Key Facts
- ✓ Allegiant flight attendants now earn higher base pay than United crew, a reversal of the typical industry hierarchy.
- ✓ United's flight attendants have not received a raise since 2020, with contract negotiations extending into 2026.
- ✓ Allegiant's new five-year contract, ratified in April 2024, secured an average wage increase of 41% over its life.
- ✓ Spirit Airlines flight attendants agreed to temporary pay cuts amid the airline's second bankruptcy, saving the company $15 million annually.
- ✓ Frontier's maximum pay rate takes 19 years to reach, compared to the more typical 13 years at other carriers.
- ✓ United crew members can boost their earnings significantly by working extra hours and premium international trips, with many earning over $100,000 annually.
A Surprising Pay Shift
In a reversal of long-standing industry norms, flight attendants at ultra-low-cost carriers are seeing their base pay rival—and in one case, surpass—that of their counterparts at major legacy airlines. This unexpected development stems from a unique convergence of contract negotiations and labor market pressures.
While airlines like Allegiant have secured new agreements with substantial wage increases, legacy carrier United has been mired in negotiations for nearly six years, leaving its crew without a raise since 2020. The result is a temporary but significant narrowing of the pay gap between budget and legacy carriers.
The New Pay Landscape
Flight attendants at ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) typically earn a base pay between $22 and $68 per hour. However, Allegiant's cabin crew now stand out, having ratified a new five-year contract in April 2024 that secured an average wage increase of 41% over the life of the deal.
As a result, most Allegiant crew earn a higher base rate than their United counterparts, with the gap varying from roughly $1 to $8 an hour depending on seniority. This can add up to several thousand dollars in extra annual income.
The current base pay scales for the three major ULCCs are:
"United flight attendants have been picketing at airports across the US."
— Source Content
The Legacy Carrier Lag
United's flight attendants, numbering roughly 28,000, have not seen a pay increase since 2020. Contract negotiations have stretched into 2026 after union members rejected a tentative agreement in July 2025 that would have boosted pay by 44% over five years.
While United's base pay for new hires is about $28/hour and for veteran crew is about $67/hour, these rates are now outpaced by Allegiant. However, United crew can significantly boost their earnings by picking up extra hours and working premium international trips, with many earning over $100,000 annually.
United flight attendants have been picketing at airports across the US.
In contrast, Allegiant operates a fully domestic network with an out-and-back schedule, meaning flight attendants typically return to their home base the same day. This model cuts hotel and per diem expenses for the airline but also limits earning opportunities for crew compared to legacy carriers with international routes.
Compensation Beyond Base Pay
Base hourly rates tell only part of the story. Flight attendant compensation includes several other components that vary significantly between carriers.
Per diem is a small hourly stipend paid for time spent away from a crew member's home base, typically running $2 to $3 an hour. Airlines also offer free personal flights as employment benefits.
Legacy carriers like Delta and American pay their new hires around $37 an hour, with top earners making at least $83, and they provide boarding pay—a benefit not offered by ULCCs or United.
Additionally, United offers a profit-sharing bonus, which was 5.3% of eligible earnings in 2024 and 9% in 2025—a benefit largely absent at ULCCs.
Industry Pressures & Future Outlook
The current pay parity may be temporary. United's flight attendants are widely expected to secure significant raises once a new contract is finalized, which would once again widen the pay gap between legacy and ULCCs.
Meanwhile, other ULCCs face their own challenges. Spirit is navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy, having forced flight attendants to temporarily accept pay cuts that save the airline $15 million annually. Frontier and Spirit's contracts are up for renegotiation, meaning crew members are earning outdated pay during the process.
Allegiant's merger with Sun Country will not change its flight attendant contract until the deal is complete, after which talks will continue with the National Mediation Board and union leadership.
Key Takeaways
The airline labor market is in a state of flux, with Allegiant temporarily leading in base pay for flight attendants. This shift highlights the impact of prolonged contract negotiations and the competitive pressure to retain crew.
However, the advantage is likely short-lived. Once United finalizes its new contract, the traditional pay hierarchy between legacy and ultra-low-cost carriers is expected to be restored.
For flight attendants, compensation remains a complex equation of base pay, per diem, profit sharing, and earning opportunities—factors that vary widely across the industry.
