United Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify Landmark Five-Year Labor Contract

The contract provides a 31 % average base-pay increase, phased in by August 2026, and adds boarding pay raising total compensation by 7-8 %. Retroactive wages total $741 million (some reports cite “more than $700 million”). Additional provisions include sit-pay for delays over 2.5 hours, limits on red-eye assignments, elimination of a 24-hour on-call reserve, higher per-diem rates, 401(k) contributions, ten weeks of paid maternity leave and two weeks of paid parental or adoption leave.

United Flight Attendants Ratify 31% Raise, Boarding Pay in Deal That Ends Long Contract Fight

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) called the deal a “game-changer” that aligns flight-attendant job security with United pilots and expands benefits. United Airlines said the agreement follows a March tentative deal and shows its commitment to ending the prolonged negotiation dispute.

United Flight Attendants Ratify 31% Raise, Boarding Pay in Deal That Ends Long Contract Fight

In July 2025, United flight attendants rejected a tentative contract by 71 % over concerns about insufficient wage growth, limited ground-time pay, inadequate retroactive compensation, restrictive scheduling and unfavorable work rules. The offer fell short of demands for fair pay and scheduling flexibility.

United Flight Attendants Ratify 31% Raise, Boarding Pay in Deal That Ends Long Contract Fight

United’s ratification ends the post-pandemic wave of labor deals among U.S. carriers. Southwest (April 2024), American Airlines (September 2024) and Alaska Airlines (February 2025) had already secured similar contracts, while Delta Air Lines remains without a unionized flight-attendant workforce. Analysts view the deal as a new benchmark for compensation that could shape future negotiations and affect airline labor costs.

United Airlines Inks Five-Year Deal with Flight Attendants

CNBC and Reuters report retroactive pay of $741 million, while Travel Market Report cites “more than $700 million.” This reflects differing rounding and source conventions.

United Flight Attendants Ratify 31% Raise, Boarding Pay in Deal That Ends Long Contract Fight

The wage increases begin on May 31 2026, with the full 31 % base-pay raise effective August 2026. United has booked $561 million in labor costs for 2025 and expects further expenses as the new rules are applied before the summer travel peak. Investor reaction was muted, indicating the market had largely priced in the agreement.

United Flight Attendants Ratify 31% Raise, Boarding Pay in Deal That Ends Long Contract Fight

• “The contract will immediately change the lives of United Flight Attendants, especially our thousands of new hires who have been hired since the pandemic.” — Ken Diaz, President, United Chapter, AFA-CWA

United Flight Attendants Ratify 31% Raise, Boarding Pay in Deal That Ends Long Contract Fight

• “Our solidarity delivered the goods.” — Ken Diaz, President, United Chapter, AFA-CWA

United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract

• “The United Airlines Flight Attendant contract now leads the industry in total value for Flight Attendants and it should.” — Sara Nelson, International President, AFA-CWA

United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract

• “We will continue to press forward with all of our contracts and build power with our organizing to ensure Flight Attendants are respected with meaningful return for our work as aviation’s first responders.” — Sara Nelson, International President, AFA-CWA

United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract