Key Takeaways
• United Airlines and AFA reached a tentative deal on May 23, 2025, affecting 28,000 flight attendants.
• New contract offers up to 26.9% immediate pay raises and $595 million in retroactive payments.
• Voting by all attendants runs July 7-29, 2025; contract effective July 30, 2025 if approved.
United Airlines Flight Attendants Set to Gain Historic Pay and Benefits in 2025 Contract Deal
United Airlines flight attendants are on the brink of a major change in their pay and working conditions after nearly five years of tough negotiations. On May 23, 2025, United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) reached a tentative contract deal that could reshape the lives of about 28,000 flight attendants. If approved, this agreement will bring the largest pay raises, retroactive payments, and quality of life improvements ever seen for United Airlines flight attendants.
This news comes at a time when the airline industry in the United States 🇺🇸 is facing increased pressure to improve pay and working conditions for its workers. The deal is now waiting for a vote by all United Airlines flight attendants, with results expected by July 29, 2025. If the majority say yes, the new contract will take effect on July 30, 2025.
What’s Changing for United Airlines Flight Attendants?
Current Pay Structure
Right now, United Airlines flight attendants earn between $28.88 and $67.11 per flight hour. Their pay goes up each year for the first 13 years they work at the airline. Here’s how the current pay scale looks:
- 1st year: $28.88 per flight hour
- 2nd year: $30.64 per flight hour
- 3rd year: $32.59 per flight hour
- 4th year: $34.71 per flight hour
- 5th year: $38.25 per flight hour
- 6th year: $43.30 per flight hour
- 7th year: $48.41 per flight hour
- 8th year: $49.96 per flight hour
- 9th year: $51.34 per flight hour
- 10th year: $53.26 per flight hour
- 11th year: $54.73 per flight hour
- 12th year: $57.33 per flight hour
- 13th year: $67.11 per flight hour
Flight attendants who are on reserve duty—meaning they are on call to fill in when needed—get an extra $2.00 per flight hour.
The New Contract Deal: What’s Inside?
The new tentative agreement, described as “historic” by the union, brings several big changes:
Big Pay Raises
- Immediate average pay raise of 26.9% for all flight attendants.
- New hires will see their starting hourly rate jump from $28.88 to $36.92.
- Veteran flight attendants (those with 13 or more years) will see their hourly rate rise to $84.78.
- By the end of the five-year contract, new hires will earn $42 per hour, and veterans will earn $96.58 per hour.
- For the first time, United Airlines flight attendants will get boarding pay at half their normal hourly flying rate.
- In the first year alone, flight attendants will receive 40% of the total economic improvements promised in the contract.
Retroactive Pay
- The contract includes a retroactive pay package worth about $595 million. This money covers the five years when flight attendants did not get cost-of-living increases while waiting for a new contract.
- This is the largest retroactive payment ever for any crew contract at United Airlines.
Quality of Life Improvements
The deal is not just about money. It also includes several changes to make the job better for flight attendants:
- Better hotel accommodations for layovers, making rest periods more comfortable and safe.
- Scheduling improvements that do not require the use of the Preferential Bidding System (PBS), which many flight attendants dislike.
- Stronger reserve scheduling rules to give more predictability to those on call.
- Healthcare benefits are preserved, so flight attendants keep their current health insurance.
- Improved retirement benefits to help flight attendants plan for the future.
- Polaris Business Class meals will now be available to flight attendants, improving their in-flight experience.
How the Contract Will Be Approved
The process for approving the new contract is detailed and involves several steps:
- May 23, 2025: United Airlines and the AFA reach a tentative agreement.
- May 29-30, 2025: Union leaders from different regions review the full contract details.
- May 31, 2025: Regional leaders vote unanimously to endorse the agreement.
- June 3, 2025: The full contract is published for all flight attendants to review.
- July 7-29, 2025: All 28,000 United Airlines flight attendants can vote on the contract.
- July 29, 2025: Voting results are announced.
- July 30, 2025: If the contract is approved, it goes into effect.
This process ensures that every flight attendant has a say in whether the contract becomes official.
Why Did It Take So Long?
United Airlines flight attendants have been working under an old contract for about four years. The last contract became “amendable,” or open for changes, nearly five years ago. Since then, the union and the company have been in long and sometimes tense negotiations.
During this time, flight attendants took several steps to show they were serious about getting a better deal:
- Nearly 100% of union members voted to authorize a strike in Fall 2024.
- The union asked for help from the National Mediation Board, a federal agency that helps solve labor disputes in the airline industry. You can learn more about the National Mediation Board and its role in airline labor negotiations on the official NMB website.
- Flight attendants wore red pins and lanyards, joined “Days of Action,” and held “CHAOS-style” pop-up events to show their unity.
