People are constantly asking me, "Which is the best airline to work for?" Because of all the variables involved, I can't answer that question for you without more information; you have to answer it for yourself. I can give you some guidelines to consider when choosing the airline you would most like to work for.
LOCATION: Do you want to remain living where you currently reside? If so, you should look for airlines that have a domicile in your town. While there is no guarantee that you will be based there right out of training, you will at least have that option in the future. If they don't have a domicile in your town, then you will always have to commute to your domicile to begin your workday, and may even have to travel there the day before and spend the night in a hotel at your own expense, just to ensure you can check-in for your working flight on time.
Or are you ready to explore new places and new locales? Perhaps you've always wanted to live in New York City, but knew you would never be able to afford to move there without first having a job. You could select airlines that have flight attendant bases in JFK, EWR, LGA or ISP. All these airports would be within reach of the New York City area.
SCHEDULE: Do you want to be home every night, if possible, and not spend any nights away from home? Do you have children or spouses/family/significant others who you want to spend as much time with as possible? Then you would want to concentrate on the Regional carriers that usually have shorter runs, and fewer overnights.
If travel is what you desire, then the larger international airlines or charter airlines would be a better choice. Their longer trips and foreign destinations will give you more layovers and interesting destinations. You may be gone for longer periods of time, but you will be seeing parts of the world that your friends can only dream of.
SKILLS: Do you speak a foreign language? Then choose the airlines that fly to destinations where your language skills would be an asset. If you're a resident alien from Germany, you might choose an airline with flights to Germany so you can easily visit your relatives.
INTERESTS: Are you a South American history major? Do you collect Asian Art? Are you a professional surfer, rock climber, runner or biker? All these are things to consider when choosing your ideal airline. Once you have chosen the airlines that best meet your desires, you can go to their websites and investigate the companies further and refine your choice.
HIGHEST PAID: This is actually the last reason to choose an airline. As stated throughout this guide, there are no guarantees in this industry. You may start working for the airline that pays its Flight Attendants the highest salary in the industry, only to have your salary reduced by cutbacks or pay cuts due to slumps in the industry, bankruptcy or corporate takeover. If you live in an area with a low cost of living, and choose an airline that pays more, but requires you to live in an area with a high cost of living, such as New York City, or San Francisco- then your higher salary is being lost to your food and lodging. Keep in mind that just because an airline pays more, doesn't necessarily mean it's a better company to work for.
So which is the best airline to work for? The one that you choose to best satisfy your personal needs, skills, and interests.