Pilots of America’s United Airlines are in line for a pay raise of up to 40% after the culmination of pay negotiations that have extended over the last four years. The Air Line Pilots association confirmed details of the agreement on Saturday, July 15. The agreement will now have to be ratified by the approximately 16,000 pilots.
According to the union, the deal has an approximate US$10 billion (£7.63 billion) value over the life of the contract, with improvements to “quality of work-life, compensation, job security, work rules, retirement, benefits.” As the post-pandemic travel boom ramps up, more pilot union groups are demanding improved benefits.
Delta pilots approved a contract in March, which included about a 34% increase in pay. American Airlines pilots will also be voting on a contract. The new United deal has cumulative pay increases that ranges from 34.5% to 40.2% based on the type of aircraft a pilot flies, the union said.
“We promised our world-class pilots the industry-leading contract they deserve, and we’re pleased to have reached an agreement with ALPA on it,” United Airlines said in a statement. “The four-year agreement, once ratified, will deliver a meaningful pay raise and quality of life improvements for our pilots while putting the airline on track to achieve the incredible potential of our United Next strategy.”
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, after its merger with Continental Airways in 2010, United Airlines became the world’s third-largest carrier by fleet size and number of routes. As of July this year, United Airlines operates a fleet of 911 aircraft and has a combination of 64 additional Boeing and Airbus jets on order.
