First
What Is Reserve? (The Big Concept)
Reserve
Being on-call. You don't know your trips in advance — the airline calls you to cover open flights. At most airlines, new FAs spend the majority of their month on reserve for years. Delta is a notable exception.
Holding a Line
A set, predictable monthly schedule of assigned trips that you "bid" for. You know weeks in advance exactly where you're going and when you'll be home. At Delta, every FA is a line holder from Day 1 — this is unique in the industry.
Seniority
Everything in the airline world runs on seniority — your hire date relative to colleagues. Senior = better trips, better routes, more control over your schedule. Junior = less desirable trips and more A-days.
A-Day (Delta)
Delta's on-call days. Every Delta FA — even brand new ones — holds a real monthly schedule of assigned trips, but also has 6 A-days per month where they must be available to cover open flights. That's it. Just 6 days of on-call per month, versus 18–19 at airlines like United.
Reserve (JetBlue)
JetBlue uses a more traditional reserve system for junior FAs. You're assigned a 10-hour on-call window each day. Within that window, you may be called to cover a flight. Outside of it, you're free. This is considered one of the better reserve systems in the industry — but it's still traditional reserve, unlike Delta's A-Day approach.
Days Off (DO)
Guaranteed days off — you cannot be called in. At Delta, the rest of your month beyond your 6 A-days is either a scheduled trip or a day off. At JetBlue on reserve, you're guaranteed roughly 11–13 days off per month.
Compare
Delta vs. JetBlue at a Glance
| Category | ✦ Delta Air Lines | ✦ JetBlue Airways |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Base Strength | Very established — BOS is a major JFK/BOS focus city Strong base |
BOS is one of JetBlue's most important focus cities Excellent base |
| Reserve System Type | A-Day system — unique in the industry. Every FA, including brand-new hires, holds a real schedule from Day 1. You are NOT on traditional reserve. You have 6 A-days (on-call days) per month, and the rest is scheduled trips or days off. Industry-best for new hires |
Traditional reserve with 10-hour daily windows. Junior FAs are on-call most of the month. Each on-call day has a defined 10-hour window — you're free outside of it. Considered one of the better traditional reserve systems in the industry. Better than most, still traditional reserve |
| On-Call Days per Month (new hire) | Only 6 A-days per month — from Day 1, forever. The rest of your month is either a scheduled trip (you know it in advance) or a day off. Compare: United FAs face 18–19 on-call days per month. 6 days on-call vs. 18–19 elsewhere |
~15–17 days on reserve while junior. ~11–13 guaranteed days off per month. Typical new-hire reserve structure |
| How Far in Advance Do You Know Your Schedule? | Your monthly schedule (trips + 6 A-days) is published around the 16th of the prior month. You know most of your month weeks ahead. On an A-day itself, you can be called with as little as 2 hours notice — but you know which 6 days those are well in advance. | On reserve, you know your on-call days in advance and your 10-hour daily window — but not whether you'll actually be called, or where you'll go, until the call comes. Outside your window, you're free to plan. |
| Commute / Airport Proximity | Must live within commutable range of BOS or commute via standby. Being local in MA is a significant advantage. | Same. BOS is a focus city so more flights = more standby options if ever needed. |
| How Long Until You "Hold a Line"? | You hold a line from Day 1. There is no waiting period. The only question is seniority over time — as you gain it, you'll bid for better trips, better routes, and fewer A-days (some senior FAs have 0 or 3 A-days instead of 6). Immediate line-holding |
BOS can move relatively fast for JetBlue — some FAs hold a real line within 12–24 months depending on class sizes and attrition. Until then, traditional reserve applies. Est. 1–3 years at BOS |
| Typical Trips When Called | 1–4 day trips. You may work a quick 1-day turn or be gone for 3 nights. You often won't know until called. | Similar mix. JetBlue is known for more domestic focus, so shorter trips are common from BOS. |
| Overall New-Hire Schedule Quality | Genuinely the best new-hire scheduling system in the U.S. major airline industry. You are a line holder from Day 1 with only 6 on-call days per month. This is not a matter of opinion — it's a structural advantage with no real equivalent elsewhere. Best in class |
Consistently praised on FA forums as one of the better traditional reserve systems in the industry. The 10-hour window makes life more manageable than open-ended on-call. Still, it is traditional reserve — a genuine adjustment period. Above average for traditional reserve |
Journey
The Path from Day One to Holding a Line
✦ Delta
Months 1–2
Training (Atlanta)
~6–8 weeks of training at Delta's Atlanta headquarters. You're away from home for most of this. Covers safety, service, emergency drills, and aircraft systems. Pay during training is modest but you are compensated.
From Day 1 of Flying
You're Already a Line Holder 🎉
This is the Delta difference. Unlike every other major U.S. airline, you receive a real monthly schedule immediately — specific trips, specific dates, specific destinations. You know where you're going weeks in advance. You are not on traditional reserve.
