An air hostess, also known as a cabin crew member or flight attendant, plays a very important role on every flight. Their main job is to keep passengers safe and comfortable during the journey.
They give safety instructions before takeoff, help passengers with boarding and getting off the plane, serve meals and drinks, and make sure everyone has a pleasant experience.
Apart from taking care of passengers, air hostesses also manage some paperwork, write flight reports, and sometimes sell duty-free products during the flight.
If you have dreamt of visiting new places and meeting different individuals, becoming a cabin crew might be your ultimate career goal. One of the many questions that comes to mind is, “What is the air hostess salary?” I will try to answer the question thoroughly within this blog, and provide detailed information regarding air hostess salary in India (both starting and thereafter) and abroad, including monthly and yearly figures.
Typically, the starting salary of air hostess can be expected between ₹25,000 and ₹35,000 a month. This salary improves with promotions, experience, and flying hour.
Moreover, many airlines offer additional perks like travel, medical insurance, and performance bonuses alongside the starting salary for air hostess in India.
According to the research performed on the average air hostess starting salary in India, a cabin crew member gets paid between ₹25,000 and ₹35,000 to begin with, which later increases to ₹60,000, or even higher with experience. However, these averages vary with different airlines, experience levels, and regions of the country.
Metro cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai have significantly more opportunities for flights, leading to a higher cost of living. This results in an inflationary trend in air hostess salaries. Thus, air hostesses in Delhi earn more relative to smaller towns and cities, which significantly drives up the air hostess salary in Delhi as well.
In the case of an air hostess career, every rank or level comes with its own pay range. Here’s the list:
1. Air Hostess Salary: Trainee Cabin Crew
Role: First or beginner level. Under training period or probation.
In India: ₹20,000 to ₹30,000.
Air hostess salary international: May earn as much as ₹80,000, but it depends on the airline.
Also includes free training, uniforms and even travel.
2. Air Hostess Salary: Junior Cabin Crew (After Probation)
Role: Passenger handling, in-flight services, safety procedures, policy enforcement.
Salary in India: ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 per month.
Air hostess salary international: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,50,000 depending on airline and route. Salary per month at this level increases with each airline.
3. Air Hostess Salary: Senior Cabin Crew
Role: Oversee junior staff, onboard activities, and service quality.
Salary in India : From ₹50,000 to ₹75,000
Air hostess salary international: From ₹1,50,000 to ₹2,00,000, if not more
4. Cabin Supervisor / In-Flight Manager
Responsibilities: Supervises other flight attendants onboard and guides the cabin crew on service procedures into seamless operation during flight.
India Salary: Between ₹75,000 and ₹1,00,000 per month.
Air hostess salary international: Upwards of ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,00,000+ with some airlines like Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
5. Trainer / Ground Instructor (Post-Flight Career)
Responsibilities: Oversees new hire orientations, authorizes service, safety, and/or emergency procedures training.
India Salary: ₹60,000 to ₹1,20,000 based on experience and the hiring institute.
Most hostesses turn to training after acquiring a substantial amount of experience.
The salary of an air hostess in India varies depending on the airline, experience level, and additional benefits. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from some of the leading airlines in India:
Apart from the fixed salary, Indigo also provides several allowances and bonuses that increase the overall revenue.
Air India also offers additional remunerations such as pension, medical benefits, and flying allowances, thus making the total package more appealing.
SpiceJet provides some senior crew with experience further allowances and incentives.
The premium services offered by Vistara are clearly evident in the salaries and the myriad of perks offered to their air hostesses, as well as the in-flight experience.
Salaries often differ based on the scale of operations of the airline. Flight Attendants experience, and the routes flown. Usually, the more experienced and senior air hostesses will receive a higher basic salary along with other benefits.
Investigate the global earnings of air hostesses based on their years of service, from fresher to mid-level, to seasoned professional.
The average air hostess salary in India per month is dependent on the airline and city with higher salaries offered in metropolitan centers like Delhi and Mumbai.
Air hostess salary international Emirates hostess is over and above available in the market as it is tax free along with provision of free accommodation, transport, and medical benefits.
Air Hostess Salary International: Singapore Airlines has one of the most competitive air hostess salary packages in the region and offers further superior international benefits.
Air Hostess Salary International: Qatar Airways have amongst the best clear payment and generous holiday pay policies for air hostess positions.
Airlines from the US have been found to give higher payments compared to international long-haul air routes.
UK-based carriers seem to have no barrier to remain competitive which has resulted in greatly increased earning potential for international flying hostesses.
There are many variables that can affect the salary of an Air hostess. Here is a breakdown of the primary factors:
1. Airline Type
Premium Vistara or Singapore Airlines will pay significantly more than low cost carriers like SpiceJet. A domestic airline will pay substantially less than an international one.
2. Experience
Your pay will depend on your level of experience. Even in an entry level position, an air hostess starting salary in India increases significantly after a few years. Experience allows you to move up in rank and salary.
3. Flight Route: Domestic versus International
Flight Attendants earn significantly higher for international flights as they have longer duration flights and receive more allowances. Flight Attendants will make anywhere between 2-3 times their domestic salary when flying internationally.
4. City Location
Your base location affects your monthly salary. An air hostess in Delhi for example, is likely to earn more than those in smaller cities because they have access to more frequent flights as well as a higher cost of living.
5. Position held in Cabin
Your role matters too—being a junior flight attendant, senior cabin crew, or cabin supervisor will significantly impact the pay each position receives.
6. Total Flight Hours
In addition to a fixed salary, air hostesses are paid for every hour that they spend flying. The greater the amount of hours flown, the higher the income.
The air hostess’s salary is highly conditional on the airline, the geographical region, and the individual’s expertise. Regardless of whether you are employed by Indigo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Vistara, or even international behemoths Emirates and Singapore Airlines, the aviation industry offers and exudes superb value propositions in terms of remuneration and travel opportunities.
In case you are just starting out, there is no need to be worried—the air hostess starting salary in India is relatively good and improves rapidly with experience. Additionally, the benefits and lifestyle associated with the profession make it a dream career for many.
If you are considering becoming an air hostess, ensure you are trained at a reputable institute as this will set you on the path towards a high flying career.
For freshers, the monthly salary is around ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 depending on the airline.
Domestic premium carriers like Air India and Vistara generally pay higher, while international airlines like Singapore and Emirates offer the best value for money.
International Flight Attendants receive anything from ₹100,000 to ₹300,000 per month depending on the airline and rank of the air hostess.
Absolutely! With experience comes promotion, greater responsibility, and more complex tasks, like a senior crew member or cabin supervisor.
Some airlines provide a stipend during training. Payment only starts after hiring.
Batch Start From 6th Jan & 10th Jan 2025
Batch Start From 10th Jan 2025
Batch Start From 10th Jan 2025