Seniority Pay

Senior Flight Attendants at US Carriers Surpass $100K Annually with New Pay Deals

Flight Attendant pay in 2026 varies widely by rank, seniority, the region, and carrier, but the top of the ladder is where the real money is. At major US airlines, entry-level cabin crew typically start around $25–$40 per hour, while senior international flight attendants can push base earnings toward $90,000 and beyond once premiums, per diems, and international layover pay are factored in. Seniority is key at all airlines, which usually sees an annual increase in salary and more pay as crew move up the ranks.