United Airlines flight attendants voted to approve a new five-year labor contract that includes a 31% average raise to base pay by August 2026, the first raise in nearly six years for the group of roughly 30,000 workers [1, 2]. About 82% of attendants approved the deal, with voter turnout close to 90% [1, 2].
The finalized contract, ratified in May after a preliminary agreement in March 2026, also provides $741 million in retroactive pay for flight attendants [1, 2]. Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants, said the contract "will immediately change the lives of United Flight Attendants, especially our thousands of new hires who have been hired since the pandemic" [1].
In addition to the pay raise, the contract includes new boarding pay, compensating attendants for the time the aircraft door is open during passenger boarding [1, 2]. Quality-of-life provisions include limits on red-eye flights and "sit pay" for disruptions exceeding 2.5 hours [1].
The five-year labor deal covers all United flight attendants nationwide and marks a significant improvement in wages and working conditions after a long period without raises [1, 2]. The 31% pay increase is set to take effect by August 2026 [1].
