This has been a mighty long process, so let’s hope things go more smoothly this time than last time…
In this post:
United & AFA reach tentative agreement on new contract
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) and United Airlines have announced that they’ve reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for 30,000 flight attendants. For some background, in recent years we’ve seen flight attendants at most major airlines in the United States negotiate new contracts, following the pandemic.
Delta flight attendants aren’t unionized, so they get proactive pay raises, but don’t negotiate new contracts in the same way, since they don’t have collective bargaining. Meanwhile the only major airline where flight attendants haven’t received a new contract is United.
Around the middle of 2025, a tentative agreement was reached for a new contract at United. However, flight attendants ended up rejecting the contract in a vote, with 71% of the membership base voting against the contract. This has been a really drawn out negotiation process, and it has certainly caused some bad blood between management and the union.
The full tentative agreement will be presented to union leadership on April 1, 2026, and full details are expected to be made public on April 3. Assuming leadership approves of the contract, voting among flight attendants will take place between April 23 and May 12, and then the new contract would go into effect as of May 31, 2026.
United has obviously been improving financially in recent years, and is increasingly moving out of American’s league and into Delta’s league. However, United has also had a major advantage when it comes to labor costs, given the number of employee work groups that don’t have new contracts.
It’ll be interesting to see what this new contract includes
Back in 2025 when flight attendants voted on the first contract, the agreement included the following (or so it was described):
- Industry leading compensation
- Industry leading retro pay
- Hotel, scheduling, reserve, and other quality of life improvements
- In the first year alone, flight attendants would gain 40% of total economic improvements
It was actually a very competitive contract, but flight attendants wanted an industry leading contract, and there were some specific provisions the membership base wasn’t happy about. It seems that with this updated contract, flight attendants can expect the following incremental improvements over the last contract:
- Improved base pay rates
- Restrictions on redeye flying
- Sit pay for scheduled and rescheduled sits of over 2.5 hours
- Increased retro pay
- Improved language in hotels and electronic notifications
United’s management notes how top wage rates for flight attendants will reach $100 per hour by the end of the agreement, making United flight attendants the best paid in the industry.
We don’t yet know the details of the new contract, but for context, below was the new pay scale that was proposed during the 2025 contract negotiations, and it’s noted that rates have gone up since then.
Bottom line
United flight attendants and management have reached a new tentative agreement on a contract, after the membership overwhelming rejected the 2025 contract proposal. We don’t yet know the full details of the new contract, but it sounds like there are some incremental improvements over the previous version.
I hope that flight attendants are happy with this and that it gets ratified, so that this tension between management and employees goes away. For that matter, it’ll be very interesting to see how this impacts United’s financial performance as well…
What do you make of United flight attendants once again having a tentative agreement?
After a little over 10 years with no pay raises. And a year and a half with reduced amount of pay from Covid. And 3 and a half years of much higher than normal inflation reaching 10.3% it’s good not great. It’s were it should be not more not less.and it’s only a leading contract because the other airlines reached there agreements over two years ago.
$100 per hour for FA? It is no like being a pilot or mechanic. Well I do hope when there is a crisis next time, the tax payer will be on the hook to save or keep them afloat. Yes, FA is hard job, but like retail hard, not like it requires exntesive knowledge or experience.
"$100 per hour for FA?"
That is the top rate and the equivalent of about half that rate/annual compensation for most other hourly wage jobs as crews only get paid that when they are on the plane or about a third of the time they are on a trip.
Ok, can customers get good service next? Please?
They’re still not getting paid for all the time they’re on the clock. If they’re required to be at the airport in uniform for a pre-flight briefing at
0530, for instance, that’s when the clock should start, and it should continue ticking until they leave the aircraft after the last sector of the day. If crew were paid a decent hourly rate for all the time they’re expected to work, then $100 per hour...
