What is a passenger service agent and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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The flying experience begins in the airport, not when the plane takes off from the runway. Booking tickets, checking in at the airport terminal, and following safety requirements are all part of the air travel experience. Passenger service agents are crucial in providing an excellent on-the-ground experience for air travelers.

Passenger service agents do a variety of tasks, from helping passengers book an urgent flight to assisting confused passengers with check-in procedures. They are ready with a smile to meet a passenger's needs--even if the passenger themselves is less than gracious. Dealing with angry passengers and deescalating tense situations are a regular part of a passenger service agent's job.

The passenger service agent is based in one airport, unlike flight attendants who travel from place to place. Like flight attendants, their schedule is a far cry from regular 9-to-5 office hours. Passenger service agents can work day shifts and night shifts, and even overtime when they need to. Whenever there are passengers traveling, there is a passenger service agent greeting them with a smile, no matter the time of the day.

ScorePassenger Service AgentUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,675

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
8.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.24%

Asian 9.10%

Black or African American 10.65%

Hispanic or Latino 25.81%

Unknown 6.32%

White 46.87%

Gender

female 59.48%

male 40.52%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress Level
8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
4.8

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.3

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Passenger Service Agent career paths

Key steps to become a passenger service agent

  1. Explore passenger service agent education requirements

    Most common passenger service agent degrees

    Bachelor's

    38.0 %

    High School Diploma

    26.3 %

    Associate

    20.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific passenger service agent skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Reservations54.95%
    Reservation System11.00%
    Passenger Service7.58%
    English Language4.22%
    Ticket Counter4.10%
  3. Complete relevant passenger service agent training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New passenger service agents learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a passenger service agent based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real passenger service agent resumes.
  4. Research passenger service agent duties and responsibilities

    • Help troubleshoot and fix technology problems over-the-counter with clients while offering professional services to help achieve business goals.
    • Computerize check-in, verify documentation, ticket, seat reservations and seat assignments for passengers traveling on international flights.
    • Operate tugs, belt loaders, jet bridge and carts.
    • Operate tugs, belt loaders, power units, and fuel trucks.
  5. Prepare your passenger service agent resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your passenger service agent resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a passenger service agent resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Passenger Service Agent Resume templates

    Build a professional Passenger Service Agent resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Passenger Service Agent resume.
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    Passenger Service Agent Resume
  6. Apply for passenger service agent jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a passenger service agent job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Passenger Service Agent Job

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Average passenger service agent salary

The average Passenger Service Agent salary in the United States is $29,675 per year or $14 per hour. Passenger service agent salaries range between $23,000 and $37,000 per year.

Average Passenger Service Agent Salary
$29,675 Yearly
$14.27 hourly

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How do passenger service agents rate their job?

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Passenger Service Agent reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

The pros of course are that the airline industry is exciting and amazing, industry. Witch from the outside looks so exciting but when you get there, you realize that flight benefits sound amazing but when you’re paid at a rate of minimum wage and most sentences are a slightly higher may be up to $60.50 an hour for new hires. You can’t fly anywhere so don’t be don’t be fooled by the recruiters he will not be traveling are you off that you can’t afford the hotels what you get to your destination low.

Cons

Super super low pay major turnover rate of at least 40 to 50% depending on the company you work for so the team is constantly changing which address to the to the job and that the team doesn’t really have time to ever gel because most people don’t stay there more than a year year


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I like the fact that the environment is fast paced. I like working the gate area. I like boarding the passengers and I like interacting with the pilots and flight attendants.

Cons

I dislike the rude passengers.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

What I like the most is to give customer service to those who need it.

Cons

I don’t like when I look around and I see people that needs service and they be ignored


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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