Flight attendants are paid during delays, but how much depends on the airline and the type of delay

Most airlines pay flight attendants during delays, though the amount varies. Some airlines pay their full hourly rate from the moment the aircraft door closes until it opens again at the destination. Others pay a reduced rate once the delay reaches a certain length, or only after a specific time threshold. A few regional carriers or budget airlines may not pay at all during ground delays, though this is less common. The key difference is whether you are on the tarmac (the aircraft is moving or ready to move) or at the gate (the aircraft is parked and passengers are still boarding or waiting).

The airline's contract with its flight attendants, called a collective bargaining agreement, sets the rules. These contracts are negotiated between the airline and the flight attendants' union, usually the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) or the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). If there is no union contract, the airline sets its own policy. Either way, the policy is written into the crew scheduling system and the airline's operations manual, so crew members know what to expect.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major airlines pay flight attendants their full hourly rate during delays once the aircraft door closes, regardless of how long the delay lasts.
  • Some airlines pay a reduced rate (often called "tarmac pay" or "delay pay") that is lower than the standard flight hour rate, typically 50 percent of the hourly wage.
  • Ground delays at the gate may not be paid at all by some carriers, or may be paid at a lower rate after a waiting period of 30 minutes to two hours.
  • Flight attendants on duty but not yet assigned to a flight usually receive an hourly standby rate, which is lower than the flight rate and varies by airline.
  • The specific pay rules depend on the airline's union contract or company policy, so rates differ between carriers and even between bases within the same airline.

How pay works when the aircraft door is closed

Once the aircraft door closes, most major airlines begin paying flight attendants at their full flight rate, even if the aircraft is not moving. This is the standard at carriers like Delta, United, American, and Southwest. The clock starts when the door closes and stops when it opens at the destination, regardless of whether the flight took off on time, sat on the tarmac for three hours, or circled the airport waiting to land.

This rule exists because flight attendants are considered "on duty" the moment the door closes. They cannot leave the aircraft, they must remain in uniform and ready to work, and they are responsible for passenger safety. From the airline's perspective, the flight attendant is working even if the aircraft is not moving. From the flight attendant's perspective, they are trapped on the aircraft and cannot take another job or leave the airport, so they are may have access to to pay.

The hourly rate for flight time is higher than the standby rate or the gate delay rate. At major carriers, flight attendants earn between $28 and $56 per hour in flight pay, depending on seniority and the airline. A three-hour tarmac delay at the full flight rate can add $84 to $168 to a flight attendant's paycheck for that day.

Reduced pay rates during ground delays at the gate

Ground delays—when the aircraft is parked at the gate and passengers are still boarding or waiting—are handled differently. Some airlines do not pay flight attendants at all during the first 30 minutes to two hours of a gate delay. After that threshold, they may pay a reduced rate, often called "delay pay" or "tarmac pay," which is typically 50 percent of the flight rate.

For example, if a flight attendant's flight rate is $40 per hour and the aircraft is delayed at the gate for four hours, the airline might not pay for the first hour, then pay $20 per hour (50 percent) for the remaining three hours. That works out to $60 for the four-hour delay, rather than $160 at the full rate. Some airlines use a flat fee instead—a one-time payment of $50 or $75 for any gate delay over a certain length.

The reason for the lower rate is that flight attendants can technically leave the aircraft during a gate delay (though they must stay in uniform and remain at the airport). They are not trapped on the tarmac the way they are during a tarmac delay. However, they still cannot leave the airport or take another job, so they receive some compensation.

Tarmac delays and federal pay rules

A tarmac delay is different from a gate delay. The aircraft has pushed back from the gate and is either taxiing, waiting to take off, or waiting to land. Federal law requires airlines to return aircraft to the gate after three hours on the tarmac (or two hours for international flights) unless there is a safety or security reason to stay airborne. This rule, set by the Department of Transportation, applies to all airlines operating in the United States.

During a tarmac delay, flight attendants are almost always paid at the full flight rate because they are locked in the aircraft and cannot leave. The airline has no choice—the flight attendant is on duty, the aircraft is in motion or ready to move, and the clock is running. Even if the airline later refunds passengers or pays compensation for the delay, the flight attendant's pay is separate and is not reduced.

