Senior Flight Attendant
Role Based in Des Plaines
Job Title: Senior Flight Attendant (Flexible Hours in Des Plaines) Hiring: Southwest Airlines Worksite: Des Plaines, IL (Local Candidate Preferred)
Compensation: $45-$60/Hour (approx. $54.6k/Year) (Competitive PT Rate) Benefits: Employee discounts and perks (where applicable). Perfect for students or those seeking supplemental income.
Day-to-Day
This role focuses on your professional skills with a schedule that fits your life.
- This Des Plaines-based role is an excellent opportunity for professionals skilled in customer service.
- Our Southwest Airlines team in Des Plaines, IL is growing.
- Benefit from working in Des Plaines, a key hub for the Aviation industry.
The Vibe
Experience, style, and uncompromising safety. We are seeking highly experienced aviation professionals to step into senior roles within our fleet. Elevate your career beyond basic airport jobs and standard airlines jobs. Bring your vast industry experience to a brand that values tenure, demands operational excellence, and rewards loyalty with incredible quality of life.
Your Mission
- Operational Mastery: Execute complex, high-volume boarding and deplaning procedures with effortless efficiency, protecting our vital on-time performance.
- Zone Leadership: Take charge of the cabin environment, ensuring junior crew members execute safety checks and service timelines to absolute perfection.
- Unflappable Resilience: Manage demanding passenger situations, severe weather disruptions, and complex logistical failures with deep emotional intelligence and calm authority.
The Payoff
Enjoy top-of-scale hourly rates, maximum flexibility in schedule bidding, immense guaranteed holiday leave, highly discounted interline travel, and comprehensive family health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Senior Flight Attendant position pay at Southwest Airlines?
This role offers a pay range of $45 - $60. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, base/airport, seniority, and shift at Southwest Airlines in Des Plaines.
Where is this Senior Flight Attendant job based?
This position is based at the airport serving Des Plaines, IL. Southwest Airlines operates at airports across the region, but this specific opening is tied to the Des Plaines base.
How long is training for this Senior Flight Attendant role?
Flight attendant training at Southwest Airlines is typically 3–6 weeks of paid, in-residence training at the airline's training center. You'll cover FAA safety procedures, emergency evacuations, first aid/CPR, service standards, and aircraft-specific equipment.
Does Southwest Airlines offer flight benefits for this role?
Yes. Southwest Airlines extends flight privileges to employees — free standby travel on the airline's flights and deeply discounted confirmed tickets worldwide — typically for you, your spouse, parents, and eligible children. Benefits start on Day 1 or within the first 30–90 days depending on role.
What health benefits does Southwest Airlines offer?
Southwest Airlines provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and an employee assistance program. Benefits usually start on Day 1 for full-time employees.
What does a typical schedule look like for this Senior Flight Attendant role?
Cabin crew typically fly 3–4 day trips on reserve initially, then move to line-holder status with more predictable schedules as seniority grows. Monthly flight hours average 75–85, with layovers in destination cities paid at a per-diem rate.