Every Month, Always
6 A-Days Per Month
Alongside your scheduled trips and days off, you'll have 6 A-days each month where you must be available to cover open flights if called. You know which 6 days they are in advance. On those days, you could be called with a couple hours notice — or not called at all. That's your only "reserve" obligation.
Years 2–5+ (BOS)
Seniority = Better Trips
As seniority grows, you bid for progressively better trips — preferred routes, longer layovers in great cities, fewer early-morning sign-ins. Some senior FAs get down to 3 or even 0 A-days. The structure stays the same; the quality keeps improving.
✦ JetBlue
Months 1–2
Training (Orlando or NYC)
~6 weeks of training at JetBlue's training center. Paid at a training rate. Covers safety, service, and aircraft systems. JetBlue culture (Mint service, brand values) is woven throughout.
Months 2–6
Probationary Reserve
On-call via JetBlue's 10-hour daily window system. You're assigned a window each day — if the call comes within that window, you go. Outside your window, you're free to make plans. This is generally considered more livable than traditional reserve.
Months 6–18+
Reserve Continues
Same 10-hour window system. BOS seniority at JetBlue can move relatively faster due to the focus city's staffing needs and JetBlue's growth history. Some FAs hold a line within 12–18 months.
Year 1–3 (BOS estimate)
Holding a Line 🎉
Bid for a monthly schedule. JetBlue's BOS focus means more domestic routes and options. Mint routes (premium service) become available with more seniority — and carry higher pay.
Money
What Does the Pay Look Like?
Flight attendants are paid by the credit hour (or flight hour), not by the day or shift. You're generally only paid while the aircraft door is closed and moving. At JetBlue on reserve, a monthly minimum guarantee applies. At Delta, because you have scheduled trips from Day 1, you're paid for actual hours flown — which tends to add up faster.
✦ Delta — New Hire (Year 1)
~$33–38
per flight hour (starting rate per Delta pay scale)
How pay is calculated
By actual flight hours flown (no monthly minimum guarantee needed — you have scheduled trips)
Typical hours flown/month
~75–85 hrs (scheduled trips + A-day pickups)
Annual (Year 1 estimate)
~$33k–$45k
Per diem (tax-free)
$2.20/hr domestic, $2.70/hr international
Benefits
Excellent — health, 401k, profit sharing
✦ JetBlue — Reserve (Years 1–2)
~$28–38
per credit/flight hour (Year 1 rate, recent contract)
Guaranteed minimum hours/mo
~71–75 hrs
Monthly pay (minimum guarantee)
~$2,000–$2,900/mo
If you fly more than minimum
Paid for actual hours flown
Annual (Year 1 estimate)
~$28k–$35k
Benefits
Good — health, 401k, travel perks
✦ Delta — With Seniority (Years 3–7)
~$48–60
per flight hour by years 5–7 (Delta pay scale)
Typical hours flown/mo
75–90 hrs (your choice via bidding)
Monthly pay (rough estimate)
~$3,600–$5,400/mo
Annual estimate (Yr 5)
~$45k–$65k
Profit sharing bonus
Delta profit sharing can add thousands/yr
Days worked per month
~12–17 "trip" days (lots of time off)
✦ JetBlue — Holding a Line (Years 2–4+)
~$45–60
per flight hour by years 4–6 (JetBlue pay scale)
Typical hours flown/mo
75–90 hrs (bid what you want)
Monthly pay (rough estimate)
~$3,400–$5,400/mo
Annual estimate (Yr 4–5)
~$42k–$60k
Mint route premium
Premium cabin flights pay more
Days worked per month
~12–17 "trip" days (significant time off)
Reality
The Honest Picture for Your Household
| Question | The Answer | |
|---|---|---|
| "How many days a month will he be gone?" | At Delta: He'll have scheduled trips he knows about in advance, plus 6 A-days where he could be called. Realistically, most new Delta FAs work 12–16 days per month of actual flying, with the rest as guaranteed days off or unactivated A-days. At JetBlue: On reserve, he'll have ~11–13 guaranteed days off, and the remaining ~17–19 days are on-call windows — he may or may not be called on any given one. | |
| "Will we know in advance when he works?" | At Delta: largely yes, from Day 1. His schedule is published around the 16th of the prior month. He'll know his trips and his 6 A-days well in advance. The only uncertainty is whether he gets called on those 6 A-days. At JetBlue on reserve: mostly no — the 10-hour daily window helps, but whether he works and where he goes isn't known until the call comes. This improves once he holds a line (est. 1–3 years at BOS). | |
| "How long until life feels normal again?" | At Delta: relatively quickly. The structured schedule from Day 1 means the adjustment is mostly about adapting to the work itself, not to chaos. By month 3–6 (after training + probation), most Delta FAs feel settled. As seniority grows, trips just get better. At JetBlue: The reserve adjustment period is real — 12–24 months is a typical BOS timeline before holding a line and gaining real predictability. | |
| "What will he actually make?" | Delta Year 1: roughly $33k–$45k, plus tax-free per diem and exceptional benefits including profit sharing. JetBlue Year 1: roughly $28k–$35k, plus per diem and solid benefits. By year 5 at either airline: $45k–$70k+, with real flexibility over how much he flies. Free and heavily discounted travel for both of you worldwide starts Day 1 at either airline. | |
| "Is this sustainable for our family?" | Given your income situation, the salary in Year 1 is the least of it. The bigger question is schedule. Delta's Day-1 line-holding is a genuine quality-of-life advantage — he'll be a known quantity in the household from the start. JetBlue's reserve period requires more flexibility and tolerance for uncertainty. Either way, most FA spouses say the long-term schedule — once settled — is genuinely excellent for family life. | |
Perks
Travel Benefits: What You Both Get
This is the perk people are always talking about. Both airlines extend significant free and discounted travel to employees and their immediate families — starting essentially from Day 1. Here's what that actually looks like.
