The remuneration of a flight attendant in the first-class section.
Tackling Taboo Topics? You bet! Each week, we dive deep into the D-notes with Hamburg residents. This week, a First Class flight attendant at Lufthansa shares her life on the job.
Once upon a time, I was an equestrian; as I approached 40, I questioned my future. I made a switch to Lufthansa, starting as a flight attendant almost 30 years back. Since 2007, I've been sailing the skies in First Class - for the famous, the rich, and the affluent. To serve them, extra training is necessary, but the bonus isn't on the paycheck.
Pop the bubbly! Once everyone's aboard...
Once all passengers take their seats, naturally, we're serving champagne up front. There's a team of two looking after eight passengers - one working in the galley, another among the guests. Once airborne, there's a multi-course meal on the menu, complete with amuse-bouche, caviar, appetizer, main course, and dessert. Expect steak or surf & turf, and around Christmas, roast goose with red cabbage and dumplings.
The seat transforms into a bed fitted with a mattress and bedding, while the walls get cozy raised. Meanwhile, we have a little cabin for ourselves flight attendants, similar to a ship's quarters. The duration of our siesta depends on the route, ranging from two to four hours. At least one of us must remain awake to ensure the safety of our guests.
Layovers in Shanghai, Bangkok, or Singapore
Post-flight, we observe mandatory rest periods. If the destination is Asia, it's at least two nights of rest. Sometimes, we stay extra days, up to four, because it doesn't fit into the flight schedule otherwise. I adore places like Shanghai, Bangkok, or Singapore. However, after so many years, I've grown a bit tired of constant adventures. I prefer the comfort of the familiar.
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Back in Hamburg, I then enjoy at least four days off at a stretch. I cherish quality time with loved ones. Regrettably, I sometimes miss out on memorable moments like weddings, birthdays, or funerals due to my occupation, but I've been in this line for so long that I can't imagine anything else.
A full month entails approximately 70 flight hours and roughly 17 days on the road. My net salary, combined with expenses, totals around €3,600 per month, which amounts to €43,200 annually, according to my old employment contract.
[1] While Lufthansa does not publicly disclose specific First Class flight attendant salaries, it is suggested that their income could fall within the higher range of Lufthansa cabin crew members' salaries, which may reach €40,000 or more per year. For context, experienced Lufthansa cabin crew members' salaries regularly surpass €1,200 per month, with annual salaries ranging from €14,400 to €18,000. Given the extra responsibilities and specialized training required for First Class service, their income could potentially be above the average Lufthansa cabin crew salary.
The First Class ordeal includes serving champagne and elaborate meals to the affluent. With trips to destinations like Shanghai, Bangkok, or Singapore, this career offers enticing layovers. Despite the lucrative salary, reaching an estimated €43,200 annually, it often necessitates missed personal events due to travel requirements. In the aerospace industry, First Class flight attendants' wages can be surprisingly high, comparable to or even surpassing the averages for Lufthansa cabin crew members.
