Frequently asked questions.

To view the status of your application, please visit jobs.aa.com and log into your candidate profile, where you'll see the most up-to-date information. You'll also receive email updates at the address listed in your profile as your status changes.

Due to high interest in the flight attendant trainee role, it may take some time to receive an update. Our Inflight Recruitment team will contact you by email with next steps as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience during this time.

The hiring process includes several steps, and moving forward depends on successfully meeting the requirements at each stage. The typical process includes:

• Submitting your application through our careers site
• Completing an assessment to evaluate your qualifications
• Participating in an online, self-recorded video interview
• Connecting with a recruiter to discuss what makes you a strong fit for the role
• Attending an in-person interview with our hiring team
• Completing pre-employment requirements, which may include a drug screen, background check, verification of two years of employment history and fingerprinting

Candidates must wait six months from the date of their last communication before reapplying and being considered for this position again.

As you prepare to join us in Dallas-Fort Worth for your in-person interview, please keep the following in mind.

Dress code: Professional business attire is required.

• Men: Suit with a tie, paired with polished, closed-toe dress shoes.
• Women: Pant or skirt business suit, or professional dress. Dresses and skirts should be knee-length or longer, paired with closed-toe dress shoes (moderate heels or flats are appropriate).

Appearance:

• Hair should be neatly styled; if it falls below the shoulders, it must be secured.
• Facial hair should be trimmed and well maintained.
• No visible tattoos or body art.
• No ear gauges or more than one (1) earring per ear lobe.
• No facial piercings or decorative dental embellishments.

Be prepared to present your most professional self, reflecting how you would represent American.

Please bring all required documentation, including:

• A valid passport (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• An additional form of identification (such as a driver's license, Social Security card or birth certificate)
• An updated resume

American does not provide hotel accommodations for the in-person interview. If you reside more than two hours from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we will provide flight arrangements to the in-person interview.

• Boston (BOS)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – also covers Ontario (ONT), Burbank (BUR) and Orange County (SNA)
• Miami (MIA) – also covers Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami-area airports
• New York (LGA) – also covers John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark (EWR)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Washington, D.C. (DCA) – also covers Dulles (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington (BWI)

Your base is assigned during the third week of training. While we consider your preferences, they cannot be guaranteed. Base assignments are determined based on class seniority, availability and operational needs. This approach helps ensure you are placed where support is most needed, while still taking your preferences and seniority into account.

Yes, base transfers are possible; however, they are awarded based on seniority and staffing needs at your desired location. Please note: the company does not cover relocation expenses associated with base transfers.

After graduation, new hires may request a one-time base transfer during their six-month probation period. Transfers are processed monthly, based on availability. Transfer bidding opens after graduation, and awards are typically granted up to three months in advance.

• If your preferred base is not awarded, you'll remain on a waitlist until a position becomes available.
• Once awarded, you'll receive explicit instructions on what to expect next and when to report to your new base.

Seniority is your professional ranking at the airline based on your hire date. Once you're hired, your position on the seniority list is established, unless you leave the company and return. Seniority plays an important role in many aspects of your career, including schedule bidding, vacation selection and base transfers. These opportunities are primarily determined by your training class seniority, graduation date and hire date.

• Training class seniority: Initial seniority within your training class is determined by date of birth, from oldest (higher seniority) to youngest (lower seniority).
• Current team members who transfer into the flight attendant role will hold higher seniority than external candidates within the same training class.
• Graduation date (classification/longevity date): This date is used to calculate pay rates and vacation accrual.
• Occupational seniority: Upon graduation, your training class is added to the overall flight attendant seniority list. All class members are placed at the bottom of the list in order of class seniority. Your occupational seniority date is your first day of training and is used for schedule bidding, vacation selection and vacancy awards.

• Yes. All American Airlines flight attendants must have a valid passport before initial training. To interview for the position, your passport must be valid through at least Dec. 31, 2027.
• Passport renewal costs are reimbursable if renewed after initial training.
• You must be able to travel without restrictions to all destinations served by American. If you hold a foreign passport or visa, it is your responsibility to ensure you meet all travel requirements and understand where you are eligible to fly.

• Height minimum: Must be able to reach and remove emergency equipment from overhead bins without assistance.
• Height maximum: Must have adequate head clearance in the cabin.

