United Is the Last Big 4 Airline to Settle With Flight Attendants. Here’s What It Cost.

Key Points

• United Airlines' flight attendants ratified a new five-year contract that includes a 31% pay raise, $741 million in retroactive pay, boarding pay, and improved job security.
• United was the last of the big four U.S. airlines to settle a new contract with its flight attendants, following agreements by American, Southwest, and Alaska.
• The new contract addresses longstanding pay issues, particularly for entry-level flight attendants, amid industry-wide trends of increased labor compensation post-pandemic.

Summary

United Airlines has finalized a new five-year labor contract with its flight attendants, granting a 31% pay increase, $741 million in retroactive pay, and boarding pay—a long-contested issue in the industry. The deal, which also enhances job security, follows years of difficult negotiations and public rallies by flight attendants seeking better compensation and working conditions. United's agreement comes after similar deals at other major U.S. carriers and reflects a broader post-pandemic trend of significant pay raises for airline staff amidst high travel demand and staffing shortages.