✦ Delta Travel Benefits
Employee (Chris)
Free standby travel on Delta, worldwide
Spouse
Free standby travel — unlimited
Dependent children
Free standby travel
Parents
Free standby travel (slightly lower boarding priority when traveling solo)
When benefits start
As soon as HR processes your eligibility — essentially from Day 1
S2 priority days
8 higher-priority standby days/year for employee + spouse/companion
Buddy passes
Being phased out — eliminated by 2026. Extended family/friends lose this perk.
"Fly Confirmed for Less"
Confirmed (not standby) tickets at ~15% below retail — a real option when standby is too risky
Interline / ZED travel
Standby travel on many other airlines worldwide at deeply discounted ZED fares — available after 6 months
Jumpseat
FA jumpseats available for personal travel on Delta mainline flights
Boarding priority (cabin)
Non-revs clear from front of plane to back — real shot at first class if seats are open
✦ JetBlue Travel Benefits
Employee (Chris)
Free standby travel on JetBlue, worldwide
Spouse / domestic partner
Free standby travel — unlimited
Dependent children
Free standby travel (up to age ~24)
Parents
Free standby travel (lower priority when traveling without employee)
When benefits start
From Day 1 of employment
"Super Passes"
4 per year — temporarily bumps your priority to near the top of the standby list
Buddy passes
16 segments/year (roughly 8 round trips) for friends and extended family
Discounted confirmed tickets
20% off for employee, spouse, parents, and dependent children
Interline / ZED travel
Agreements with many international carriers for deeply discounted standby (e.g. Lufthansa, Air France, others)
Mint (business class)
Available standby but a $75 listing fee applies (refundable if you don't clear). Seats are easier to snag on non-rev than you'd expect.
Boarding priority
Check-in time based (not seniority) — check in at the 24-hour mark to maximize your position
| The Real Talk on Non-Rev Travel | What You Should Know | |
|---|---|---|
| "Is it really free?" | For domestic travel: yes, essentially free. For international: you pay government taxes and fees (often $50–$200 range), but the ticket itself is free. Both airlines. Big trips that would cost $2,000+ in tickets can cost you $80 in taxes. | |
| "Is standby reliable?" | It depends entirely on the route and timing. Tuesday morning to a mid-tier city? Often a cakewalk. Christmas Eve to Fort Lauderdale? You might be sleeping in the airport. The golden rule: never non-rev on a trip where missing the flight ruins everything. Use it for flexible, spontaneous travel — and it becomes extraordinary. | |
| "Can I (the spouse) travel alone?" | Yes, at both airlines — your spouse can send you on a trip without being with you. Your boarding priority is slightly lower when traveling solo (without the employee), but it works. Millions of airline spouses do this regularly. | |
| "What about other airlines?" | Both Delta and JetBlue have ZED (interline) agreements with dozens of other carriers — meaning you can fly standby on, say, Lufthansa or Air France at deeply discounted rates. This is how FA families end up in places you'd never expect. Delta's ZED network is particularly extensive. JetBlue's eligibility for ZED starts after 6 months. | |
| "What does this mean practically for us?" | With two adults whose kids are grown, this benefit is genuinely life-changing for the right kind of travelers. Weekend trips become almost free. International travel becomes accessible in a way it simply isn't for most families. The main cost is flexibility — you need to be the kind of travelers who can roll with uncertainty, at least some of the time. The "Fly Confirmed for Less" option at Delta (and the 20% discount at JetBlue) is your safety valve when you truly need to be somewhere. | |
A note on these numbers: Pay rates, seniority timelines, and reserve specifics are based on publicly available contract information, FA community reports (including r/cabincrewcareers), and industry sources as of 2024–2025. Exact figures depend on contract negotiations, base staffing levels, and class sizes — which can shift. These should be treated as informed estimates, not guarantees. For precise current rates, check the Delta MEC and JetBlue JSPA contract documents.