United Airlines Flight Attendants’ 2025 Salary Deal
United Airlines Flight Attendants Set to Receive Major Pay Raises Under New Contract
CHICAGO – In a significant development for aviation workers, flight attendants at United Airlines (UA), based at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), are poised to benefit from substantial pay raises. A new tentative contract, announced by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), outlines a five-year agreement that promises an average increase of 26.9% in base pay along with enhanced benefits.
The new contract not only boosts wages for flight attendants but also introduces essential perks such as boarding pay, improved layover accommodations, and high-quality meals akin to those served in Polaris Business Class. This contract marks a pivotal moment for United flight attendants, reflecting the ongoing commitment to improving worker conditions in the airline industry.
United Flight Attendants’ Salary Increases for 2025
Under the new contract, flight attendants of all experience levels will see significant salary increases. Key highlights include:
- First-Year Flight Attendants: Pay will increase from $28.88 to $36.92 per hour, reaching $42.06 per hour by the fifth year.
- Veteran Flight Attendants: Those with over 13 years of experience will see their wages rise from $67.11 to $84.78 per hour, peaking at $96.58 per hour after five years.
- Annual Increases: Pay raises will range from 3.0% to 3.75% throughout the contract period.
Additionally, a retroactive bonus of $595 million will be distributed to compensate flight attendants for the years without raises during contract negotiations.
Quality-of-Life Improvements for Flight Attendants
The tentative agreement also includes several quality-of-life enhancements that address long-standing concerns of flight attendants:
- Hotel Upgrades: Layovers of 17 hours or more will be accommodated in verified downtown hotels, ensuring better rest conditions.
- Enhanced Meals: Flight attendants will receive meals that match Polaris Business Class quality, along with access to reserve meals.
- Increased Per Diem: Daily allowances for food and drink during layovers will rise, reflecting the increased cost of living.
- Scheduling Protections: A moratorium will prevent changes to the current scheduling system during the contract’s duration.
- Holiday Recognition: Halloween has been added as a recognized holiday, bringing the total to six.
These changes were crucial during the negotiation process, addressing issues related to fatigue, rest, and overall working conditions for flight attendants.
Next Steps for United Flight Attendants
The AFA-CWA plans to conduct roadshows at United bases nationwide to explain the details of the new contract and gather feedback from flight attendants. A vote on the contract is anticipated in late July 2025, with the agreement set to take effect on July 30 if ratified.
Union leadership has expressed strong confidence in the agreement, stating that it represents the best possible outcome after extensive negotiations. Although not every demand was met, such as the push for ground duty pay, the contract secures historic compensation gains and meaningful quality-of-life improvements.
For more information on labor agreements and workplace benefits in the airline industry, you can visit the AFA-CWA official website or read about the latest trends in labor movements at Labor Notes.
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