Summary
- Private jet flight attendants earn more than commercial crew due to their experience and higher level of responsibility. Basic salary ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 per month, with experienced attendants earning additional income through freelancing.
- The amount varies depending on the operator and the cost of living in the city visited.
- Private jet crew have a more unpredictable schedule compared to commercial cabin crew.
Working on a private jet as a flight attendant is very different from the role of commercial cabin crew. Likewise, the schedule is very different as is the salary structure. Here we look in more detail at the difference.
Commercial cabin crew
A basic breakdown of cabin crew salary is basic pay, plus flying pay plus an allowance for any overnight stays. There will also be commission payments and additional items such as a language payment. The schedule is rostered six weeks in advance, so you know exactly what trips you have coming up and the details of any standby duty. Salaries range from $750 dollars a month up to $3,000, depending on the airline (based on salary in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East).
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Private jet salary
Private jet flight attendants generally earn more than commercial crew as it's seen to be the next level up, and the crew member should have more experience behind them. The basic salary is usually between $2500 and $5000 per month. Experienced flight attendants can earn more, especially if they freelance on their days off, and can average an extra $500 a day. However, some countries in Europe pay less for the basic salary, between $600 and $1,200, depending on the operation and cost of living.
Per diem
Per diems are paid in addition to basic salary. These are payments made for meals, and each night you are away from the base. Some operators have a fixed per diem that you receive every night away. Other operators base the amount of per diem paid on the cost of living in the city visited, so for a Cairo stop, you'd be paid a lot less than New York. Some operators will pay per diem if you are in training, away from the base. Others may pay a half payment or none at all. Per diems are usually paid in the following month's salary.
Schedule
There is no roster or schedule for private jet crew. It's very much on demand, last minute, and you are never really sure where you are going and for how long. It is very changeable. Most private jet flight attendants are on 'rotation,' meaning that they are on duty for a set time but also on standby. For example, in the UK and Europe, you can have two weeks on and two weeks off rotation or one month on, one month off. Some operators offer 20 days on, 10 days off. However, in Saudi Arabia, it tends to be 2 months on, and one month off. During your time on duty, you can fly anytime to anywhere.
Other items
Whilst on flying duty, hotel and accommodation costs are paid for by the company. Sometimes, dry cleaning costs are covered for your uniform. Most operators will pay for one pair of crew shoes and one bag (within a price bracket) in addition to the cost of the uniform. Suitcases are not usually covered. Some private operators who operate single-crew aircraft, do not have uniforms at all for their flight attendants, and you have to provide your own.