Flying private jets as flight crew or a flight attendant is a very prestigious job and more often than not offers a slightly higher salary than commercial flying. It might mean flying for a business, a celebrity, or an ultra-high-net-worth individual, or for a private jet charter operator. The crew on a private jet must ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers in a unique environment with the utmost professionalism. What can private jet crew earn?
Photo: Aero
The general consensus for flight crew
Firstly, looking at the pilot salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary for a pilot in private aviation is $171,210 per year. It is important to bear in mind that some pilots are contracted and may have daily rates instead of an annual salary. The definition of private aviation used here is a broad one as it may also include those working in general aviation and is not defined as working on a private jet.
Experience is a huge factor, as a captain will earn much more than a first officer, for example, in both commercial and private aviation. A new first officer starting their career will have a modest salary, whereas an experienced captain with experience and seniority will earn much more.
- Entry level: $50,000-$85,000 per year
- With between 2000 and 5000 flight hours: $85,000-$150,000 per year
- With over 5,000 + flight hours: $160,000-$300,000 per year
Flight attendant salary
Private jet flight attendants usually earn more than their commercial counterparts, as it is a prestigious role and a lot of work. Salary is between $2500 and $5000 per month but can be as low as $1500 or as high as $7500. This depends on location, experience, and the type of operation.
Contracts can be very short-lived and often unstable or unreliable. Salary is also variable from month to month. For private jet flight attendants in the United States, the average annual salary is around $47,079, although many experienced crew members earn much more than that-upwards of $75,000.
- Entry level: $35,500-$50,000 per year
- Experienced flight attendant: $70,000-$100,000 per year
- Freelance flight attendant: $500-$1000 per day
Flight engineer salary
Flight engineers are also sometimes carried on private jets for aircraft safety and operational efficiency. Their salary reflects their certification and on-the-job experience and their job is highly regulated by aviation authorities. They may achieve bonuses for their performance or for being on-call.
- Entry level: $50,000-$70,000
- Experienced flight engineer: $80,000-$120,000
- Lead engineer: upwards of $140,000
Photo: Karol Ciesluk | Shutterstock
Differences in salary
Salaries can differ hugely for pilots and crew depending on the operator they work for and their location. For example, in the United States, pilots working in New York or California earn more as private jets are heavily in demand and the cost of living is much higher. Working in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates also tends to attract a higher salary.
The aircraft type flown can also affect the pilot’s salary. The larger jets, like the Gulfstream G650 and the Bombardier Global series, attract higher salaries because the aircraft are state-of-the-art and require experienced crew and additional training and certifications. As an example, flying a Cessna Citation would require less experience than a Gulfstream and, therefore, offers a lower salary. An experienced captain flying a heavy ultra-long-range private jet can expect to earn above $250,000 annually, according to a study by Professional Pilot Magazine.
|
Position |
Salary range |
|
First Officer |
$90,000 – $114,000 |
|
Captain |
$165,000 – $206,000 |
|
Chief pilot |
$211,000 – $235,000 |
Commercial salaries in comparison
Again, using information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial airline pilots, first officers and flight engineers earn $219,140 per year on average. Emirates pilots make more than $250,000 per year, and according to Reuters, a captain’s hourly pay rate has risen in recent years to around $317 per flight hour.
Pilots who work for ultra-high-net-worth individuals or corporate clients can earn more than those working for a private jet operator. Pilots working in corporate aviation may have more stable contracts, health insurance, and bonuses, whereas working for a private jet operator can sometimes be less stable and more reliant on flight hours.
Commercial flight attendant salary
The commercial flight attendant salary is made up of basic pay, flying pay, layover allowance, commission from retail, and language of destination payment. The salary can range from $1200 to $3000 per month, depending on the airline, the region, and seniority. A senior cabin crew member will earn more and is in charge on board and a purser will earn similar.
Accommodation and transport whilst on duty are covered by the operator and a per diem is paid per day whilst on duty for living expenses, meals, and laundry. These are received in the following month’s salary. This per diem applies to flight crew and flight attendants, although it will be a different amount, with the flight crew earning more.
Usually, the positioning flight to the base or to meet the aircraft elsewhere is also paid for as well as flying home, if on a rotational contract. The flight crew often have business-class flights. Although staff travel discounts are offered in commercial aviation, this does not apply to private aviation. Some operators may offer healthcare or life insurance, but this can be rare and uniform is not always provided.
An employer will also often pay for flight crew certifications and training to comply with aviation regulations. Flight attendants usually have to pay for their own training, although if working on a large aircraft type like the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) or the Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ), training will be covered.
The private jet flight attendant
A private jet flight attendant’s role is very different from that of a commercial flight attendant. The role is a lot less structured, is more demanding, and is multifaceted work. The private jet flight attendant often works alone or with one or two others, instead of being part of a larger team onboard. They earn more than commercial flight attendants.
In the private jet world, a senior cabin crew member will earn slightly more but is only used on larger aircraft types like the Boeing Business Jet and the Airbus Corporate Jet.
The additional duties of a flight attendant working on a private jet include:
- Preparing a tailored menu
- Ordering the catering
- Preparing welcome drinks and canapés
- Making drinks on demand
- Looking after pets
- Safety on board
- Setting up the inflight entertainment system
- Preparing drinks and meals for the flight crew
- Plating meals to five-star quality
- Making up beds
- Cleaning the cabin
Per diem
Per diems for flight attendants are usually $75 to $150 per night or can be based on the cost of living in the country where they layover. Therefore, they may receive less if the layover is in Germany than say in Japan. These are payable whilst on duty although not received until the following month. Flight crew per diems are usually higher than those of a flight attendant. If a flight engineer is carried, they will also receive per diems.
Photo: Luxaviation
Rotation schedule
The schedule for a flight attendant working on a private jet is often rotational, as crew members are on call and the schedule can change at any given time. Rotations can be 14 days on and 14 days off or one month on one month off. Some operators work 18 days on and 12 days off and, in Saudi Arabia, the rotation is usually two months on, one month off.
Flight crew also often work on rotation, mostly on a one-month on, one-month off schedule, or sometimes 14 days on, 14 days off, with an option to stay extra days. Some crew members are on permanent standby with no schedule or days off, which can be problematic.
The freelance option
Some flight attendants choose to freelance, which can be lucrative as it covers last-minute flights, and they can earn between $500 to $800 per day, plus per diem. This is also an option for flight crew who can ask for upwards of $3,000 per day plus expenses. These should always be negotiated in advance with the client along with hotel and flight costs.
In conclusion
Whether you are a flight crew member, a flight engineer, or a flight attendant, working on a private jet is very rewarding. It is also demanding due to the nature of being on call with very little schedule. Benefits include traveling to more unusual destinations, and meeting lots of interesting people, and it is certainly not boring or routine. Every day is different, and you never know where you might end up.
The pay for both flight crew and flight attendants is very variable and depends heavily on experience, region, and aircraft type. Per diems are an added extra along with flights to meet the aircraft and hotels and transport paid down route. Salaries are variable every month and freelance flying can be a lucrative option for flight crew and flight attendants.