They’re still not getting paid for all the time they’re on the clock. If they’re required to be at the airport in uniform for a pre-flight briefing at
0530, for instance, that’s when the clock should start, and it should continue ticking until they leave the aircraft after the last sector of the day. If crew were paid a decent hourly rate for all the time they’re expected to work, then $100 per hour for flight time would not be necessary. Pay people fairly for the time they spend on the job. It’s not difficult, or “socialist”.
it's not hard for most people to understand that professionals don't get paid for every minute you actually have to be preparing for or finalizing work and that happens because you get paid more even if calculated on a per hour basis during the time you actually are "working"
Let's remember also that Delta added boarding pay for its non-union FAs and did the most to cut the amount of time that FAs are "not getting paid"
If employees can get paid more and their employer agrees I see no problem. I will bet you not one of you would turn down more money from your employer because you think that you would then be overpaid.
Now is a flight attendant worth $100 an hour, realizing they don't get paid for all on time duty? Maybe so or maybe not but if UA is willing to pay that's on them.
Indeed. When people get paid too little, the corporate bootlickers scream they get paid what they're worth. Now FAs are gonna make $100/hr, and the same people bitch and moan.
My only frustration is in my own union spending all their energy advocating for equipment instead of their members, and the legal inability to strike as ATC (that law should be challenged). On an hourly basis, most ATC's are not making close to $100/hr.
I'm...
Indeed. When people get paid too little, the corporate bootlickers scream they get paid what they're worth. Now FAs are gonna make $100/hr, and the same people bitch and moan.
My only frustration is in my own union spending all their energy advocating for equipment instead of their members, and the legal inability to strike as ATC (that law should be challenged). On an hourly basis, most ATC's are not making close to $100/hr.
I'm sure some people will come up with some fake reasons to justify keeping our pay (relatively) low, though.
What's your view on the ideal cost of the state as a proportion of GDP?
There's no shortage of idiots across the political spectrum, but it does look like the only reason airlines in the USA can afford to pay cabin crew $100 per hour and CEOs 8-figure salaries is that they're artificially shielded from competition.
As an example, UA are selling business class fares between YVR and BOG (over 4k miles) from...
What's your view on the ideal cost of the state as a proportion of GDP?
There's no shortage of idiots across the political spectrum, but it does look like the only reason airlines in the USA can afford to pay cabin crew $100 per hour and CEOs 8-figure salaries is that they're artificially shielded from competition.
As an example, UA are selling business class fares between YVR and BOG (over 4k miles) from $350ish each way, while their cheapest business class fare on EWR-LHR (less than 3.5k miles) is a cool $2,700. If anyone is tempted to say there's a premium associated with the lie flat seats, please remember we're talking about a 7 hour flight during which you can get a 3.5 hour nap if you're lucky- and daytime services aren't any cheaper. You may also wish to note that, at the same time, Air Europa are selling flat seats on the 10 hour flight to MDE for €870 apiece.
It would be interesting to see the pay scale if it was negotiated in a free society.
Airline bankruptcies are imminent (Chapter 11). Salaries will be slashed. Thanks to the deranged individual in the White House.
We never want to hear “equal pay for women” ever again. Especially now since they have exceeded pay for men. And let’s not forget that the job of a stewardess requires no learned skills.
Wow an idiot AND a bigot? Quite the winner in life, Jim!
This sort of toxicity from @Jim Narrows is unwelcome here
FWIW, my last experience with United (domestic first; partially on miles; EWRSeattle) was unexpectedly pleasant overall. We did run into one weird FA, but she was okay overall. I was shocked to find the food somewhat tasty, you usually hope for semi-edible with United. The United Club at EWR, though, was below par, and the one in SEA was closed after 10pm. It looks like they are investing into automation on the ground - you...
