This weekend, Belgian media daily outlet Het Laatste Nieuws highlighted the earnings of 22-year-old student cabin crew member Tiana Van Bastelaer at Brussels Airlines, suggesting she earns around €3,100 net per month. While eye-catching, the full picture of student cabin crew compensation is more complex.
Training: intensive and unpaid
Before starting flights, student cabin crew undergo a 37-day training programme, covering safety procedures, aircraft equipment, and emergency scenarios — the same as full-time staff. This programme takes place over weekends and public holidays and is unpaid.
Brussels Airlines spokesperson Nico Cardone emphasised that the training is free of charge (unlike past practices at Sabena, when candidates had to pay) and that the unpaid status applies both to students and to newly hired permanent cabin crew. Candidates are informed of this during selection and in the job offer, allowing them to decide whether to proceed with the programme.
Salary breakdown and reality
Media coverage focused on the €3,100 net figure, but the base gross salary for cabin crew is around €2,200 per month. The apparent higher net income is due to:
- Job student status: Reduced social security contributions temporarily increase take-home pay.
- Flight allowances: Per diems, compensation for flight hours, and hotel stays, which vary depending on the schedule.
Conclusion
Tiana Van Bastelaer’s experience demonstrates both the appeal and challenges of a student cabin crew role. While the net income may appear attractive, it is influenced by temporary financial advantages and variable allowances, and the intensive, unpaid training requires substantial commitment. Aviation24.be notes that the media coverage presents a somewhat “rosy” picture of Tiana’s earnings. But if becoming a cabin crew member is your dream job, you should go for it!
