I'm a Flight Attendant: Truths About the Mile-High Club and Passenger Habits
Grace Hampson, an international flight attendant, shared insights into the realities of her job in a Sky News Money blog piece published on 8 December 2025. The role combines a basic salary of roughly £19,000 to £28,000 per year with flight pay and per diems. Work hours are not set weekly but are regulated with limits of 900 flight hours in a rolling year and no more than 100 hours in a rolling 28 days, alongside 28 days of annual leave.
Training to become a flight attendant includes completing an attestation safety qualification within a week and requires being type-rated to a specific aircraft, with training length varying by airline. Passenger safety is paramount, including strict protocols such as requiring passengers to sit in allocated seats during take-off to ensure proper weight distribution and maintain aircraft balance. Seat switching during boarding is not allowed.
The job involves readiness for emergencies while operating with limited ground resources, but there are travel perks such as exploring destinations during flexible long-haul schedules, often staying a night or two. Although attempts to join the mile-high club occur, they are rare due to security measures and frequent cabin patrols. Turbulence is managed through safety checks and frequent explanations, including a turbulence FAQ created with the help of Hampson's retired pilot father shared on TikTok.
Environmental considerations are increasingly important, with newer fleets like the 787 Dreamliner offering more fuel efficiency. The future could improve further with sustainable aviation fuels when they become commercially viable. Passengers can also save money by traveling early in the morning or on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Among airports, Los Angeles International Airport remains a favorite destination for its accessibility and opportunities.