FWIW, my last experience with United (domestic first; partially on miles; EWRSeattle) was unexpectedly pleasant overall. We did run into one weird FA, but she was okay overall. I was shocked to find the food somewhat tasty, you usually hope for semi-edible with United. The United Club at EWR, though, was below par, and the one in SEA was closed after 10pm. It looks like they are investing into automation on the ground - you now get to tag your own bags, even in first. Annoying, but not to the point of making me want to switch carriers.
Delta, SEAFAI, domestic first, was comparable; I'd say the food was slightly worse and the service slightly better, but both within the margin of error. I did like that we could deal with a live person at checkin.
Between that and the changes in their United Club card rules, I might actually keep the United Club card now. We'll see how my April trip to LHR goes..
I am genuinely curious how the current notifications are worded so that it requires a change in contact: “ Improved language in hotels and electronic notifications”
There should be a clause that they can’t wear those dumb lanyards or anything else during any future disputes. I’m not interested as a customer in your labor dispute.
So these women are now going to make six figures for serving drinks and passing out peanuts?
And CEOs get paid millions even when they drive their companies into the ground and declare bankruptcies. On balance, serving peanuts and drinks is a bigger net societal good.
Regardless if you think their pay is high and the duties easy, feel free to apply. They've been accepting guys into this *women's field" for many decades now.
Hay Jim the next time the AED IS NEEDED ON A FLIGHT.you can stand by and watch. I am surprised you are actually able to type.
This just means hire fares. Not sure it's good tbh.
*higher obviously
Does this mean they will stop being mean to me ?
No, they will be even meaner now. And the current 70 year-olds will work until they're 80 or 90.
Good for the FA’s. They’ve deserved better for a while now. Hope this is at least some progress. Wishing them the best!
Airfares are going up. A lot. No other way to cover all the increased expenses.
Yeah, the flight attendant contract is making fares sky high.
Nothing to do with the price of oil or anything.
I mean labor is a biggest cost than oil. He’s not wrong. This is pretty ridiculous. It would be defensible if it was an easier union to break into, but it’s not.
It’s a job you stop getting better at after a few years and then often start getting worse at.
We can only pray the scope clause dies and regionals can expand
Let's keep in mind that this is really a 15 year deal. It was 5 years too late, covers 5 years and then a new deal will be pushed out for 5 years - because the AFA let UA mgmt walk all over the membership. At least AA FAs had the nerve to make enough noise to get a deal earlier.
Let's see what this deal costs UA but their labor costs will go up...
Let's keep in mind that this is really a 15 year deal. It was 5 years too late, covers 5 years and then a new deal will be pushed out for 5 years - because the AFA let UA mgmt walk all over the membership. At least AA FAs had the nerve to make enough noise to get a deal earlier.
Let's see what this deal costs UA but their labor costs will go up and UA's guidance got thrown in the toilet w/ high fuel prices even as Boeing increases deliveries which will drain UA's cash and increase debt which includes leases.
Profits and profit sharing suddenly get whacked because of "high fuel prices"
Let's also remember that several other UA labor groups have amendable labor contracts including the mechanics so UA now just narrowed the list of employees that are underpaid.
as for industry leading, it is impossible to predict what competitors do but DL can and likely will top UA's rates before the UA final years of the UA contract. And, of course, DL FAs don't pay union dues and didn't lose the time value of money over the past 5 years which no retro can make up for. and UA's profit sharing has not exceeded DL's in, like, ever.
and other unionized carriers will open their contracts before UA's new FA contract - if it is ratified - become amendable so the chances that UA FAs will have industry leading pay is next to nil.
You are such a bitter person. Did your dog leave you?
*incoming* Delta offers $1 more to regain ‘highest paid in industry’ talking-point. (Tim, it’s a well-known strategy…)
UAL’s guidance which well exceeds last year’s includes this tentative agreement and the other groups are competitive with the rest of the industry as their deals became amendable far more recently. UA is doing just fine.
parnel,
I am a realist in a rainbows and unicorns world.
