When people imagine working as flight attendants—sometimes called air hostesses or stewardesses—the lifestyle sounds glamorous. Traveling to new places, enjoying hotel stays, and meeting people every day has a strong appeal. But sooner or later, the real question appears: what is the average salary of flight attendant in the UK?
The answer is clear. The average sits at £24,000–£25,000 base pay, with total yearly income usually landing between £26,000–£32,000 after extras. This figure is consistent with what you’ll often see on salary pages for British Airways cabin crew salary and other UK airlines.
But the story doesn’t end there. Base pay is just one part. Flight duty pay, per diems, allowances, and lifestyle perks all add up to create a package that is much richer than the headline number.
TL;DR — Cabin Crew Salary Snapshot
- Average base pay in the UK: £24k–£25k
- Starter salary: around £19k for new recruits
- Experienced crew base: £26k–£28k
- Realistic total income: £26k–£32k with extras
- London average: about £25.5k due to more long-haul
That’s the quick overview. To really understand how pay works, let’s break it down.
How Cabin Crew Pay Works
Cabin crew salaries aren’t just a single figure. They are built from several parts:
- Base pay: the guaranteed monthly salary, which is stable but modest.
- Flight duty pay: extra money added for each sector or hour you fly.
- Per diems: daily allowances for food and living costs while away.
- Allowances: bonuses for long-haul routes, languages, or extra duties.
This layered system explains why one crew member may earn thousands more than another, even though they both hold the same job title.
Tip: Experienced crew members who fly more long-haul routes often earn hundreds of pounds extra each month. If you plan your roster wisely, your earnings can grow without needing a promotion.
Why Your Roster Shapes Your Pay
The roster—the monthly schedule—matters more than anything else.
On short-haul, you might fly four sectors in one day, building up duty pay quickly. However, you sleep at home, so you don’t receive many per diems.
On long-haul, the pattern looks very different. A single trip may last three or four days, with overnights abroad. That means fewer flights but higher per diems. Long-haul crew also benefit from layover allowances, which boost totals further.
This is why two people with the same role and base salary can end the year with very different incomes.
Average Salary of Flight Attendant in the UK
Across the country, the average base is £24,000–£25,000. New starters begin closer to £19,000, while experienced crew climb to £28,000.
When extras are included, yearly totals rise to £26,000–£32,000. That explains why questions like “how much does an air hostess earn” or “how much does a BA flight attendant earn” often get ranges instead of one single number.
Hidden Earnings Most People Overlook
Beyond the obvious numbers, there are extra ways to increase earnings:
- Onboard sales commissions add a steady monthly boost.
- Special duty bonuses exist for late-night sectors, holidays, or training sessions.
- Standby call-outs sometimes pay more if you fill in at short notice.
These additions can increase a British Airways stewardess salary or BA cabin crew wages by several thousand pounds per year.
British Airways Cabin Crew Salary
British Airways air hostess salary queries are among the most searched online. That’s because BA is the UK’s largest airline and offers clear career paths.
BA crew pay includes:
- Basic salary (around £22k to start)
- Flight duty pay for every sector flown
- Per diems for meals abroad
- Other allowances depending on route or base
Heathrow vs Gatwick vs Cityflyer
- Heathrow crew fly long-haul more often. Their salary of cabin crew in British Airways at this base is higher thanks to overnight stays and large per diems.
- Gatwick crew handle short-haul, which means more duty pay but fewer per diems. Their BA cabin crew pay is steadier but a little lower.
- Cityflyer crew focus on business routes. The BA cabin staff salaries here reflect shorter flights and fewer layovers.
By‑Airline Comparison: Real UK Cabin Crew Pay, Explained
Here’s an expanded, up-to-date snapshot of how different carriers stack up for UK flight attendants—base pay, perks, lifestyle rhythms, and year-end totals.
British Airways
- Base: Around £22,000.
- Extras: Long-haul per diems, layover allowances, progression bumps.
- Reality check: If you fly a healthy mix of long-haul and some short sectors, it’s normal to hit £28k–£30k and sometimes more.
- Why it matters: That’s why searches like “how much do British Airways cabin crew earn” persist—BA may not top the pay charts on base alone, but long-term lifestyle and progression make it one of the most appealing packages.
Jet2.com
- Base: Approximately £25,000, one of the highest entry bases in the UK sector.
- Pros: High home-base appeal, concentrated routes, strong seasonal demand.
- Cons: Seasonal workload can get intense in summer, with quieter winters.
- Typical total: With commissions and busy seasons, crew can see totals in the high £20s to low £30s—great for planning time off around holidays.
Virgin Atlantic
- Base: Near £19,500.
- Extras: Flight duty pay, commission on premium services, attractive long-haul destinations like LA, Hong Kong, etc.
