The job of a flight attendant is usually taken up by those looking for an exciting career with frequent travel and a dynamic lifestyle, but it’s not one that’s typically done for the money. Starting salaries for flight attendants can be quite low, while only the most experienced flight attendants at the world’s largest and highest paying airlines, namely US legacy carriers, will earn close to $100,000 per year. In private aviation, however, the situation can be different for some, although the duties and responsibilities of flight attendants also differ in many instances.

Flight attendants are legally required to be present on board large commercial aircraft for safety reasons, while this isn’t the case for private jets. Any flight attendants onboard a corporate plane are present exclusively to enhance the experience of flying private. In addition, flight attendants at many airlines are part of a union, with salaries and conditions being negotiated. Even salaries at non-unionized airlines are largely in line with those at unionized carriers. In private aviation, however, there is more variation.

The Role Of A Flight Attendant On Private Jets

The FAA requires flight attendants to be present on private aircraft with a maximum capacity greater than 19 passengers. In practice, it’s only executive versions of airliners used for VIP transport, like the Airbus ACJ and Boeing BBJ lines, that fall under this category. Every purpose-built business jet is designed with a maximum capacity no greater than 19 passengers, even for the largest Gulfstream and Bombardier models. This also means that every purpose-built business jet in production does not require a flight attendant.

Flight attendants onboard private jets are present exclusively to enhance the onboard experience for the passengers. You’ll often see cabin crew present on executive planes operated by charter companies, such as VistaJet and Netjets. These operators and others often staff a flight attendant on their larger jets, which have larger galleys with a wider variety of service options, and operate longer flights. However, they typically don’t staff a cabin crew member on smaller aircraft.

Of course, you also have individuals who own their own planes, and they may elect to hire their own flight attendant, although this naturally varies by individual. On a general level, private jet flight attendants receive more thorough hospitality training since they’re not required to be present for safety purposes, and they serve high-net-worth guests. Therefore, service standards are far higher than even in premium cabins on airlines, let alone in the economy cabin.

The Pay Of A Private Jet Flight Attendant

Flight attendant pay at a US airline generally varies from $30,000 to nearly $100,000. Pay is lowest at the regional airlines for junior crew members, while senior flight attendants working at one of the three legacy carriers ( American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines) are paid the best. A majority of the pay comes from hourly rates, but flight attendants are also paid per diem, along with smaller benefits such as credit card commissions. Hourly rates are based on seniority.

Flight attendant positions for private jets are scarcer. Requirements for applicants can vary drastically depending on the employer, but those looking to become a flight attendant on a private jet often need prior airline experience and may also need high-end hospitality experience, such as in restaurants or hotels. Pay, however, is often higher than at the airlines, typically ranging from $40,000 to well over $100,000. In addition, the ceiling in the private aviation industry can be much higher, depending on the employer.

An extreme example came to light in 2023. CNBC had reported that Netflix was offering a salary of up to $385,000 for a flight attendant position at the time. This exceeds the pay of many commercial pilots. Of course, only one candidate ended up getting the job, and most flight attendants are paid significantly less money. However, there do exist a handful of employers willing to pay big money for a flight attendant. As such, while most private jet flight attendants earn slightly higher salaries than those at the airlines, a select few at certain operators earn significantly more, exceeding $100,000 a year.

Breaking Down The Salaries Of A Flight Attendant

Flight attendant pay can vary dramatically between employers in the private aviation world. In some cases, salaries are structured fairly similarly to those that you’ll find at the airlines. However, in other cases, there are significant differences. In some cases flight attendant’s primary source of income is their hourly rate. This rate is usually paid whenever the aircraft is moving, but not for the time while the parking brake is off and the aircraft’s engines are off.

Some companies may pay their employees by the day, while others may give a yearly salary. The airline world, in contrast, typically pays by the hour. In addition, flight attendants in both segments of aviation are often paid per diem, which is paid per hour to cover layover expenses. While the hourly rate is quite low, typically ranging from $2 to $4, it adds up and is a meaningful source of income, even if it’s not a flight attendant’s primary income source. There are other forms of compensation, too.

Many employees in private aviation provide health insurance, just like at the airlines. Some operators will offer paid training with paid accommodations, and uniforms are often (but not always) provided by your employer. An airline may also offer commissions for credit card sign-ups, as well as the opportunity to advance into the purser/in-flight manager position. These opportunities are not present in private aviation, and as such, there are not only fewer advancement opportunities, but fewer opportunities for pay boosts as well.

How The Job Of A Corporate Flight Attendant Differs From The Airlines

The job of a flight attendant is fairly well known. Cabin crew serve meals and drinks, handle flight disruptions, and perform safety duties as well as emergency functions. A flight attendant working in private aviation, however, is trained to focus much more on hospitality, given the clientele that they’re serving. Those working for a charter company may receive extensive training on how to best care for ultra-wealthy guests, including wine selections and interacting with pets, among other unique duties.

However, while the idea of working as a private jet pilot may seem prestigious, the actual job itself involves several duties that are far from glamorous. At many airlines, cleaning crews ensure that the cabin is sanitary and presentable for the aircraft’s next flight. On business jets, it’s the job of the flight attendant. Passenger bags on a commercial aircraft are loaded by ground crews, whereas it’s the job of the flight attendant on a private plane. Meal preparation is also the responsibility of a flight attendant on a business jet, whereas cabin crew only have to heat meals on commercial aircraft.

If you’re working for a charter company, the experience isn’t significant compared to working for an airline. However, working for an individual comes with its own host of challenges, including the fact that your duties are entirely up to the preferences of the aircraft’s passengers. In addition, schedules can be demanding, as flight attendants have to spend a large part of their lives on call. The standards and expectations are also extremely high. These challenges are the main reason why the private aviation industry generally pays flight attendants higher salaries.

What About The Pilots Of Private Jets?

Unlike flight attendants, pilots are required to be present on private jets. However, very light jets and some light jets are certified for single-pilot operations. This essentially allows qualified owners of these planes to pilot the aircraft themselves or for operators to significantly cut down on crew costs. However, single-pilot operations also result in higher insurance rates due to the added risk. This partially offsets the cost savings from only employing one pilot.

While a pilot’s responsibilities in-flight are essentially the same as always, there are differences on the ground. Mainly, if a flight attendant isn’t present, then it’s the pilot’s job to load and unload bags. Depending on the operator, pilots may also be responsible for cleaning the aircraft after the flight. For longer flights, meanwhile, pilots typically receive access to rest facilities, which are often not provided for cabin crew.

Pilot pay structure is generally similar to that for flight attendants. Most flight crews are paid per hour, from the time the parking brakes are released. Some companies pay a daily, monthly, or yearly salary, and pilots are also typically on call. However, pay is significantly higher, matching many US airlines. The actual salaries for pilots are also similar to those of US carriers, although they can be less than what pilots are now making at the three US legacy carriers.