United Airlines Reaches Tentative Labor Deal with Flight Attendants

United Airlines and its flight attendant union have reached a tentative labor agreement. If ratified by flight attendants, this would make United the final major U.S. carrier to finalize a labor deal with cabin crew members since the Covid-19 pandemic concluded.

This agreement, if ratified, would mark United as the last major U.S. airline to finalize a labor deal with its cabin crew since the conclusion of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Agreement Highlights

United stated that the agreement includes immediate pay raises and a top hourly rate of $100 by the contract's end. The deal also provides compensation for flight attendants during boarding and a total signing bonus of $740 million, to be distributed among all flight attendants.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing the flight attendants, confirmed the deal includes higher base pay, additional compensation for flight disruptions, and new restrictions on overnight flight assignments.

Background and Strategic Alignment

This labor agreement follows a previous deal proposed last July, which offered 26% immediate raises but was rejected by United flight attendants.

The current agreement also aligns with United's plans for an expansion of its premium cabins, featuring enhanced dining options and lie-flat seats.