Quick Answer
Most airlines provide hotel accommodations for flight attendants during layovers. The specifics vary by airline, but in general, flight attendants are put up in hotels that the airline has contracts with and do not have to pay for their rooms themselves.
Do Flight Attendants Stay in Hotels During Layovers?
Yes, flight attendants typically stay in hotels during layovers rather than commute back home. Layovers are the periods of time when flight attendants are required to stay overnight away from their home base between scheduled flights.
Layover lengths can vary greatly, from quick turnarounds of only 10-12 hours between flights, to stays of 24 hours or longer in certain destinations. Staying in a hotel allows flight attendants to rest between duty periods and be ready for their next scheduled flight.
Why Can’t Flight Attendants Just Commute Home?
There are several reasons why flight attendants stay in hotels during layovers rather than commuting home:
- Flight schedules often do not line up with the ability to commute home. A typical duty day for a flight attendant involves taking an outbound flight to a destination, then working a return flight home. The time between these flights may not be long enough to reasonably commute home and back.
- Airlines schedule layovers to allow for required crew rest periods between duty periods. Flight attendants need to stay in the layover city to adhere to mandated rest requirements before their next flight.
- Commuting adds additional travel time and cost. It is more efficient for flight attendants to stay near the airport they are working from.
- Flight delays or cancellations can impact carefully planned commutes. Hotels provide a flexible accommodation if schedules change.
- Flight attendants are required to be available at the airport if called upon for reserve duty. Commuting makes them unavailable.
Do Airlines Pay for Flight Attendant Hotel Rooms?
Yes, airlines cover the cost of hotel accommodations for flight attendants during layovers. The hotels are pre-arranged by the airline and rooms are booked and paid for directly by the airline.
Flight attendants do not have to pay for their layover accommodations out of pocket. The hotel costs are considered a standard business travel expense covered by the airline as part of the flight attendant’s job.
How Does the Airline Hotel Booking Process Work?
Airlines make arrangements with hotel chains to establish room contracts and rates for crew members in layover cities. The airline’s scheduling or operations team then books the required number of hotel rooms needed each day based on planned crew overnights and room availability.
Flight attendants are assigned a hotel room booking when they are awarded or assigned a trip pairing with an overnight layover. They do not have to make their own reservations. Upon check-in at the hotel, the room is already booked and paid for under the airline corporate account.
The airline is billed directly by the hotel and flight attendants do not have to provide any payment or personal credit card. All they need to do is provide airline employee identification at hotel check-in to confirm their booked reservation.
Do Flight Attendants Get to Choose Their Layover Hotel?
Most airlines pre-select the layover hotels used in each destination. Flight attendants do not typically have a choice of hotel brand or amenities. Their assigned hotel booking will depend on factors such as:
- Airline contract rates and room availability
- Proximity to the airport
- Crew transportation to/from airport provided
- Number of flight attendants needing rooms
The airline will aim to consistently use one or two preferred hotel properties in each layover city that meet crew needs. Only in very limited circumstances can flight attendants make special requests for different hotel accommodations due to personal circumstances.
What Type of Hotels Do Flight Attendants Stay In?
Airlines use a range of hotel brands and types for flight attendant accommodations, typically ranging from 2-4 star or midscale properties. Some factors that influence hotel selection:
- Location: Proximity to the airport is a top priority, with most layover hotels just a short 5-15 minute shuttle ride away.
- Room types: Standard rooms with two beds to accommodate crew members doubling up.
- Brand standards: Priority is placed on national chains with consistent service standards.
- Crew facilities: Some hotels provide dedicated crew lounges for flight attendants.
- Rates: Airline contracts get discounted room prices in exchange for bulk bookings.
While flight attendants don’t have luxury suite accommodations, the hotels provided are clean, comfortable and meet basic needs. Some of the common hotel chains used include Courtyard, Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place and Sheraton.
Do Flight Attendants Ever Share Rooms?
To reduce costs, airlines will often have flight attendants share hotel rooms, with two crew members per room during layovers.
Policies vary by airline, but room sharing is common practice. Flight attendants are assigned a roommate when trip pairings are awarded. Often roommates are paired based on similar schedules to coordinate seamlessly.
Having two attendants per room helps airlines keep hotel costs down with fewer rooms needed. Flight attendants are accustomed to sharing spaces while working on aircrafts, so it is generally accepted practice at most airlines.
Per Diem Allowances for Meals & Incidentals
In addition to hotel accommodations, flight attendants receive per diem allowances during layovers to cover meals and other incidental expenses.
Per diem rates, provided as a daily amount, vary by airline and destination city. They range from $1.50-$2.50 per flight hour to fixed amounts between $1.50-$2.50 per day.
These tax-free per diems give flight attendants funds for meals, snacks, transportation, and other needs during layovers without having to save receipts or submit expense reports.
Sample Per Diem Rates
| Airline | Domestic Layover Per Diem | International Layover Per Diem |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | $1.50 per hour | $2.00 per hour |
| United | $1.50 per hour | $2.00 per hour |
| American | $1.50-$1.80 per hour | $1.60-$2.20 per hour |
| Southwest | $1.50 per hour | $2.00 per hour |
| JetBlue | $1.50 per hour | $2.00 per hour |
Other Layover Considerations
Aside from hotel and meals, there are a few other logistical considerations for flight attendants during layovers:
- Transportation: Crew transportation between hotel and airport is usually provided by shuttle vans. Some hotels offer airport shuttle service.
- Communication: Flight attendants need to be reachable by airline dispatchers in case of schedule changes or irregular operations.
- Bag storage: Crew bags may need to be securely stored by the airline between duty periods if hotel rooms are shared.
- Fitness: Hotels are chosen to allow flight attendants options to exercise and stay active during layovers.
Staying in layover hotels between flights is a standard part of the job requirements for flight attendants at most airlines. Rather than a perk, hotel accommodations enable flight attendants to be present, rested and prepared for their duties in each location they operate to and from.
Conclusion
To summarize, the majority of airlines provide hotel accommodations at contracted rates for their flight attendants during layovers between duty periods. While details vary, in general the airline handles booking and directly pays for hotel rooms. Flight attendants do not have to cover hotel costs out of their own pocket or be reimbursed. Hotels are pre-determined by the airline and standard rooms are shared between two crew members. Per diem allowances are also provided for meals and incidentals. Staying in layover hotels is necessary for flight attendants to adhere to mandated rest requirements and be operationally ready for their next flight assignments.