1. Introduction to Air Hostess Salaries
Why salary varies
Air hostess salaries change based on:
✓ Airline type (budget vs full-service)
✓ Experience level (fresher vs 5-year crew)
✓ Flight routes (domestic/international)
Example: A new IndiGo hostess earns less than an Emirates hostess with 2 years experience.
Key pay components
Total salary = Base pay + Allowances:
- Base salary: Fixed monthly amount (₹25k-80k)
- Flying allowance: Paid per flight hour (₹300-800/hr)
- Layover pay: Extra for overnight stays
Who this guide helps
Perfect for:
- 12th pass students
- Aviation course trainees
- Career changers
2. Air Hostess Salary in Domestic Airlines (2024)
IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express pay
| Airline | Fresher Salary | 3+ Years Experience |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | ₹35,000 | ₹55,000 |
| Air India | ₹40,000 | ₹65,000 |
| SpiceJet | ₹32,000 | ₹50,000 |
Allowances added:
✓ Flying: ₹400/hour
✓ Layover: ₹2,000/night
3. Air Hostess Salary in International Airlines (2024)
Tax-free salaries (Gulf airlines)
| Airline | Monthly Salary (INR) | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | ₹1.4 lakh | Free Dubai flat |
| Qatar | ₹1.3 lakh | Annual flight tickets |
| Singapore | ₹1.1 lakh | Health insurance |
Note: These are tax-free in UAE/Qatar!
4. Breakdown of Salary Components
Base salary range
| Level | Domestic (₹) | International (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher | 25k-40k | 90k-1.4L |
| Senior | 50k-80k | 1.6L-2L |
Flying allowance
- Domestic: ₹300-500/hour
- International: ₹600-800/hour
5. Career Growth & Promotions
Promotion path
- Junior Hostess (0-2 yrs): ₹25k-40k
- Senior Hostess (3-5 yrs): ₹50k-80k
- Purser (5+ yrs): ₹80k-1.2L
Management roles:
- Cabin Manager (₹1.5L+)
- Trainer (₹1L-1.8L)
6. Highest-Paying Airlines
Top payers comparison
| Airline | Starting Salary | After 5 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | ₹1.4L | ₹2.2L |
| Air India | ₹40k | ₹1L |
| Qatar | ₹1.3L | ₹2L |
7. How to Become an Air Hostess
Eligibility
- Age: 18-26 years
- Height: 157cm+ (females), 172cm+ (males)
- Education: 12th pass (some need graduation)
Top training institutes
- Frankfinn (₹1.5L fee)
- Aptech Aviation (₹1.2L)
- Air Hostess Academy (₹80k)
Do air hostesses get free flights?
Yes! Most airlines offer free or discounted flights, but rules vary:
✅ Free Flights:
For yourself: 2-6 free flights yearly (depends on airline)
For family: 50-90% discount on tickets (parents/spouse/children)
⚠️ Rules to Know:
Must book during off-peak seasons
Limited seats available (first-come basis)
Some airlines charge airport taxes only
Best Airlines for Travel Benefits:
Airline
Free Flights/Yr
Family Discount
Emirates
6
90% off
Air India
4
75% off
IndiGo
2
50% off
Which airline pays the most?
International airlines pay 3-4X more than Indian carriers. Here’s the ranking:
🏆 Top Paying Airlines (2024):
Emirates – ₹1.4 lakh/month (tax-free)
Qatar Airways – ₹1.3 lakh/month
Singapore Airlines – ₹1.1 lakh/month
🇮🇳 In India:
Vistara – ₹55,000 (starting)
Air India – ₹50,000
IndiGo – ₹45,000
Salary Comparison Table:
Airline
Fresher Salary
After 5 Years
Emirates
₹1.4L
₹2.2L
Vistara
₹55k
₹1.2L
SpiceJet
₹40k
₹80k
Fun Fact: Emirates crew also get free Dubai housing worth ₹50k/month!
Is the salary tax-free in Gulf airlines?
Yes! Gulf countries don’t tax salaries, so you keep 100% of your pay.
💰 Tax-Free Benefits:
Basic salary: No deduction
Allowances: Flight pay, housing, transport all untaxed
Savings potential: Save ₹70k-1L monthly easily
⚠️ Important Notes:
Indian tax rules apply if you stay more than 182 days/year in India
Must file IT returns but may not owe taxes
Keep all salary slips for proof
Tax-Free Airlines List:
✔️ Emirates (Dubai)
✔️ Qatar Airways (Doha)
✔️ Etihad (Abu Dhabi)
What is the salary difference between domestic and international air hostesses?
International crews earn 2-3 times more than domestic airlines. Here’s the breakdown:
Salary Component
Domestic (₹)
International (₹)
Base Salary
25,000-50,000
90,000-1,50,000
Flying Allowance
300-500/hour
600-1,000/hour
Layover Pay
1,500/night
3,000-5,000/night
Total Monthly
40k-80k
1.2L-2L+
Key Reasons:
Longer flight hours
Multiple currencies handled
Higher service standards
Do air hostesses get bonuses or incentives?
Yes! Most airlines offer extra earnings:
💰 Common Bonuses:
Performance Bonus: Up to 1 month’s salary (yearly)
Sales Commission: 2-5% of onboard sales
Perfect Attendance: ₹5,000-10,000 quarterly
🏆 Special Incentives:
“Crew of the Month” awards (₹15,000+)
Language proficiency pay (+₹8,000/month for extra languages)
Emergency training allowance (₹3,000/month)
Example: A Qatar Airways hostess can earn ₹25,000 extra monthly through:
✓ Japanese language skills (+₹7k)
✓ Onboard sales (+₹10k)
✓ Performance bonus (+₹8k)