Visible tattoos are not permitted while in uniform or in training. Acceptable covering options include:

• A uniform item
• Makeup
• Approved jewelry or watches

Note: bandages, see-through gauze, pantyhose or sleeve accessories may not be used to cover tattoos.

Piercings: one earring per ear lobe is allowed; no other visible body piercings are permitted while in uniform.

No. Decorative dental embellishments, including tooth gems, dental jewelry, grills and similar cosmetic adornments, are not permitted while in uniform, during training, or while performing company duties.

Yes, long-sleeved shirt options are available.

No, American does not cover the cost of your new hire uniform and luggage.

• The initial set will be automatically deducted from your paycheck in installments.
• You will also receive a limited annual allotment to replace uniform pieces, based on hours worked.

• Starting pay: $37.91 per flight hour for trainees hired in 2027.
• Per diem: You will be paid for every hour from report to release of a trip to help cover expenses. Current rates are $2.95 per hour for domestic trips and $3.50 per hour for international trips.
• Boarding pay: You receive boarding pay at half of the hourly rate for each flight boarded.

• Flight attendants on reserve are guaranteed 75 flight hours per month at the flight hour pay. Pay is issued semi-monthly, typically on the 15th and 30th of each month, or the nearest business day if those dates fall on a weekend.
• The mid-month paycheck includes 37.5 hours (half of the monthly reserve guarantee), boarding pay, per diem and any earnings. The end-of-month paycheck includes the remaining 37.5 hours of the guarantee.
• Average annual salary: Estimated salary is $34,119 for a new flight attendant, based on the guaranteed minimum of 75 flight hours per month. This estimate does not include additional earnings such as per diem, premium pay (for example, galley and lead positions) or other incentives.

Yes. After you graduate from training, you're eligible for a wide range of benefits designed to support your health, well-being and overall quality of life. Here is a snapshot of what you can expect:

Health and wellness

• Medical insurance: Access to comprehensive medical plans, including options for dental and vision coverage.
• Prescription drug coverage: Benefits to help with the cost of your medications.
• Mental health resources: Access to counseling and mental health support services.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses.
• Maternity and family building support: Up to 10 weeks of paid maternity leave, plus up to $30,000 in reimbursement for eligible adoption and surrogacy expenses.
• Retirement: Participate in our 401(k) plans with company matching contributions.
• Life insurance: Basic life insurance coverage, with options to purchase additional coverage.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance: Additional protection in case of accidents.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance: Optional income protection plans available at new hire benefits enrollment.

Travel privileges

• Free and discounted travel: You and your eligible family members can enjoy free, space-available or reduced-rate fares on domestic American flights. For international travel, applicable taxes and fees apply.
• Interline travel agreements: Discounted standby leisure travel on other airlines through our reciprocal agreements, available after six months and two days of employment with American.

Professional development

• Opportunities for career advancement and skill development. After six months of service, you may be eligible to apply for other positions throughout the company.

Other benefits

• Member Assistance Programs (MAP): Confidential support for both personal and work-related issues.
• Team member discounts: Discounts on a wide range of products and services, including travel, entertainment and retail.
• New hire flight attendant loan: Available upon becoming a member of our credit union, allowing flight attendants to borrow up to $2,500 for qualifying expenses including relocation, living costs or other personal financial needs.

Training is typically held during the first and second quarters of the year, with classes beginning in January and generally concluding in May or June.

• Training takes place at the Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth, Texas.
• This state-of-the-art facility is where you'll complete a six-week, comprehensive training program designed to prepare you for real-world experiences.
• The facility is equipped with everything you need to succeed, including classrooms, mock aircraft cabins, emergency equipment and other essential resources.

Before you're assigned to a training class, you'll need to complete a few important steps:

• Accept your offer: Following your in-person interview, you may receive a conditional job offer (CJO). If selected, your electronic offer will be sent within one business day. Please accept your CJO within three days of receiving it.
• Complete pre-employment requirements: This includes fingerprinting, a background check and a drug screen. These steps may take several weeks to complete.
• Placement on a waiting list: Once you've successfully completed pre-employment requirements, you will be placed on a waiting list for upcoming training classes.
• Training class invitation: If a spot becomes available, you may be invited immediately. Otherwise, you will remain on the waiting list until a spot opens or a new class is scheduled.
• Responding to an invitation: Once you receive an invitation, you'll have three days to respond. If a response is not received within that timeframe, your application will be withdrawn, and you will need to wait six months to reapply.