1990,
do you think DL FAs really care HOW they get to be paid as well as they do?
rebel,
UA's guidance got shot to you know where on Feb 28 but you cling to its great guidance if it makes you feel better.
I guarantee you that UA will bury the costs of this agreement - if...
parnel,
I am a realist in a rainbows and unicorns world.
1990,
do you think DL FAs really care HOW they get to be paid as well as they do?
rebel,
UA's guidance got shot to you know where on Feb 28 but you cling to its great guidance if it makes you feel better.
I guarantee you that UA will bury the costs of this agreement - if it passes - in a few footnotes of its 8Q whlie blaming reduced earnings on fuel costs.
get back w/ us on how "fine" UA or any airline is after 2 years of $100/bbl crude and $3/gal fuel if it even comes down from over $4/gal right now. it was $4.24 yesterday. all of those airspace clogging, fuel inefficient little RJs that UA flies around will never have NEOs or MAX fuel efficiency.
We will get back to you like we have on so many of your other wrong predictions. Riyadh Air, Air Asia, $1b MRO profit, NYC market share, UA F/As performance without a contract to name a few. Your track record predicting airline events is abysmal. Poor LTD.
You desperately torture what I said - just like you do with everything else - to admit what I said is right.
You impulsively - like a petulant child - screm victory or defeat based on the first mention of any data - manipulated or not - esp. given that my "predictions" are and always have been long term.
Every airline's guidance for 2026 is meaningless. Every airline.
This is the best time for UA...
You desperately torture what I said - just like you do with everything else - to admit what I said is right.
You impulsively - like a petulant child - screm victory or defeat based on the first mention of any data - manipulated or not - esp. given that my "predictions" are and always have been long term.
Every airline's guidance for 2026 is meaningless. Every airline.
This is the best time for UA to settle with its labor groups as the cost of its labor settlements will be more than what it touted - but that will be all lost in increased fuel costs.
Tim says he's a realist LMAO! No dude, you're a comedian!
facts can be fun along w/ being accurate
Reposting...
Can't see how this is 'good'. Loganair (the Scottish regional airline) has pilots on less than £35k a year, which still is a fair bit more than cabin crew salaries at many/most European airlines. It's impossible for the US airlines to compete with anyone else on service when the cost of an having one extra FA available throughout a long haul flight means needing to sell more than a couple of additional Y tickets just to break even.
You fly Logan air? Good luck
Not sure how overpaying for mediocrity is a good thing but ok….
Do you even fly United?
Very rarely nowadays but I am million miler with them so I feel somewhat qualified to share my opinion of their FAs.
Quick question, do you support Trump being a billionaire?
Congratulations to the UA flight attendants! Hope it meets their expectations.
UAL’s guidance includes this contract and other UA employee groups are less than a year past their amendable dates except the Teamsters who are just over a year.
IOW, 40% of UA's workforce has waited over a year but that is ok since you managed to survive the AI HDQ cut because you perform an essential service carrying UA's water on the internet.
Wrong again. Less than 10% and the open contracts are competitive with the rest of the industry. The FA contract is one that needed fixing.
$100 an hour? To serve snacks and show people how to wear a seat belt? WTF? Clearly I need to switch jobs.
Please tell them how you feel, preferably before meal/drink service… *clears throat*
FA's should get more pay for less work and a bad attitude
Are there any links with individual performance or is it just seniority that determines pay?
It continues to be wild to me that the best service I get on US carriers is from young FAs who aren’t too jaded to go the extra mile yet.
Is it too much to ask for more performance based pay?
How will this affect UA's financials? Seems like their CASM is going to shoot up drastically.
Oh jeez… CASM/RASM talk… why not bring up load factor at this point… Tim!
United has already built the increase in pay for flight attendants 3 years ago. After the pilot’s contract. They just got an extra two years to implement it. Where do you think the profits difference from AA and DL come from.they have used that money to buy back stocks. Look at the stock prices. You will find your answer.