The salary of cabin crew in British Airways in 2025 is better than many expect. New joiners typically earn £21,000–£25,000 in their first year. With a few years’ experience, the average rises to £28,000–£35,000, while senior crew on long-haul flights can pass £50,000. Add in generous tax-free allowances, discounted flights for family, pensions, and a brand-new profit-sharing scheme, and you see why BA remains one of the most desirable airlines to work for in the UK.
But pay is only half the story. Life as BA crew means waking up in Tokyo, sipping coffee in Rome before a flight, or exploring Miami after landing. The money is important, but so is the lifestyle. That’s why the salary of cabin crew in British Airways appeals to so many young people: it blends income with adventure.
How British Airways Cabin Crew Pay Works
When people Google “British Airways hostess salary” or “BA cabin staff salaries,” they often expect one flat number. But cabin crew pay works more like a package with layers.
- Base Pay: This is the fixed part of the salary. In 2025, it starts at around £16,800 for new crew. It’s steady, but not the whole story.
- Flight Pay: Extra pay for every hour in the air. If you fly more, you earn more. A long-haul flight to Los Angeles pays more than a short trip to Paris.
- Allowances: When you stay abroad, BA pays you a daily allowance, tax-free. This covers meals and other costs, but most crew see it as extra pocket money. On a three-night New York trip, allowances can be several hundred pounds.
- Bonuses: In 2025, all crew got a £1,000 bonus. For the first time, they also joined a profit-sharing scheme. If BA performs well, crew can earn up to 4% of their salary as a bonus.
- Commission: On short-haul flights, crew earn a small commission on onboard sales of food, drinks, and duty-free goods.
- Perks: This includes discounted flights, pensions, healthcare, and lifestyle discounts.
Imagine two crew members: one flies mostly short-haul from Gatwick, returning home most nights. Their total pay might be around £22,000. Another is based at Heathrow and flies long-haul to Asia and America. Their allowances boost their income to £28,000 or more. That’s why crew say pay depends on your roster and routes, not just your base salary.
Starting Pay for British Airways Cabin Crew in 2025
So, what’s the starting salary for British Airways cabin crew? In 2025, it’s around £21,000–£25,000, depending on where you are based and what flights you get.
- At Heathrow, long-haul routes mean higher allowances, so new joiners often hit £25,000 in year one.
- At Gatwick, short-haul Euroflyer flights keep pay closer to £21,000–£23,000.
- In London City, the base salary is similar, but a London weighting pushes first-year totals to £21,000–£27,000.
It’s important to note that training is paid too. During the first weeks of training, crew earn a reduced rate, but once they start flying, the allowances and extras kick in quickly. By the end of year one, most cabin crew feel they’re earning a fair package, especially compared to other UK airlines.
Average Salary for British Airways Cabin Crew
The average salary for British Airways cabin crew in 2025 sits between £22,000 and £28,000. But averages hide variety. A Heathrow-based crew member flying lots of long-haul could take home more, while a Gatwick short-haul crew might sit at the lower end.
Let’s compare BA to others. EasyJet crew usually earn £20,000–£24,000. Ryanair averages £22,000–£25,000. Virgin Atlantic long-haul staff earn around £25,000–£32,000. That places BA comfortably in the upper-middle range of UK airline pay. Add travel perks and pensions, and BA’s total package becomes very competitive.
This is why the salary BA cabin crew receive attracts so many applicants each year. The balance of steady income and benefits makes BA one of the top choices in Europe.
Experienced and Senior Crew Salaries
With time, pay rises significantly. After a few years, most crew make between £28,000 and £35,000. But the real jump comes with promotion.
- Senior Cabin Crew (Purser): These leaders guide part of the cabin, manage staff, and deal with tricky situations. They earn £35,000–£45,000.
- Inflight Managers: These oversee the entire cabin team, sometimes 20+ crew on a large aircraft like the A380. Their pay runs £45,000–£55,000.
This British Airways steward salary at senior levels makes cabin crew careers long-term viable, not just starter jobs. Many crew stay for decades, moving into training, management, or even transitioning to pilot training.
Short-Haul vs Long-Haul: Which Pays More?
Here’s where comparisons matter most.
- Short-Haul Crew (Gatwick Euroflyer): Base pay is about £17,500, with total first-year earnings up to £25,000. They work early mornings and late nights but sleep at home most nights. Their allowances are small, but they earn commission from onboard sales.
- Long-Haul Crew (Heathrow Mainline): Base pay starts at £16,800, but allowances push totals to £21,000–£30,000+. They spend more nights away, but those hotel stays in New York, Miami, or Cape Town add big value. Layovers also mean higher tax-free pay.
- London City Crew (Cityflyer): With weighting, totals reach £21,000–£27,000. Flights are frequent but short. Many crew like the fast pace and city lifestyle.
Imagine two days in the life. A short-haul Gatwick crew member leaves home at 4am, flies to Barcelona, returns by afternoon, and spends the evening with family. A long-haul Heathrow crew member departs at midday for Los Angeles, spends two nights in California with allowances paid, and flies back. Both lifestyles have charm, but long-haul usually pays more.
