Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant: Salary, Hiring Process & Bases

Want to work as a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines? This guide covers everything, including salary, requirements, hiring process, training, and base locations.

Quick summary

Alaska Airlines hires flight attendants with at least two years of customer service experience, a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to reach 80 inches while on tiptoes. Pay starts at $24.95 per hour, with annual earnings ranging from $51,000 to over $100,000, plus travel perks, health benefits, 401(k) matching, and bonuses. Training lasts six weeks in Seattle and is unpaid, after which new hires start on reserve status with on-call shifts at one of six bases, including Seattle, Los Angeles, and Anchorage.

How to become an Alaska Airlines flight attendant (Requirements & qualifications)

To become an Alaska Airlines flight attendant, you need to meet these requirements:

• Minimum age: 21 years old
• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Customer service experience: At least two years required
• Height & reach: Must reach 80 vertical inches (with shoes or tiptoes)
• Swimming ability: Comfortable in water with a life vest during emergency training
• Physical fitness: Able to lift up to 35 lbs, push/pull service carts, and stand for long periods
• Appearance: Must follow uniform and tattoo policies (details below)
• Relocation: Must be willing to relocate to one of the Alaska Airlines flight attendant bases
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Passport: Required for international travel

Related: Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Recruitment Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Where are Alaska Airlines flight attendant bases located? (Best base for new hires)

Alaska Airlines has six flight attendant bases:

• Seattle (SEA)
• Portland (PDX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• San Diego (SAN)
• Anchorage (ANC)

Best base for new hires? Seattle (SEA) usually has the most open positions.

Alaska Airlines flight attendant hiring process: Step-by-step guide

The hiring process involves five stages:

Step 1 – Online application

📌 Where to apply: Alaska Airlines Careers Page
📌 What to include:

• Strong resume & cover letter
• Highlight customer service experience
• Emphasise teamwork and problem-solving skills

Step 2 – Online screening

You’ll complete an online assessment testing customer service and communication skills.

Step 3 – Interview process

• Group interview: You’ll participate in discussions and teamwork scenarios.
• One-on-one interview: Expect behavioural questions like:
  • “Describe a time you handled a difficult customer.”
  • “Why do you want to work for Alaska Airlines?”

Step 4 – Flight attendant training

📍 Location: Seattle, WA

📆 Duration: 6 weeks (unpaid)

📌 What you’ll learn:

• Safety procedures & emergency training
• First aid & firefighting drills
• Alaska Airlines service standards

Step 5: Reserve status

• New hires start on reserve status (on-call shifts, no fixed schedule).
• Duration varies by base and seniority.

Alaska Airlines flight attendant salary: Pay, bonuses & per diem explained

• Paid per flight hour (not ground time).
• Additional pay for per diem, bonuses, and profit sharing.

Alaska Airlines flight attendant benefits: Travel perks & health coverage

Alaska Airlines flight attendants receive:

• Travel perks – Free standby travel on Alaska Airlines + Oneworld partners
• Health coverage – Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan – With company matching
• Paid time off – Vacation, sick leave, parental leave
• Bonuses & profit sharing – Quarterly and yearly bonuses
• Employee discounts – Hotels, rental cars, and partner airlines

Alaska Airlines uniform & tattoo rules: What you can & can’t wear

Uniform guidelines

• Designed by Luly Yang, featuring Tropical Green & Breeze Blue.
• Gender-inclusive uniform options allow flexibility in hairstyles, makeup, and nail polish.

Tattoo policy

✔️ Allowed:

• One small tattoo per hand (quarter-sized or smaller).
• Tattoos on arms & legs (must be credit card-sized or smaller).

❌ Not allowed:

• Face, front of neck, or chest tattoos.
• Large visible tattoos (must be covered).
• Tattoos behind the ears or back of the neck (if visible when looking directly at you).

What happens after you get hired as an Alaska Airlines flight attendant?

Training in Seattle

• 6 weeks of unpaid training covering:
  • Safety & emergency procedures
  • First aid & firefighting drills
  • Customer service & cultural awareness
• Final exam: Pass or fail out of training.

Life as a flight attendant

• Start on reserve (on-call shifts, no fixed schedule).
• Perks: Free flights, priority standby, and profit-sharing bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines?

You need to be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and two years of customer service experience. The hiring process includes an online application, virtual assessment, interview, and a six-week unpaid training program in Seattle.

Does Alaska Airlines require flight attendants to relocate?

Yes, all new flight attendants must be willing to relocate to one of six Alaska Airlines crew bases, including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, or Anchorage.

How much does an Alaska Airlines flight attendant make per year?

Starting flight attendants earn $24.95 per hour, with first-year total earnings around $51,000 to $55,000, including per diem and bonuses. With seniority, pay increases to $40–$50+ per hour, with experienced crew making over $100,000 per year.

Is Alaska Airlines flight attendant training paid?

No, the six-week training program in Seattle is unpaid. You must cover your own accommodation, food, and expenses during this time.

How long do new Alaska Airlines flight attendants stay on reserve?

Reserve status length depends on base seniority and can range from a few months to over a year. Reserve flight attendants are on on-call shifts and must be available at short notice.

Can Alaska Airlines flight attendants have tattoos?

Yes, but tattoos must not be visible on the face, front of the neck, or chest. One small tattoo per hand is allowed, and tattoos on arms and legs must be credit card-sized or smaller.

What is the best base for new Alaska Airlines flight attendants?

Seattle (SEA) is usually the best base for faster promotions and seniority growth, as it has the most flight routes and crew openings.

What benefits do Alaska Airlines flight attendants receive?

Flight attendants get free standby travel, medical and dental insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, performance bonuses, and discounts on hotels and rental cars.

How many hours do Alaska Airlines flight attendants work per month?

Schedules vary, but most flight attendants work between 75 and 100 flight hours per month, plus additional reserve duty and standby shifts.

Does Alaska Airlines hire flight attendants with no experience?

Yes, but you must have at least two years of customer service experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to handle emergencies and work long shifts.