If you don't live in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area, we will provide you with a confirmed flight to attend training. You will receive your flight details one week before your training class begins.

You may bring one personal item, one carry-on and up to three checked bags. Each checked bag must weigh no more than 50 lbs. Please note: bags exceeding 50 lbs. will incur a $100 overweight fee, which is not covered by the company.

The flight attendant training program lasts six weeks. During that time, you'll learn the safety, customer service and operational procedures needed to prepare for your role.

No, training is not paid. If you are not local to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, American will provide flights to and from training.

You will receive your first check approximately 4 to 6 weeks after completing training, so we encourage you to plan ahead and ensure you have enough savings to cover your expenses during this time.

No, accommodations are provided. American will cover your hotel stay, transportation to and from the training center and provide three meals per day throughout training.

Training is typically held five days a week and may include weekends and holidays. Daily schedules may vary depending on your assigned class, and training days are subject to change based on weekly requirements.

Yes, you may travel home on your days off; however, the company does not provide travel arrangements for personal trips. Please note that you are responsible for returning on time for all training sessions. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and dismissal from the program.

No, local candidates are not required to stay at the provided accommodations; however, it is strongly recommended.

Training follows a structured and rigorous schedule that may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and extended days. The program incorporates classroom instruction, hands-on learning and online coursework to prepare you for the role.

The dress code for training is business casual, and you'll need to comply with our image standards regarding tattoos and piercings. You will receive an outline of the dress code guidelines two weeks prior to your training start date.

Yes, you'll have your own room for the entire six weeks of training.

Yes, training is a full-time commitment. You'll be expected to attend all scheduled sessions and fully participate throughout the six weeks.

No, attendance is required for all days of training. Consistent participation is an important part of the program. Missing a required session, outside of a medical or emergency situation, may result in withdrawal from the program. You would have the opportunity to reapply at a later time.

You must have your passport in hand before arriving for training. Without a valid passport, you will not be able to attend.

Your passport must be valid until Dec. 31, 2027.

Training requires your full participation, and time away is not permitted. If you have a pre-planned vacation or engagement, we recommend adjusting your plans or applying at a time when you can fully commit to the training schedule.

Yes. During training, you'll have two opportunities to fly along (shadow) a qualified flight attendant. These experiences are typically same-day trips where you depart and return on the same day. In rare cases, weather or mechanical issues may cause delays and require an overnight stay. If this occurs, accommodations will be provided and your training attendance will not be impacted.

Yes, there will be a six-month probation period where your performance, attendance and overall fit for the role will be evaluated.

You will begin shortly after training. The Monday following graduation, you will attend indoctrination, where you'll be introduced to your base city. After that, you'll begin serving on reserve. It's an exciting time, so be ready to step into your new role.

Your first paycheck is typically issued 4 to 6 weeks after graduation. Pay will be prorated based on your graduation date. If you are employed for less than a full month, your initial paycheck may be less than the full 75-hour guarantee.

Yes. After graduation, you will have five settling days to relocate to your assigned base. This time is intended to help get you settled and prepare for your new role. Additional details about your relocation days and flight booking will be shared closer to graduation.

American will provide confirmed travel from DFW to your assigned base. However, relocation costs are not covered. You'll be notified of your base assignment a few weeks before your graduation, giving you time to plan and make arrangements. Many of your classmates will be relocating, so you can expect support and guidance from them, your peers and instructors throughout the process.

The Recruiting team does not manage vacation approvals. Once hired, any time off must be managed in accordance with company policies and scheduling processes.

Vacation time isn't available right away when you begin flying.

As a new hire, you will begin accruing vacation time after completing your probationary period. Vacation accrual is based on your length of service moving forward, and the number of vacation days you receive is determined by seniority.

As a new hire, your schedule will vary based on seniority, base location and operational needs. After training, you'll begin on reserve, meaning you'll be "on call" to support the operation.

• First two years: Straight reserve.
• Years 3 to 5: Alternate monthly between reserve and holding a line.
• After five years: Typically, one month on reserve followed by three months holding a line.

The contract also allows more senior flight attendants to bid reserve, which may create opportunities for more junior flight attendants to hold a line sooner. All timelines are subject to your base and operational needs.

A line is a set monthly schedule that includes your assigned trips. It provides visibility into your destinations, trip hours, layovers and crew assignments.

