How Much Do Delta Flight Attendants Make?

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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How 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 

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.

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