American Airlines Flight Attendants Secure Historic Contract with Pay for Boarding Time
The new five-year agreement includes immediate raises of up to 20.5% and marks the first time U.S. unionized flight attendants will be paid for boarding.
- The contract, ratified by 87% of voting flight attendants, covers approximately 28,000 American Airlines cabin crew members.
- In addition to boarding pay, the deal provides significant retroactive pay and wage increases starting October 1.
- The agreement follows years of contentious negotiations and strike threats, drawing attention from President Joe Biden and other federal officials.
- This development sets a precedent in the U.S. aviation industry, with other airlines' flight attendants now pushing for similar benefits.
- The contract also addresses quality-of-life improvements, including better scheduling and compensation for long waits between flights.