- Vibe: More “glamorous” roster—nighttime hookups in the U.S., club invites, free upgrades on your own travel.
- Total potential: £26k–£30k depending on how often you fly, plus the intangible “crew lifestyle bonus.”
Ryanair
- Base: Around £19,500.
- Routine: Packed short-haul sectors, especially at bigger bases (Stansted, Luton, Leeds).
- Advantage: Lots of flying = plenty of flight duty pay.
- Annual income: £24k–£28k isn’t unusual in a busy year.
- Caveat: It can be a grind—lots of early mornings and tight turnarounds.
easyJet
- Base: Low £20,000s.
- Extras: Strong flight duty pay, commission on ancillaries, part of the easyJet Group travel perks.
- Work culture: Fast-paced, urban commuting-friendly; most crews are home daily—even in a high-flying job.
- Total: Many crew land in the £26k–£29k range by year’s end.
TUI Airways
- Base: Mid £20,000s.
- Flight pattern: Block summer European heat routes, winter holiday packages; roster stability is a plus.
- Extras: Night-stay per diems, occasional charter bonuses.
- Typical total: £28k–£32k in peak seasons—great for crew who enjoy seasonal balance and steady work.
Loganair (regional focus)
- Base: Around £22,000.
- Operations: Short, frequent sectors—think Scotland, Northern Isles, fast aircraft turnarounds.
- Perks: Great for people who prefer home-layover routines and local flights.
- Annual pay: Totals around £24k–£26k with duty pay stacking quickly.
Why These Comparisons Matter
Seeing the pay side-by-side helps illustrate how each airline delivers a unique mix:
- Jet2 stands out for a high base pay and seasonal predictability.
- BA balances airtime, leaves, and progression.
- Virgin appeals through route glamour and perks.
- Ryanair and easyJet offer straightforward, consistent flying—ideal for crew prioritising hourly value.
- TUI blends holiday schedules with steady year-round work.
- Loganair suits those who value locality and commuter lifestyle.
If you’re trying to figure out which airline best fits your goals, focus on how each one balances base pay, flying hours, extras, lifestyle fit, and commuting or living cost—all of which shape how much you’ll truly take home.
Life on Short-Haul vs Long-Haul
Scenario A: New short-haul crew. A trainee with a base of £20k–£22k flies multiple European flights a day. Duty pay adds extra. By year’s end, her income is £25k–£27k.
Scenario B: Experienced long-haul crew. With a £24k base, plus frequent transatlantic trips, allowances push his total to £30k–£32k. This is why the British Airways salary flight attendant discussions highlight Heathrow long-haul.
Lifestyle Costs vs Salary
While pay looks attractive, location affects how much you actually keep.
- London-based crew earn more but also face higher living costs.
- Regional crew might earn less but benefit from cheaper rents and shorter commutes.
This balance matters when deciding whether a cabin crew BA salary suits your lifestyle.
Career Progression and Pay Growth
Crew careers grow over time:
- Trainee cabin crew: around £19k–£20k
- Cabin crew: £22k–£25k
- Senior crew: £28k–£30k
- Purser / Cabin manager: well into the £30ks
- Office or training roles: even higher
Choosing to aim for senior or specialist roles can add £5k–£10k annually to your salary cabin crew British Airways package.
Benefits Beyond the Paycheck
Perks make a big difference:
- Staff travel: Families can fly abroad for a fraction of the cost.
- Hotels covered: Crew stay in comfortable hotels during layovers.
- Pensions: Employers often match contributions.
- Discounts: Savings on shopping, tech, and services.
These extras often make a British Airways steward salary feel much higher than the base suggests.
FAQs About Average Salary of Flight Attendant
How much does a BA air hostess earn per year?
- Around £22k base, but totals reach £28k–£30k.
What is the British Airways cabin crew salary per month?
- Roughly £2,200 base, but many crew take home closer to £2,500–£2,700 thanks to duty pay and per diems.
What are the air hostess requirements British Airways sets?
- Applicants must meet height, fitness, and language standards.
Do BA crew earn more during disruptions?
- Yes. During events like a Heathrow closure, British Airways crew overtime Heathrow closure arrangements often boost pay.
Final Thoughts
The average salary of flight attendant in the UK in 2025 is around £24k–£25k base, but the real total is higher once extras are included. At BA, pay starts in the low £20ks, but with allowances, many reach £28k–£30k. Add in travel perks, discounts, and pensions, and the BA cabin crew pay package becomes one of the most rewarding in the industry.
If learning about the average salary of flight attendant in the UK has inspired you to take the next step, now’s your chance.
Join the Air Cabin Crew Online Diploma Course at School of Health Care and gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge to land your dream role in the skies.
