United
Airlines and its flight attendants’ union, the Association of Flight
Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), have tentatively reached their first new labor agreement
in about six years. If ratified, this would make United the last major U.S.
airline to finalize a post-pandemic deal with its cabin crews.
It would mean
bigger paychecks, better scheduling and other long-overdue changes for the carrier’s
roughly 30,000 flight attendants. The tentative contract is subject to approval
by the AFA-CWA’s Master Executive Council, including all Local Presidents, and must
also be ratified by its flight attendant membership.
The deal would result
in immediate pay increases upon approval, with top hourly wages climbing to
$100 by the end of the contract, making United’s flight attendants the top-paid
in the industry. It also adds compensation for boarding times, covers long
stretches between flights and includes a signing bonus package worth a total of
$740 million.
If it’s
ultimately accepted by all parties, the contract would be valid for five years before
becoming amendable again.
According to CNBC,
this new deal comes after flight attendants rejected a previous labor contract
in July 2025 that would have included immediate pay raises of 26 percent.
The timing is also
worth noting, as United has been investing heavily in upgrading its premium
cabins with new seats that convert to lie-flat beds and providing improved onboard
dining options.
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