At United, employees still get to hand out buddy passes to their friends and family, but the scope is very limited. According to the airline, employees and their families may receive travel privileges which include discounted rates and unlimited standby travel.
What benefits does United Airlines have?
great standard health benefits. the best benefit is that employees and their families have the option to fly anywhere in the world for free on a standby ticket. Health Insurance benefits are very good, especially the Wellness credit to be used for medical expenses.
Do airlines have to compensate for delayed flights?
There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. If your flight is experiencing a long delay, ask airline staff if they will pay for meals or a hotel room.
Does United pay for flight attendant training?
United Airlines currently offers a 7 week long training program for new flight attendants. The training takes place in Chicago, Illinois. The airlines will provide you with hotel accommodations along with breakfast and lunch. They also provide a $140/week stipend to cover other expenses you might incur. Upon completion of the training program, new flight attendants are also given a one time $1,000 bonus.
What does United Airlines offer?
United Wi-Fi plans and subscriptions
- Monthly and yearly United Wi-Fi subscriptions
- Wi-Fi Day Pass
- Onboard purchase options. Whether you just want to text your friends or need to power through some projects while you’re in the air, there’s a United Wi-Fi plan for you.
See more
What are the benefits of working for an airline?
One of the perks of working for an airline is "free" travel to anywhere that carrier or its partners fly, but there are plenty of conditions.
Who can get Southwest travel benefits?
Employees receive free, unlimited travel privileges and can offer their Southwest travel benefits to their eligible dependents: spouses or committed registered partner, eligible dependent children 19 or younger (24 if they are full-time students), and parents.
What is non revenue passenger?
Airline employees traveling for pleasure are referred to as "non-revenue passengers.". In other words, the carrier isn't making any money off them, so they're prioritized below the lowest paying revenue passenger (including those traveling on award tickets). Most airline employees also fly standby, so they won't know if they're going ...
Does United Airlines give buddy passes?
United Airlines Buddy Pass Policies. At United, employees still get to hand out buddy passes to their friends and family , but the scope is very limited. According to the airline, employees and their families may receive travel privileges which include discounted rates and unlimited standby travel.
Does Delta Buddy Pass work?
Delta Buddy Pass Policies. Much like American, Delta employees get to extend their travel privileges to friends and family. However, how it applies is a different policy than their Dallas-based counterpart. After successfully working for Delta for 30 days, employees are allowed to use their free travel benefits to see the world.
Can friends and family travel on non-revenue airlines?
Sometimes friends and family can get in on the "non-revenue passenger" travel. Each airline has different policies and procedures for an employee's "non-revenue" guest, ranging from buddy passes to full-out booking options. Here are the policies of four major airlines in the U.S.
Can you add friends to your flight attendant list?
Employees must select their friends eligible for "non-revenue" travel in December for the next year. After the deadline passes, no friends can be added to their list.
What are the travel privileges for employees?
Travel privileges: Employees and their immediate family members, including their parents, enjoy reduced-rate travel privileges. In addition, employees with at least six months of service will receive special travel passes, including buddy passes that can be given to friends and extended family members.
What are the benefits of a commuter?
Commuter benefits program: Employees may use pre-tax or after-tax dollars to purchase transit and/or parking passes/tickets for commuting between home and work. Employee discounts: Employees have access to special discounts and offers for great savings on products, services, entertainment and travel.
Does United provide sick leave?
The sick leave policy gives both full- and part-time employees time off from work with pay when ill or unable to work. Business travel accident insurance: United provides this coverage for all employees immediately.
How standby travel works as an airline employee
I was an intern in JetBlue’s headquarters in Long Island City, New York. (Photo by Stella Shon/The Points Guy)
Your standby benefits extend to immediate family
At JetBlue, your standby benefits as a full-time employee extend to your immediate family (spouse, dependent children and parents). Airline employees will also get buddy passes throughout the year, handing them out to extended family or friends.
How to work the odds in your favor
Now that I’ve given a brief rundown, here’s how you can work standby travel in your favor. While some of it’s luck, there’s actually more strategy involved.
Spontaneity is the spice of life
Thanks to JetBlue offering free in-flight Wi-Fi, I could then plan the rest of my trip once I got a confirmed seat and was en route to my destination. Depending on where I was going, I would only bring enough clothes for a day trip. I would look at last-minute hotels or Airbnbs on the flight.
Bottom line
As someone who’s quite spontaneous already, I loved the thrill of non-revenue travel and exploring a new destination for a fraction of the cost. However, as I returned to a “normal” paying passenger, I also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a confirmed booking and the ability to earn points and miles and work toward elite status .