- Some flight attendants even interrupted a media event to express their frustration with the slow pace of talks.
United Airlines was the last major U.S. airline to reach a new contract with its flight attendants. Other airlines, like Southwest, American, and Alaska, had already signed new deals with their flight attendants.
What Does This Mean for United Airlines and Its Workers?
For Flight Attendants
If the contract is approved, United Airlines flight attendants will see the biggest pay increases in the company’s history. New hires will start at a much higher rate, and those who have been with the company for many years will see their pay reach new heights. The retroactive pay will also put a large sum of money in the pockets of flight attendants who have waited years for a new deal.
The improvements in hotel stays, scheduling, and meals will make the job more comfortable and less stressful. Keeping healthcare and retirement benefits means flight attendants can plan for their future with more confidence.
However, not everyone is completely happy. Some flight attendants have said they wanted even more changes, especially in areas like scheduling and work rules. The upcoming vote will show whether the majority of flight attendants believe this deal is good enough.
For United Airlines
This contract deal will cost United Airlines a lot of money. Industry experts estimate that the new contract will add about $1 billion per year to the company’s costs, not counting the $595 million in retroactive pay. This is a big jump, especially since United Airlines has enjoyed lower labor costs than some of its competitors in recent years.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has spoken in favor of the deal, saying, “Our flight attendants are the best in the industry and have earned an industry-leading contract. I often say they are the face of our operation and the role they play every day – to keep people safe and deliver great service – helps make United the biggest and best airline in aviation history.”
The new contract could also help United Airlines keep and attract talented flight attendants, which is important as the airline industry continues to grow and recover from the challenges of recent years.
For the Airline Industry
This deal sets a new standard for pay and benefits for flight attendants across the United States 🇺🇸. Other airlines may feel pressure to match or beat United’s offer to keep their own workers happy. The contract could also encourage more workers in the airline industry to push for better pay and working conditions.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the United Airlines contract deal is being closely watched by other unions and airlines, as it could influence future negotiations across the industry.
What Should Flight Attendants and Job Seekers Know?
If you are a current United Airlines flight attendant, it’s important to review the full details of the contract before voting. Pay close attention to the changes in pay, retroactive payments, and quality of life improvements. Think about how these changes will affect you both now and in the future.
If you are thinking about becoming a flight attendant, this contract makes United Airlines one of the most attractive places to work in the industry. The higher starting pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions could make a big difference in your career.
For those interested in working in the United States 🇺🇸 as a flight attendant, it’s important to know about the visa and work permit requirements. Most foreign nationals will need a valid work visa to be employed by a U.S. airline. The most common visa for airline crew members is the C-1/D visa, which allows crew members to enter the United States 🇺🇸 as part of their job. You can find more information about the C-1/D visa and how to apply on the U.S. Department of State’s official website.
What Happens Next?
The next big step is the vote by all United Airlines flight attendants, which will take place from July 7 to July 29, 2025. If the majority vote yes, the contract will go into effect on July 30, 2025. If the contract is rejected, the union and the company will likely return to the bargaining table to try to work out a new deal.
Flight attendants should watch for updates from their union and United Airlines, and make sure to participate in the voting process. This is a rare chance to have a direct say in the future of their pay and working conditions.
Key Takeaways
- United Airlines and its flight attendants have reached a tentative contract deal after nearly five years of talks.
- The new contract offers big pay raises, retroactive payments, and better working conditions.
- All 28,000 United Airlines flight attendants will vote on the contract in July 2025.
- If approved, the contract will set a new standard for pay and benefits in the airline industry.
- Job seekers and current flight attendants should review the full contract details and understand how the changes will affect them.
- Foreign nationals interested in working as flight attendants in the United States 🇺🇸 should learn about the C-1/D visa requirements.
For more information about working as a flight attendant in the United States 🇺🇸, including visa requirements and job opportunities, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official page for crewmember visas.
The outcome of this contract vote will shape the future for thousands of United Airlines flight attendants and could have a lasting impact on the entire airline industry. Stay informed, get involved, and make your voice heard.
Learn Today
Tentative Agreement → A preliminary contract deal reached during negotiations, subject to member approval before finalization.
Retroactive Pay → Compensation paid for work performed in past periods not previously compensated at current rates.
Preferential Bidding System (PBS) → A scheduling tool allowing flight attendants to bid for preferred work assignments.
Reserve Duty → Flight attendants on call to cover flights as needed, receiving extra pay per hour.
C-1/D Visa → U.S. visa allowing airline crew members to enter the United States for work purposes.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines flight attendants may receive historic pay raises and improved benefits starting July 30, 2025, after nearly five years of negotiations. The contract promises better wages, retroactive pay totaling $595 million, improved scheduling, and enhanced quality of life, pending a vote by 28,000 crew members this July.
— By VisaVerge.com
