Let’s get straight to the point – most flight attendants don’t get paid during boarding.
They’re there, greeting passengers, helping with luggage, dealing with last-minute chaos, and keeping an eye on safety risks. But until the aircraft door closes? Many airlines don’t compensate this time at the full hourly rate.
Passengers assume flight attendants are earning money from the moment they step on board. After all, they’re working, right? But airline pay structures have traditionally focused on flight time, leaving boarding as a gray area for pay.
Some airlines have finally started paying for boarding, while others have yet to follow. Let’s break down who pays, who doesn’t, and why this outdated practice still exists.
How are flight attendants paid? The hidden structure explained
Unlike most jobs, flight attendants don’t earn a fixed salary. Instead, their pay is based on:
- Hourly flight pay – Their main wage, but it only starts when the aircraft doors close.
- Per diem – A small allowance (usually $2–$3 per hour) for meals and expenses, not full compensation.
- Duty period pay – Some airlines pay for all hours worked, but many don’t.
- Bonuses & incentives – Extra pay for holidays, language skills, or premium routes.
Here’s the problem: boarding is real work, but not all airlines count it as paid time. Flight attendants handle overhead bins, passenger issues, gate coordination, and safety monitoring – all before their full hourly pay begins.
Over multiple flights a day, this adds up to hours of underpaid work.
Which airlines pay for boarding – and which still don’t?
Some airlines have updated their pay policies, but others still follow the traditional model.
✅ Airlines that pay for boarding (fully or partially)
- Delta Air Lines (USA) – Pays 50% of the hourly rate during boarding since 2022.
- WestJet (Canada) – Pays for duty hours, including boarding.
- Air France (France) – Full pay from check-in to sign-off.
- Lufthansa (Germany) – Includes boarding in duty pay.
- Qatar Airways (Qatar) – Pay starts from the moment crew report for duty.
- Emirates (UAE) – Same as Qatar – boarding is paid work.
- Singapore Airlines (Singapore) – No unpaid time – full pay from start to finish.
❌ Airlines that do NOT pay for boarding (or pay very little)
- American Airlines (USA) – No separate boarding pay. Hourly rate starts when doors close.
- United Airlines (USA) – Follows the traditional U.S. pay model – boarding is not separately compensated.
- Southwest Airlines (USA) – Flight pay starts at pushback, not during boarding.
- JetBlue (USA) – No official boarding pay, only per diem.
- Spirit & Frontier Airlines (USA) – Ultra-low-cost carriers, ultra-low compensation. No full boarding pay.
- Ryanair (Europe) – No clear boarding pay. Fixed contracts mean pay structures vary.
For U.S. flight attendants, unless you’re flying for Delta, boarding is still an unpaid or underpaid period.
What do flight attendants do during boarding? More than you think
Passengers might see flight attendants as just “welcoming” people onboard, but here’s what they’re actually doing – often without their full pay rate:
- Managing overhead bin space and heavy luggage disputes.
- Assisting families, elderly passengers, and those with special needs.
- Handling last-minute seat changes and gate issues.
- Watching for suspicious behaviour or intoxicated passengers.
- Making announcements and coordinating with ground staff.
- Ensuring boarding stays on schedule.
Every flight. Every day. And yet, on most U.S. airlines, this is either unpaid or underpaid time.
Why don’t all airlines pay for boarding?
If Delta can pay for boarding, why don’t American, United, and Southwest follow?
Reason #1: “It’s always been this way”
🚫 Translation: “This is how airline pay has worked for decades.”
✅ Reality: Airlines in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East pay for boarding – so change is possible.
Reason #2: “Per diem covers it”
🚫 Translation: “We provide a small extra allowance, so it balances out.”
✅ Reality: Per diem is meant for expenses, not actual compensation. It’s usually $2–$3 per hour, far below the flight pay rate.
Reason #3: “It would increase costs”
🚫 Translation: “Boarding pay would add to operational expenses.”
✅ Reality: Delta’s decision to pay for boarding shows it can be done. Other airlines could follow if they prioritized fair pay structures.
This isn’t about whether airlines can afford it – it’s about whether they choose to prioritize it.
What this means for flight attendants (and why it matters)
- 30–50 minutes of unpaid work per flight.
- Multiple flights a day = hours of underpaid work.
- Morale suffers – why work hard during boarding if it’s not fully paid?
Many flight attendants are quitting or switching to airlines that pay fairly. Others are pushing unions to advocate for better contracts.
Will airlines ever pay for boarding? Here’s what could happen
Airlines tend to move slowly on pay issues unless there’s pressure.
Delta only started paying for boarding because they needed to attract new hires. Other U.S. airlines haven’t made changes yet, but as flight attendants push for fairer contracts, the conversation is evolving.
What could drive change?
- Unions advocating for full boarding pay.
- Increased public awareness about the issue.
- More airlines choosing to update their pay structures.
When enough flight attendants say “Boarding is work and should be paid accordingly,” airlines will have to listen.
Can passengers help? Here’s what you can do
Most travellers have no idea that flight attendants aren’t fully paid during boarding. Now that you do, here’s how you can help:
- Be patient during boarding. Your crew might not be on full pay yet.
- Follow carry-on rules. Less chaos means less unpaid work for flight attendants.
- Support fair pay. If flight attendants are advocating for better conditions, understanding their side helps.
Next time you fly, keep this in mind
- That flight attendant helping you stow your bag? They might not be getting full pay.
- The one keeping order during a chaotic boarding? Likely underpaid for that time.
- Your safety is their responsibility – whether they’re on the clock or not.
Some airlines are making progress, but many still have room to improve. The more awareness there is, the harder it is for this issue to be ignored.
So next time you fly, remember: boarding isn’t just a transition period – it’s work. And work deserves fair pay.
What do you think? Should airlines start paying flight attendants during boarding?