Salary of Flight Attendants Who Died in Air India Plane Crash Released
- Newly disclosed salary figures have shown the actual earnings of the Air India Express flight attendants who perished in the recent plane crash
- Their annual pay ranged from ₹3.5 Lakhs to ₹14.2 Lakhs, equivalent to approximately $4,060 to $16,470 or ₦6.2 million to ₦25 million
- This disclosure further cast the light on the compensation standards in India’s aviation sector and the frontline workers behind its operations
The earnings of flight attendants who tragically lost their lives in the recent Air India Express crash have come into focus as new salary data emerged.
According to figures reported by AmbitionBox, cabin crew members employed by Air India Express (IX) in 2025 typically earned between ₹3.5 Lakhs and ₹14.2 Lakhs annually.
Source: Getty Images
In international terms, this translates to approximately $4,060 to $16,470 USD, or about ₦6.2 million to ₦25 milllion, based on prevailing exchange rates.
Entry-level attendants could expect monthly wages in the range of ₹53,000 to ₹54,000, equivalent to around $615 to $627 USD or ₦944,000 to ₦961,000 NGN.
Air India Express operates as a low-cost subsidiary of Air India (AI), the country’s flagship carrier. Despite being part of the same group, the two airlines function under distinctly different business models.
While Air India provides full-service operations connecting major international and domestic hubs, Air India Express focuses on budget-friendly travel, targeting underserved regional markets and acting as a feeder for its parent airline.
Source: Twitter
Air India express operates extensive network
Headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, Air India Express manages over 3,600 weekly flights to 55 destinations across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Its main operating base is Cochin Airport (COK), with additional hubs in Kannur, Cochin, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirappalli.
The airline operates a mixed fleet of 110 aircraft, 70 Boeing 737s and 40 Airbus A320s, primarily deployed to connect Tier-II and Tier-III cities with international destinations. These routes are serviced by cabin crew whose job conditions, pay scales, and workplace environments differ markedly from those of their colleagues at full-service Air India.
A spokesperson familiar with the matter stated: “Candidates considering careers as Cabin Crew at Air India Express (IX) should research the company’s hiring requirements and salary structures to plan their aviation industry trajectory.”
As tributes continue to pour in for the deceased crew members, their dedication and service have drawn renewed attention to the critical role frontline aviation staff play in keeping regional air travel accessible across the subcontinent.
Their compensation, though modest compared to international standards, underscores the economic realities of budget airline operations in India.
Families need space, not obsession - Psychologist
A clinical psychologist, Samuel Atilola, has advised that grieving families of the Air India crash victims should be gently supported through their mourning process rather than overwhelmed with endless information.
“They want answers to innumerable questions,” Atilola told Legit.ng.
“And while this isn't going to bring back their loved ones, it may sometimes quieten the noise of ‘what ifs and how comes’ in their head.”
He warned that obsessively searching for answers could hinder emotional healing.
“If the search for answers is becoming obsessive and perhaps delaying the crucial process of acceptance, then it may be okay for those around the mourners to try to limit access to news sources,” the psychologist said.
He added that grief support becomes clinically necessary when it disrupts a person’s life over time.
“Psychosocial intervention only becomes necessary when the process of grief appears to be dragging on forever and causing a prolonged drop in the person's functioning and quality of life,” he said.
Pilot’s monthly and annual salary in India
Legit.ng earlier reported that aviation remains one of the most financially rewarding professions in India. The salary structure for pilots varies widely depending on several factors, including experience, designation, aircraft type, and the airline they serve.
According to Aviaton Magazine, at the initial stage of their careers, Indian pilots typically earn between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakhs per month. This range equals approximately ₦1.89 million to ₦5.67 million.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a clinical psychologist for this report.
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Source: Legit.ng
