American Airlines

Welcome

Flight attendants light up our skies.

Explore the realities, rewards and responsibilities of a career in the air at American.

Your pre-flight starts here. Flight attendant applications will open soon.

Life in the sky

Caring for people on life’s journey, connecting them to what matters most.

As a flight attendant at American, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference every time you step onboard. You’ll create moments that make people feel welcome, bring care to every journey and keep safety at the heart of every flight. If you’re looking for work that matters and a career that can take you places, we invite you to apply and start your journey with us.

A career in the air, complete with its ups and downs.

Getting started in this fast-paced, purpose-driven role isn’t always easy, but long-term opportunities — including guaranteed career growth — make it worthwhile.

“My first year, I flew Houston to Dallas and back. A lot. My fifth year, I picked up a Paris layover. It’s worth the work.”

The sky doesn’t keep office hours.

There’s no typical day in the life of a flight attendant — and that’s part of the adventure.

American Airlines flight attendant aboard the aircraft

Being a flight attendant means:

  • A life beyond the 9-to-5. Days, nights, weekends and holidays can all be part of the schedule, along with time away from home.
  • The first step toward a career you can shape. Most new flight attendants spend their first 2+ years on reserve, which means being available for assignments on short notice.
  • Build a career that works with your life. The more seniority you build, the more opportunities you have to shape your schedule and make the most of your time.
  • Time that’s truly yours. Golden days, official days off and flex days can give you extra opportunities to recharge, travel or spend time with the people who matter most.
Reality checkpoint

The first 2+ years take flexibility.

Most flight attendants spend their first two years on reserve. That means being ready to report for an assignment on short notice. It can take some getting used to, but it’s also a chance to gain experience.

As your seniority grows, so do your opportunities to customize your schedule.

Bases

Where you’ll work.

Your base will be your home for your career in the sky. Bases are assigned during the third week of training. We’ll consider your preferences, but assignments are based on seniority, availability and the needs of our operation.

Map of American Airlines flight attendant bases across the United States

Hover or tap a pin to see what American looks like at that base.

  • Boston, MA (BOS)
  • Charlotte, NC (CLT)
  • Chicago, IL (ORD)
  • Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (DFW)
  • Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
  • Miami, FL (MIA)
  • New York City, NY (LGA)
  • Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
  • Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
  • Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Perks & benefits

Perks like free flights take your opportunities even further.

From travel privileges to health and retirement benefits, we offer more than a paycheck.

“I’ve now been to 11 countries and 4 continents. Asia’s next!”

Working as a flight attendant gets you:

  • Travel privileges for you and your loved ones.
  • Health, dental and vision insurance starting day one.
  • Retirement benefits, including a 401(k) with company matching.
  • Well-being programs supporting your mental and financial health.
Two friends exploring a city together on a day off

Days off, well spent

Friends traveling together through the airport A family watching planes from the terminal Two friends checking travel details with their passports A coastal town on the Amalfi coast, one of many destinations open to travel privileges
Reality checkpoint

Getting free flights is exciting. Standby travel takes some planning.

As a flight attendant, you’ll have access to standby travel, but a seat isn’t always guaranteed so you’ll need to plan ahead. You’re expected to report to your base on time for every assignment and plan for potential delays.

A full new hire class gathered in the campus atrium

Hiring process

A transparent look at the hiring journey.

Becoming a flight attendant is a big decision, and we want you to have a clear picture of what’s ahead before you make it. Throughout the hiring journey, we’ll give you the information, resources and updates you need to prepare for each step — so you can decide with confidence whether this career is right for you.

Candidates selected during this hiring process will begin flight attendant training in 2027. We’ll keep you informed along the way with important dates and next steps.

“Training was intense. You learn so much, so fast. But in hindsight, going through it with others made it fun.”

What to expect:

  1. 1

    Before You Board video

    Before you apply, you’ll watch a short preview video that describes the hiring process and gives you an honest look at the flight attendant role. It’s designed to help you decide if life in the sky is right for you.

  2. 2

    Apply & complete online assessment

    Ready to take the next step? Submit your application, share your qualifications and experience, and complete an online assessment that helps us learn more about your strengths and capabilities.

  3. 3

    Personal introduction video

    If you’re selected to continue, you’ll have the opportunity to introduce yourself through a short, self-recorded video. Respond to situational questions designed to help us learn more about how you think, communicate and care for others. You’ll have 72 hours to complete it.

  4. 4

    Virtual interview

    Those candidates who continue with the process will move to a virtual conversation with members of our recruiting team. You’ll have the opportunity to talk about your experiences, share your perspective and tell us more about what you could bring to the role.

  5. 5

    On-site visit

    The next step for those who advance is an on-site visit. You’ll meet members of our team, take part in interactive activities and have the opportunity to show how you bring safety, service and care to life.

  6. 6

    7-week training

    Making it to the training stage means coming to training at our Robert L. Crandall Campus in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

  7. Earn your wings

    Successfully complete training, and you’ll officially begin your career as an American Airlines flight attendant.

This reflects the full application process. Not every candidate will advance through every step.

Candidates arriving by shuttle at the Robert L. Crandall Campus A group heading upstairs into the campus lobby A welcome presentation to a room of new flight attendants

Guide to the on-site visit

Come as you are — professionally prepared.

We want you to know what you need to succeed if you’re coming to visit us for the on-site visit. Here’s what you need to know before you arrive.

Dress code

Polished, professional attire is expected.

  • Men: Suit with a tie and polished, closed-toe dress shoes.
  • Women: Pant or skirt business suit, or professional dress. Dresses and skirts should be knee-length or longer and 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 must be at least ¼″ but no more than 1″ in length and must be maintained in a clean, neat and well-groomed condition.
  • No visible tattoos or body art.
  • No more than one earring per earlobe and no ear gauges.
  • No facial piercings or decorative dental embellishments.

Getting here

Live outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area? We’ll provide flight arrangements to help get you to the on-site visit.

Flight attendant training, by the numbers.

Training at American

During training

Length of training7 weeks
Base assignmentWeek 3 of training
HousingSingle occupancy, provided
Meals3 per day, provided
Training payUnpaid

After graduation

Report to baseWithin 5 days
Probation period6 months
Reserve2+ years
Reality checkpoint

Training is an investment in your future.

Training is unpaid, but American provides lodging, three meals a day and access to amenities including a fitness center, pool, trails and bike paths.

You’ll have a lot to learn, but you won’t be learning alone.

Meet the crew

Get the insider perspective.

Meet some of the people who have earned their wings at American and hear what this career means to them.

Steven Espinoza, flight attendant, 10 years of service, based in MIA
I hope every passenger leaves knowing they were welcomed, cared for and genuinely seen.
Steven EspinozaMiami (MIA)10 years of service
Kiki Cordrey, flight attendant, 10 years of service, based in LAX
You have to be like a palm tree in a storm. Strong enough to withstand the challenges, yet flexible enough to bend with the wind.
Kiki CordreyLos Angeles (LAX)10 years of service
Krystal Jackson, flight attendant, 3 years of service, based in DFW
We’re safety professionals first, and the face of the airline.
Krystal JacksonDallas-Fort Worth (DFW)3 years of service

Hover or tap a photo to hear from them.

FAQs

Have questions? We have answers.

From pay and scheduling to training and what happens after you earn your wings, our FAQs cover the questions we hear most from candidates.

Read the FAQs →

Ready to apply?

Your pre-flight starts here.

Flight attendant applications will open soon. Check back for your opportunity to become an American Airlines flight attendant.