Flight attendants can expect varying starting salaries and perks depending on which major airline they work for. EasyJet, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways all offer distinct pay scales and financial incentives to their cabin crews. Some crew members can earn extra for catching passengers with oversized bags, while others are compensated for every hour spent in the air.
Although some airlines have been reticent about disclosing exact pay figures, a compilation of publicly available information reveals the following details.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was the only airline that provided official flight attendant salary figures upon request. Cabin crew receive a starting basic salary of £22,447.32, plus average expected trip pay of around £5,000 (based on 48 trips per year), along with any commission, additional variable payments, and down-route allowances.
A spokesperson stated: "Virgin Atlantic offers competitive packages that reflect long-haul travel alongside travel opportunities, career progression, wellbeing support, training, private health, an inclusive work environment, and rewards for loyalty designed to support long-term careers. This is why we continue to see strong retention among our cabin crew." Loyalty and experience are rewarded, with more experienced cabin crew earning higher basic pay and overall packages. Senior Virgin Atlantic cabin crew are among the highest rewarded in the UK market, reflecting their level of expertise, safety responsibility, and customer experience delivered onboard.
Ryanair
According to salaries reported by staff members on Indeed, Ryanair cabin crew earn a base salary of £17,630. A 2024 Telegraph article noted that cabin crew were paid an average salary of approximately £23,000, with a starting salary of £15,750. However, this does not account for flight payments—crew members earn a supplement for each hour they spend in the air—or commission. Additionally, staff reportedly enjoy unlimited standby tickets.
As of mid-2025, Ryanair flight attendants and gate staff receive extra payments, including a "gate bag bonus" of roughly €1.50 (£1.30) to €2.50 for identifying oversized luggage, capped at €80, and a 10% commission on onboard sales.
British Airways
British Airways offers a structured pay package comprising base salary, flight duty pay, and allowances, with earnings increasing through experience and route type. AviationA2Z puts the starting salary at £24,000, while one cabin crew member with a year's experience based at Gatwick reported a total take-home pay of £30,000.
EasyJet
According to Aviation A2Z, EasyJet crew members are paid a basic standard salary. Currently, EasyJet cabin crew earn an overall starting salary of £22,000 per year, with average increments of £2,000 in each annual cycle. Each individual's salary largely depends on their overall experience, total duration of employment with the airline, flight hours clocked, and applicable taxes if working in different EU countries.
Beyond base wages, EasyJet cabin crew are entitled to layover allowances for meals, which vary depending on the destination. The airline also arranges transportation for crew to and from the airport while in transit. Furthermore, cabin crew can earn a 10% commission on every sale made during a flight, including food, drinks, and duty-free items. According to one flight attendant, EasyJet's flight fee is generous, at £55 each way for a trip to Egypt, for example, with a layover payment of £30 also given.
