United Airlines Cabin Crew Strike New 5-Year Contract Deal

United Airlines flight attendants have secured a new five-year contract agreement after rejecting an earlier proposal last year. The deal includes higher wages, boarding pay, and a $740 million bonus package for the airline's 30,000 cabin crew members.

United Airlines cabin crew members have successfully negotiated a new five-year contract with the airline, according to their union representatives who announced the agreement Thursday.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA revealed that this latest deal comes after flight attendants turned down a previous contract proposal last year, demanding better terms.

Key improvements in the new agreement include enhanced base wages, limitations on red-eye flight assignments, and increased back-pay compensation. Additionally, crew members will now receive payment during extended layovers between flights, along with stricter guidelines for hotel accommodations and advance notice of schedule modifications.

The cabin crew workforce had been participating in federal mediation since 2023, pushing for substantial wage increases in the double digits, improved compensation for all working hours including ground time, retroactive payments, greater scheduling flexibility, and enhanced working conditions. Their last pay increase occurred in 2020.

Union representatives stated that flight attendants dismissed the earlier proposed contract because it failed to adequately address their key concerns.

According to the union, this revised agreement incorporates the priorities that members highlighted during recent focused negotiations.

United Airlines confirmed the contract would provide immediate salary increases for its 30,000 flight attendants once approved, with maximum hourly wages climbing to $100 by the contract’s conclusion. The airline emphasized this would position their crew as the highest-paid in the aviation industry.

The agreement also introduces compensation for passenger boarding periods and provides signing bonuses for all flight attendants. United disclosed that these signing bonuses will amount to $740 million total.

The rejected previous agreement had promised approximately 40% financial improvements in the first contract year. Its rejection forced both parties to resume negotiations.

The current agreement requires union ratification before taking effect. The AFA announced its leadership will convene April 1 to determine whether to present the deal to members for voting. Should they proceed, complete contract details will be made public April 3.

If approved for member voting, the ratification process would begin April 23 and conclude May 12.