Do Flight Attendants Get To Choose Where They Fly?

When you’re a flight attendant, one of the most exciting things about the job is getting to travel the world. But do flight attendants get to choose where they fly?

The answer is: it depends.

Factors That Influence Where Flight Attendants Fly

Several factors influence where flight attendants fly, including:

• Seniority: Senior flight attendants typically have more choice in their assignments. They can bid on specific routes or destinations based on their seniority.
• Base: Flight attendants are typically based out of a particular airport. This means they will primarily fly routes that depart from or arrive at their base airport.
• Airline: Some airlines allow flight attendants to request specific routes or destinations. However, these requests are not always guaranteed.
• Union contracts: Union contracts may contain provisions that give flight attendants some say in their assignments.

How Flight Attendants Choose Where They Fly

If flight attendants want to have a say in where they fly, they can take several steps:

• Build seniority: The more seniority a flight attendant has, the more choice they will have in their assignments.
• Bid on routes: Most airlines allow flight attendants to bid on specific routes or destinations. Bidding is typically done based on seniority.
• Request assignments: Flight attendants can also request specific assignments from their supervisors. However, these requests are not always guaranteed.
• Join a union: Unions can negotiate contracts that give flight attendants more say in their assignments.

The Pros and Cons of Choosing Where You Fly

There are both pros and cons to choosing where you fly as a flight attendant.

Pros:

• You can fly to your favorite destinations.
• You can avoid flying to destinations you don’t like.
• You can create a more balanced work schedule.

Cons:

• You may not always get your first choice of assignments.
• You may have to fly to less desirable destinations on short notice.
• You may have to work more irregular hours.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to choose where you fly is a personal one. Some flight attendants prefer the flexibility of being able to bid on specific routes or destinations. Others prefer the stability of having a regular schedule and flying to familiar destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do flight attendants get paid more to fly to certain destinations?

No, flight attendants typically do not get paid more to fly to specific destinations. However, some airlines may offer bonuses or incentives for flying to certain destinations during peak travel periods.

2. Can flight attendants request to fly with specific colleagues?

Yes, flight attendants can request to fly with specific colleagues. However, these requests are not always guaranteed.

3. What is the most popular destination for flight attendants to fly to?

The most popular destination for flight attendants to fly to is typically their home base airport. This is because it allows them to have a more regular schedule and spend more time at home.

4. What is the least popular destination for flight attendants to fly to?

The least popular destination for flight attendants to fly to is typically long-haul flights to remote destinations. This is because these flights can be tiring and disruptive to their schedules.

5. Can flight attendants choose to fly only first-class or business class?

No, flight attendants cannot choose to fly only first-class or business class. They are typically assigned to a specific cabin class based on their seniority.