American Airlines flight attendants approve new contract, avoiding strike

Flight attendants at American Airlines have ratified a new five-year contract after extensive negotiations, concluding a dispute that had garnered national attention, including from President Biden. The contract, which was approved by 87% of voting members, includes significant pay increases of up to 20.5% starting October 1, as well as compensation for boarding time, a benefit previously not afforded to flight attendants. This change comes in response to industry pressures, particularly after Delta Air Lines began offering similar pay during boarding for its nonunion staff in 2022. The union, representing approximately 28,000 flight attendants, had not seen a pay raise since 2019 and had threatened to strike, although they did not receive approval from the National Mediation Board, which must declare negotiations deadlocked for a strike to occur. The last strike in the U.S. airline industry took place in 2010 at Spirit Airlines. The new contract follows a similar agreement reached by Southwest Airlines flight attendants, who ratified a contract in April that provides cumulative pay raises of about 33% over four years. The ratification of this contract is significant not only for the flight attendants but also for the airline industry as a whole, as a strike could have had severe repercussions for both the industry and consumers. President Biden had previously expressed concerns that a strike would be detrimental, highlighting the importance of maintaining stability in the airline sector. Overall, the successful negotiation and ratification of this contract mark a pivotal moment for American Airlines flight attendants, ensuring better compensation and working conditions while avoiding the disruptions that a strike would have caused.