How much do flight attendants earn? The updated salary of hostesses and stewards

How Much Do Flight Attendants Earn?

It’s vacation time for many Italians who have chosen to travel abroad, which generally begins with a flight where they will be accompanied by flight attendants.
The profession of flight attendants, also known as cabin crew, is often viewed with a hint of envy as one of the most glamorous jobs, especially for those who love to travel.

One may wonder how much flight attendants earn, both on the ground and in the air, to discover if, in addition to the perk of working while traveling, there is also the expectation of a dream salary.
Generally speaking, especially for those working for low-cost airlines, the salary of flight attendants is not much different from other service industry professions.
However, this can vary significantly depending on the employing airline, with major airlines typically being more generous.

Factors such as seniority and specific duties come into play when determining the average gross and net salary of flight attendants.
Those working onboard flights usually earn more than their colleagues handling check-ins and boarding procedures at the airport.

Salary Overview of Flight Attendants

Various factors affect their salary, one being the average monthly working hours for flight attendants, usually around 80 hours.
Additionally, depending on the route, they might spend nights away from home, covered by the airline.
Stress from consecutive flights and irregular shifts can also impact them.

For inexperienced flight attendants working approximately 80 hours a month, the net salary ranges from €1,200 to €1,800 monthly, translating to around €20,000-€25,000 annually.
The salary amount varies based on the airline, with some preferring to offer more benefits rather than higher salaries.

Salaries at Major Airlines

Emirates Airlines, one of the world’s leading airlines currently recruiting in Italy, offers a salary of around €2,500 net per month for Economy class flight attendants, including a fixed base salary, hourly pay on operated flights, and accommodation and transportation benefits.
As experience grows, the opportunity to work in higher classes comes with increased wages.

In addition to base salaries, airlines like Emirates Airlines often provide various benefits such as accommodation, transportation to work, profit-sharing, discounted tickets for family and friends, comprehensive medical insurance, and discounts at multiple partner establishments.

Qatar Airways, on the other hand, offers a fixed part ranging from €750 to €850 in the first year, with an additional hourly pay of around €9.
Ita Airways provides a basic net salary of about €1,000 per month, potentially reaching €2,000 net based on the actual flight hours.

Flag carriers like Air France and Lufthansa offer competitive salaries, with Air France starting at €1,500 but potentially exceeding €3,500, while Lufthansa initiates at a net €1,800 per month, with extensive opportunities to reach €3,600, including benefits.

Southwest Airlines, a US-based carrier, stands out for its higher wages, starting at a €2,500 base salary with substantial growth potential, potentially exceeding €5,000.

Salaries at Low-Cost Airlines

As previously mentioned, salaries at low-cost airlines are generally lower, around €1,500 net per month, comparable to other tertiary service jobs.
Ryanair, one of the most well-known low-cost airlines, offers a starting salary ranging from €1,100 to €1,500 per month, with a bi-annual bonus of €600.

On the other hand, EasyJet’s salaries vary seasonally, typically starting from €1,300 in winter to €1,800 in summer and popular travel destinations.
Wizz Air offers a starting gross salary of around €13,500 per year, translating to approximately €1,000 net per month, with bonuses potentially reaching €8,700 gross annually.

Salaries for Ground Staff

For airport ground staff responsible for check-in and boarding operations, the salary is generally 20% lower than that of flight attendants due to fewer benefits and direct onboard responsibilities.