Here are some of the best side gigs to make money as a flight attendant. I've focused on ideas you can start with your current skill set and that take advantage of your profession. They are all flexible enough to be done during rest periods between flights.
Start a travel vlog during your layovers
Whether you work domestic or international, you travel far more than the average person as a flight attendant. If you have long enough layovers to leave the airport and explore the local city, you could create a blog of your experiences.
You could focus the vlog on a certain niche, for instance, trying the best burger in every city in America, or you could keep it more personal and organic. Creating content will be enjoyable and rewarding, whether you grow to the point of monetization or not.
It will take at least a few months before you should expect to see revenue, so this is not an option if you need money quickly, but it has good earning potential if you stay consistent and find some level of success.
And once you do have viewers, you could also consider joining Amazon's affiliate program, recommending travel products for commission, and further increasing your earnings from the side gig.
Make quick money on earning sites between flights
While you may have some downtime between flights, for many of you it won't be long enough to get out of the airport. But if you want to monetize that time in the airport, I suggest you check out earning sites like Freecash, which allow you to make money on your phone.
Freecash will pay you for completing simple tasks online, like testing new games and services. Complete tasks, earn funds, then choose how you want to withdraw, including bank transfer and PayPal.
Flip souvenirs you buy during layovers
What is an obvious advantage of getting to be a flight attendant? You travel to new places for free. And if you're a more senior attendant, that might also mean you travel on international flights. If that applies to you, consider buying local goods that can be flipped online back home.
You won't turn a profit on tourist shop fridge magnets shaped like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But if you delve into local markets and pick up, say, regional snacks from Japan, Talavera Pottery from Mexico, or Maasai jewelry from Kenya, you could definitely make some extra cash each month.
Investigate what could be worth buying before you go, get the items as cheaply as you can, then list them on Ebay or Facebook Marketplace.
Sell travel photography as stock images
If photography interests you, this is a slow burn side hustle that you might really enjoy. Bring a camera with you, take nice photographs of the places you visit, upload them to Shutterstock, and over time you will begin generating passive income whenever Shutterstock's customers download them.
You are unlikely to make a significant amount from this side hustle unless you are a prolific photographer. With the emergence of AI, the market for stock photos has shrunk. That said, you can still make money from this idea, and it should also be creatively rewarding.
A tip for stock photography: Although artistically less compelling, focus on neutral photos of everyday activities and environments, which there is a much greater demand for.
Offer trip planning services
As you know the ins and outs of travel, from secret airport tips to the most underrated locations, you could consider freelance travel planning to make extra money as a flight attendant. This will involve creating itineraries and making bookings, as well as being a point of contact for your clients while on the trip.
The real challenge with this idea, as with all freelancer pursuits, is that you need to get your first few clients and reviews before anyone will see your profile on a site like Upwork. Although annoying, the best approach here is to market your services at a heavily discounted price, at least for the first few clients.
Deliver food during your time off
Although a lot less flashy or fun than all the other ideas, I want to offer a suggestion that can be started within a week and will earn consistent income from day one. It might not have high long-term earning potential, but you could put music or a podcast in and DoorDash in the evenings or on the weekend.
The work is fairly autonomous, you barely have to interact with customers (a welcome break for flight attendants) and you have great flexibility to choose when for how long you will work.
