Flight attendants can expect different starting salaries and perks when working for major UK airlines, with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair all offering varying pay scales and financial incentives. Some crew can earn extra for catching passengers with oversized bags, while others are paid for every hour in the air.
Virgin Atlantic was the only airline to share official salary figures, stating 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 commission, variable payments and down-route allowances. A spokesperson said: '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.'
According to salaries reported on Indeed, Ryanair cabin crew earn a base salary of £17,630. A 2024 Telegraph report noted an average salary of approximately £23,000, with a starting salary of £15,750 excluding flight payments and commission. As of mid-2025, Ryanair staff also receive a 'gate bag bonus' of roughly €1.50-€2.50 for identifying oversized luggage, capped at €80, and a 10% commission on onboard sales.
British Airways offers a structured pay package of base salary, flight duty pay and allowances. AviationA2Z puts the starting salary at £24,000, while one Gatwick-based crew member with a year's experience reported total take-home pay of £30,000. EasyJet cabin crew start from £22,000 per year, with average increments of £2,000 annually, plus layover allowances for meals, transport to and from airports, and a 10% commission on onboard sales. One flight attendant noted a flight fee of £55 each way for a trip to Egypt and a £30 layover payment.
