective from January 1, 2023.
In addition to base salaries, many airlines also provide additional compensation in the form of allowances for multi-day trips, bonuses for in-flight sales, and other performance-based incentives. Depending on the airline and the routes flown, these extras can significantly enhance overall earnings.
Which airline has the best employee satisfaction?
easyJet - 4.3/5
While experiences vary from person to person, easyJet generally has high employee satisfaction for cabin crew staff, with an average review score of 4.3 out of 5. Many Glassdoor reviews praise easyJet’s supportive management and inclusive culture.
Which airline has the most hubs?
Delta and American Airlines - 10
Regarding which airlines have the most hubs for cabin crew to base themselves at, two US airlines take the lead, with Delta and American Airlines having ten each. These hubs are located across the US, providing flexibility to potential cabin crew staff.
Delta Air Lines has hubs in Atlanta, its most significant and busiest; Detroit, a key Asian gateway; and Seattle, the main hub for flights to Asia and Alaska, among others. Meanwhile, American Airlines operates hubs such as Dallas/Forth Worth, its largest hub; Miami, the main gateway to Latin America; and Philadelphia, its main transatlantic hub.
Which airline flies to the most destinations?
United Airlines - 358
An extensive network of destinations is excellent for cabin crew staff who want to see as many new places as possible. United Airlines offers a vast network of destinations, with 358, including major cities and exotic locations in 60 countries on six continents across the globe. From iconic cities such as New York, London, and Tokyo to getaways like Costa Rica or the Maldives, the airline offers unmatched opportunities for cabin crew.
Which airline has the quickest cabin crew training?
KLM - 20 days
The airline where you can be qualified as cabin crew the quickest is Amsterdam-based KLM, with staff taking on 20 days of training Schiphol after 40 hours of online preparation. The training program focuses on safety, customer service, cultural awareness, and operational procedures, after which candidates must pass rigorous assessments to become certified cabin crew members.
The best British airlines for cabin crew
For those seeking cabin crew positions with British airlines, the following rank the best based on salary, training, destinations, and employee satisfaction.
GBP, USD, and EUR: Average cabin crew salary
1. easyJet - 7.00/10
- Average cabin crew salary: £18,500 ($23,573 / €22,393)
- Glassdoor review score: 4.3
- Hubs: 7
- Destinations: 156
- Training length: 4 weeks
easyJet ranks as the best British airline for cabin crew thanks to its high Glassdoor review score, which shows excellent employee satisfaction. With seven hubs, including significant bases like London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester, and Bristol, and 156 destinations, it offers career flexibility and travel opportunities. The relatively short four-week training period also ensures a quick start for recruits.
2. Jet2.com - 5.42/10
- Average cabin crew salary: £21,500 ($27,395 / €26,024)
- Glassdoor review score: 4.0
- Hubs: 1
- Destinations: 86
- Training length: 4 weeks
Though it has fewer destinations than easyJet, Jet2.com takes second place with a competitive average salary of £21,500 ($27,395 / €26,024) and a strong employee satisfaction score. This makes it a reliable choice for those seeking stability and career development in the industry.
3. British Airways - 5.25/10
- Average cabin crew salary: £21,000 ($26,758 / €25,419)
- Glassdoor review score: 3.7
- Hubs: 2
- Destinations: 212
- Training length: 5 weeks
British Airways ranks third, offering one of the most extensive destination networks with 212 locations. However, the salary is slightly lower than that of Jet2.com, and the five-week training period is somewhat longer.
How to pack cabin crew-friendly luggage
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, offers his packing tips for cabin crew to maximize their carry-on luggage for long-haul trips:
“Packing as cabin crew is all about balance — layers, versatile pieces, and a few climate-friendly essentials mean you're prepared for anything, whether a layover in the tropics or a chillier destination.
“1. Pack smart with versatile clothing
- Choose lightweight pieces you can layer, such as a thin thermal top, a t-shirt, and a cardigan or jacket. These can work in both cold and warm climates.
- Opt for mix-and-match neutrals to create multiple outfits without overpacking.
- Include one warm-weather outfit and one cold-weather item.
“2. Travel-sized essentials
- Carry toiletries in travel-sized containers to save space and ensure you meet airline liquid restrictions.
- Use solid products like shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, and deodorant sticks to maximize your liquid allowance.
“3. Prioritise comfort and functionality
- Include a pair of comfortable shoes that suit both casual walks and long days on your feet.
- Always pack spare underwear and socks to cover unexpected delays.
“4. Organise with packing cubes
- Packing cubes keep your carry-on neat and help separate items like work uniform pieces, casual wear, and emergency essentials.
“5. Essential extras
- For longer trips, include a travel laundry kit (detergent sheets and a sink stopper).
- Carry an empty reusable water bottle to fill after security and stay hydrated.”
Methodology
We compared 25 of the biggest airlines globally and in the UK on the following factors. Each factor was given a normalized score out of ten before an average was taken.
- Average cabin crew salary: Sourced from Glassdoor (note that additional pay from streams such as cash bonuses, stock, commission, profit sharing, and tips are often not included in average salary figures)
- Glassdoor review score: The average employee review score from Glassdoor
- Hubs: The number of operational hubs that the airline uses. As defined by Wikipedia, this is an airport used to concentrate passenger traffic and flight operations.
- Destinations: The number of destinations the airline currently flies to, according to FlightConnections.
- Length of training: How long it takes to complete cabin crew training, according to each airline’s website.
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