As a reserve flight attendant, it's important to respond promptly to notifications from Crew Scheduling. Assignments may be given with little notice, so maintaining readiness is essential. Not being available or failing to notify the company of issues before your shift begins may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Reserve Availability Period (RAP): A RAP is a 12-hour on-call period, and you may be scheduled for up to six consecutive days. RAPs may also be scheduled back-to-back depending on operational needs.

• You must be able to report within two hours to your base airport. For co-terminal bases (DCA, LAX, LGA, MIA), the report time is three hours.
• You must remain within this required radius for the full duration of your RAP.

Note: if you're on a RAP and are not positioned where you can report to work within the required two-hour (three in co-terminal bases: DCA, LAX, LGA and MIA) timeframe, you may be terminated based on a single instance of not reporting to work.

Standby shifts: You may also be assigned airport standby shifts, typically lasting 4 to 6 hours, where you must remain available at the airport for immediate assignment.

Days off: You will have 12 scheduled days off per month. Schedules can vary and may include weekends and holidays. Seniority and operational needs will influence your schedule and days off.

Each base has unique flight schedules and destinations that vary month to month.

• Trips can range from single-day turnarounds to multi-day trips with layovers. A turnaround is a same-day trip that departs and returns to your home base.
• A layover occurs when you stay overnight in a city outside your home base. For layovers, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the airport are provided by the company.
• Most trips range from 1 to 4 days, depending on the schedule.
• Trip timing: Trips may begin at any time during your RAP. This may require early mornings, late nights or weekend report times.
• Layover duration: Layovers can vary widely, typically ranging from 10 hours to more than 24 hours, depending on how the trip is structured.
• Schedule changes and delays: Schedules may change with short notice due to weather, aircraft maintenance or operational needs. Flexibility is an important requirement for this role.

Reserve flight attendants are guaranteed 75 hours of pay per month.

• Any flights you are assigned and complete will count toward this 75-hour guarantee.
• In months when you fly fewer hours, you will still be paid the 75-hour minimum.
• Calling out sick or missing an assignment may reduce your guarantee.
• Flight attendants accrue sick time each month, which can be used to cover absences. If you do not have enough sick time available, the time off will be unpaid.
• You may also have opportunities to pick up additional flights on your days off, depending on availability.

Lineholder flight attendants (non-reserve months) have a minimum monthly guarantee of 71 hours at their hourly rate.

• You can bid to fly between 40 and 110 hours per month. Schedules are awarded based on seniority and your bid preferences, including specific trips, days off and destinations.
• Trip adjustments: You may be able to drop a trip if there is sufficient coverage and the system is not at capacity with open trips, the flight attendant picking up your trip can do so without creating scheduling or legal issues, and your schedule does not fall below the 40-hour monthly minimum.

Typically, the company will not schedule you more than 90 hours per month.

Yes. You may pick up additional trips if your schedule complies with legal and contractual requirements.

Yes, if you are a lineholder and certain conditions are met. This includes having sufficient coverage, maintaining legal compliance and ensuring your schedule does not fall below the required monthly minimum.

You may hold secondary employment, but it must be disclosed during training. Your flight attendant role must remain your primary job, and approval from HR is required to ensure there is no conflict of interest.

Flight attendants have several options for parking and commuting:

• You may receive a company-paid parking permit at your assigned base or at an American (or wholly owned carrier) station of your choice.
• At bases with multiple airports, permits may be issued for one or more locations upon request.
• If you choose a different location and do not receive a company-issued permit, the company will reimburse parking expenses up to the cost of parking at your assigned base.

Yes. Flexibility is required for a flight attendant's role, as you will be flying nights, weekends and holidays. As you gain seniority, your schedule may become more predictable.

Yes, consistent and reliable attendance is a core expectation of the flight attendant role. Timeliness is critical, as being late or unavailable can impact your performance, team coordination and overall operations.

Commuting is permitted, but it is strongly discouraged for new hires and those on reserve. Flight attendants are responsible for reporting to work on time and in accordance with contract requirements.

• On-time arrival is essential: You must report to your base and arrive on time for each assignment. Plan accordingly and allow extra time for unexpected delays.
• Travel considerations: Commuting flight attendants may use their non-revenue standby travel privileges or purchase confirmed tickets at their own expense. Seat availability is not guaranteed, and delays or cancellations can occur.
• Planning is key: Successful commuting requires backup plans and a proactive approach to avoid disruptions and potential disciplinary action.