If an aircraft returns to the gate after three hours on the tarmac, the airline must allow passengers to leave. Flight attendants may then be released from duty or reassigned to another flight. If they are released, they stop being paid at the flight rate and may be paid a lower standby rate if they remain on call.

Standby pay and how it differs from flight pay

Flight attendants who are on duty but not yet assigned to a flight receive a standby rate, which is lower than the flight rate. Standby rates typically range from $2 to $3 per hour at major carriers, though some airlines use a monthly standby may provide instead (a flat fee that covers all standby hours in a month). During a delay, if a flight attendant has not yet boarded the aircraft, they are usually on standby pay, not flight pay.

Once the aircraft door closes, the flight attendant moves from standby pay to flight pay. If the flight is delayed before the door closes, the flight attendant remains on standby pay. This is why the timing of the door closure matters. A flight attendant who is assigned to a flight but waiting at the gate for two hours before boarding receives standby pay for those two hours, then switches to flight pay once the door closes.

Some airlines have a "gate hold" or "ground stop" policy that pays a higher rate during extended gate delays—for example, 25 percent of the flight rate after one hour of waiting. This is less common than the flat delay fee or the 50 percent reduced rate, but it exists at some carriers.

Regional airlines and budget carriers

Regional airlines and budget carriers sometimes have different pay rules. Some regional carriers that operate under contracts with major airlines (like SkyWest or Republic Airways) follow the major airline's pay policy because they are contractually required to. Others have their own policies that may be less generous.

Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier have been known to pay flight attendants only for flight time, not for delays. This means a flight attendant on a delayed flight receives pay only for the actual flying time, not for the hours spent waiting on the tarmac or at the gate. However, even these carriers must comply with federal law if an aircraft is delayed on the tarmac for more than three hours—they must return to the gate, and the flight attendant's pay situation changes at that point.

If you are flying on a regional or budget carrier and want to know the delay pay policy, the information is usually in the airline's crew manual or the flight attendants' union contract, both of which are public documents. You can also ask a flight attendant directly—they will know their own airline's policy.

What happens if a flight is cancelled

If a flight is cancelled, flight attendants are usually paid for the time they spent on duty up to the cancellation. If the aircraft door was closed and the flight was cancelled before takeoff, they receive flight pay for the time the door was closed. If the flight was cancelled while the aircraft was still at the gate, they receive standby pay or gate delay pay for the time they spent waiting.

After a cancellation, flight attendants may be reassigned to another flight, released from duty, or placed on standby for the rest of the day. If they are reassigned, they begin a new duty period and receive pay according to that flight's schedule. If they are released, they stop receiving pay unless they are on a monthly standby may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do flight attendants get paid if the flight is delayed before they board?

It depends on the airline and how long the delay is. If the flight attendant has not yet boarded the aircraft, they are usually on standby pay, which is much lower than flight pay (typically $2 to $3 per hour). Some airlines pay a higher rate or a flat fee after a gate delay reaches one or two hours, but this varies by carrier.

What is the difference between tarmac pay and flight pay?

Flight pay is the hourly rate for actual flight time and is paid once the aircraft door closes. Tarmac pay (or delay pay) is a reduced rate, usually 50 percent of flight pay, that some airlines pay during ground delays at the gate. Once the aircraft pushes back from the gate, flight attendants return to the full flight rate.

Can a flight attendant refuse to work if there is a long delay?

No. Once a flight attendant is assigned to a flight and the aircraft door closes, they are on duty and must remain until the flight lands or the airline releases them. Refusing to work can result in discipline or termination. However, if a flight attendant becomes ill or injured during a delay, they can request to be replaced.

Do flight attendants get paid overtime for delays?

No. Delays are paid at the same hourly rate as regular flight time, not at an overtime rate. However, if a delay causes a flight attendant to exceed their maximum duty time for the day (usually 14 hours), the airline must release them from duty or reduce their next assignment. They do not receive overtime pay, but they do receive their regular flight rate for all hours worked.

How do I know what my airline pays during delays?

The pay policy is in the airline's crew scheduling system and the flight attendants' union contract (if one exists). You can ask a flight attendant directly, or you can request the contract from the union that represents that airline's crew. The union contact information is usually listed on the airline's website or on the union's website.