2025 Pay Rise, Bonus, and Profit Share
2025 was a turning point. After union talks, BA announced:
- A 4.5% pay rise, already applied to salaries.
- A guaranteed £1,000 cash bonus.
- A profit-sharing scheme, giving cabin crew up to 4% of their salary if BA posts profits.
For example, someone earning £25,000 could get £1,000 in profit share plus the £1,000 bonus. That’s £2,000 extra in one year — nearly two extra months of pay. Crew celebrated the change, as it brought them in line with pilots and managers who already had profit share.
Travel Perks and Benefits
The British Airways hostess salary is just one part. The perks are priceless:
- Staff Travel: Standby flights for crew, family, and friends at massive discounts. Many crew fly to New York for under £100.
- Hotels Abroad: Long-haul means free hotel nights in global cities, often in high-end chains.
- Pensions: BA matches contributions up to 7%, building long-term security.
- Healthcare: Options for private medical cover.
- Extras: Lifestyle discounts, tech schemes, and wellness benefits.
Many crew say these perks are worth thousands a year. Some value them more than the cash salary. After all, how many jobs let you take your family on holiday flights for a fraction of the cost?
Lifestyle: Short-Haul vs Long-Haul Living
Short-haul life gives routine. Crew start early, fly two or three sectors, and come home the same day. They enjoy family dinners, regular sleep, and fewer jet lag issues. But the work can feel repetitive.
Long-haul life is adventurous. Crew wake up in Tokyo, explore Miami, or watch sunsets in Cape Town. They earn higher allowances, but they miss birthdays and sometimes live out of a suitcase. The salary BA cabin crew receive reflects this trade-off. Many crew switch between fleets during their career to balance home life with adventure.
How British Airways Cabin Crew Salary Compares with Other UK Airlines
People often ask how the salary of cabin crew in British Airways compares to other airlines in the UK. Let’s look at Virgin Atlantic, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin’s pay sits close to BA. A new crew member starts around £21,000–£25,000, with allowances adding another £6,000–£10,000 depending on routes. That makes many Virgin crew take home around £30,000–£38,000 after a couple of years. Virgin’s culture feels vibrant, though its network isn’t as wide as BA’s.
easyJet
easyJet focuses on short-haul routes across Europe. Starting pay is £18,000–£22,000, rising to £24,000–£28,000 with extras. The pay is lower than BA’s, but the trade-off is balance. Crew are home most nights, which appeals to those wanting routine.
Ryanair
Ryanair crew start at about £19,000–£23,000. They earn some commission from onboard sales, but perks are limited compared to BA. Promotions can happen quickly, but the overall package feels leaner. Ryanair appeals most to those who want fast entry into flying and don’t mind fewer extras.
Jet2
Jet2 specialises in holiday flights. Pay averages around £23,000 a year. During busy summer months, crew can earn more, but off-season work is lighter. Jet2 roles often suit people who enjoy seasonal flying and leisure routes.
TUI
TUI crew earn around £21,500. Some long-haul charter flights bring in extra, but overall pay remains below BA’s. TUI attracts those who enjoy the relaxed holiday vibe and destinations, even if the salary isn’t as high.
Why BA Stands Out
British Airways sits in the upper-middle of UK airlines for pay. It doesn’t always beat Virgin on allowances, but it offers a bigger network and clearer promotion paths. Compared to easyJet and Ryanair, BA’s perks and long-haul potential make the package much richer. Against Jet2 and TUI, BA wins on both pay scale and career growth.
That’s why so many crew choose BA. It blends good pay, global routes, and strong benefits into a career that lasts.
Career Growth at British Airways
BA offers clear paths for growth.
- Cabin Crew: Entry-level, earning £21,000–£25,000 in year one.
- Senior Cabin Crew / Purser: Leading a section of the cabin, £35,000–£45,000.
- Inflight Manager: Managing the full crew, £45,000–£55,000.
With leadership roles, you gain new skills in people management, safety, and customer service. Some crew even move into ground-based management or training. Others use their career as a stepping stone into pilot training. It’s a career that can grow with you.
Recap: Salary of Cabin Crew in British Airways 2025
Here’s the big picture:
- Starting salary: £21,000–£25,000.
- Average salary: £22,000–£28,000.
- Experienced crew: £28,000–£35,000.
- Senior crew: £40,000–£55,000.
- 2025 updates: 4.5% raise, £1,000 bonus, profit share added.
- Perks: Travel discounts, hotels abroad, pensions, and healthcare.
- Lifestyle: Short-haul = home more, long-haul = more money and adventure.
The air hostess salary British Airways offers stands out because it combines cash with priceless perks.
Conclusion
The salary of cabin crew in British Airways in 2025 is more than a paycheck. With total annual earnings averaging £28,000–£35,000, travel perks worth thousands, and adventures across the globe, it’s a career that pays in money and memories. Imagine telling friends you spent last week in Miami and next week you’re off to Tokyo. For UK jobseekers who dream of travel and stability, BA is a perfect place to start.
Ready to begin your own journey? Enrol in our Air Cabin Crew Online Diploma Course at School of Health Care. Learn the skills, gain the confidence, and prepare for interviews with British Airways and other top airlines. Your dream of flying the world starts here.
