Phê Vé
May 13, 2026 • 3 min read
United Airlines' flight crew has successfully ratified a new contract that includes a significant 31% pay increase and a $741 million recovery package, marking a major victory after years of negotiations.
New Agreement Approved
The flight crew of United Airlines has recently ratified a new contract, bringing an end to a prolonged labor dispute with management. This new agreement offers substantial improvements in pay and working conditions, including salary increases, standby pay, and quality of life benefits.
Details of the New Contract
According to the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, 88.85% of eligible crew members participated in the voting process, with 82% in favor of the agreement. The new contract features an average base pay increase of 31%, boarding pay, seating pay, and a recovery package totaling $741 million. Top flight attendants at United can now earn over $100 per hour.
Improved Working Conditions
However, it's important to note that flight crews do not receive this pay from the moment they arrive at the airport until they leave the terminal after landing. Many aspects of work in the airline industry, such as wait times and handling irregular situations, often go unpaid or are compensated at lower rates. This contract begins to address some of those issues.
Flight Crew Needs Time to Negotiate
The United flight crew had been without a new contract for several years, and the delay became increasingly difficult to justify as United's financial situation improved and other labor groups in the industry secured new agreements. This contract is seen as a significant win, not only for increasing base pay but also for providing additional values in the form of boarding pay, seating pay, and a substantial recovery package.
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Impact on Labor Costs
This new agreement has alleviated a major headache for United, but it also diminishes one of the airline's financial advantages. Previously, some labor groups were still operating under older, cheaper contracts, but that situation has now changed. United has projected spending $500 million on crew pay adjustments, with around $241 million coming from this year's profits.
Hope for Better Service
While we can't expect flight service to improve immediately, the current service has been quite good, especially considering that crews have worked for five years without a pay increase. So, I’m genuinely happy for them. Many have waited far too long for this, and the recovery funds will be a significant boost for thousands of employees.
Conclusion
United Airlines has approved a new contract featuring an average base pay increase of 31%, along with boarding pay, seating pay, and a $741 million recovery package. This is a great victory for United’s flight crew and a necessary step forward after years of negotiations. While United's labor costs will rise, we hope this will lead to a better experience for passengers.
Article adapted and edited from: Live and Let's Fly
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