Job Description

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.

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.

Multilingual opportunities

Bring your language skills onboard.

Your ability to communicate across cultures can help connect people around the world.

Speaking more than one language isn't required to become a flight attendant, but it can create additional opportunities throughout your career to earn more and fly unique destinations. Multilingual flight attendants help customers navigate their journeys and feel more at ease while traveling across our global network.

Reality checkpoint Additional opportunities come with additional requirements.

Candidates interested in these opportunities must successfully complete a proficiency assessment. Depending on operational needs, some multilingual flight attendants may also be assigned to bases where their expertise is most needed.

See what languages we're looking for ?

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.

LAX PHX DFW ORD CLT MIA BOS LGA JFK DCA PHL

LAX PHX DFW ORD CLT MIA DCA PHL NYC BOS

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.

Days off, well spent

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.

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 Apply to Fly: Application and assessment
   Before you apply, you'll watch a short Before You Board 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. 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.
   • Before You Board video
   • Application
   • Eligibility
   • Assessment
2. 2 Meet Me: Recorded 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.
3. 3 Crew Interview: Virtual conversation
   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.
   • 2-on-1 interview
4. 4 In-Person Experience: Performance of essential job functions
   The next step for those who advance is the In-Person Experience. 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.
   • On-campus 2-on-1 interview and assessment
5. 5 7-week training
   Making it to the training stage means coming to training at our Robert L. Crandall Campus in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
6. 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.

Guide to the In-Person Experience

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 In-Person Experience. 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 In-Person Experience.

Flight attendant training, by the numbers.

Training at American

During training

Length of training 7 weeks

Base assignment Week 3 of training

Housing Single occupancy, provided

Meals 3 per day, provided

Training pay Unpaid

After graduation

Report to base Within 5 days

Probation period 6 months

Reserve 2+ 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.

Job Tags

Work at office, Trial period, Flexible hours, Night shift, Weekend work

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