Probation
The initial months of employment during which the airline can end your contract at short notice — and at some carriers pays you less.
Definition
Probation is the trial period at the start of a cabin crew contract, commonly three to six months and at some airlines the full first year, during which either side can end the employment at short notice and the airline formally assesses you on the line. It usually starts at the joining date, so initial training counts, and it is closed by a review with your base manager or a check flight. In the UAE and Qatar, labour law caps probation at six months.
What it means for you
Probation is when the airline is still deciding, so attendance, punctuality and grooming notes matter far more than they will later; a pattern of sick calls in the first months is the classic way a promising joiner is let go. It can also mean lower pay, a smaller allowance package or no staff travel until it ends. Read your contract for the exact length and what confirms you, and treat the first line checks as the exam they are.
In practice
IndiGo pays probationary crew roughly ₹30,000-40,000 a month and confirmed crew ₹40,000-55,000, so passing probation is a direct pay rise; at Gulf carriers probation runs up to six months and ends with a review rather than a raise.
Go deeper
Related terms
4 terms- Crew contractRecruitmentThe agreement fixing your pay structure, base, contract length, training bond and notice — read it before you resign from anything.
- Offer letterRecruitmentThe airline's formal job offer after selection — conditional on medical, background and visa — with a joining date weeks or months away.
- InductionRecruitmentYour administrative first days at the airline — ID, uniform fitting, contracts, systems access — before safety training begins.
- Check flight attendantRoles & ranksA crew member who conducts formal line checks on operating crew, observing a live flight and grading procedures and standards.