United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) announced a tentative five-year labor agreement on March 26, 2026, covering 30,000 flight attendants. The deal follows mediated negotiations in Washington DC and addresses demands after flight attendants rejected a prior proposal in 2025.
United Airlines stated the agreement provides immediate raises upon ratification, with top wage rates reaching $100 per hour by the contract’s end, positioning United flight attendants as the industry’s highest paid. Additional provisions include boarding pay, compensation for long gaps between flights, and a signing bonus totaling $740 million across all flight attendants.
The AFA-CWA reported secured improvements such as enhanced base pay rates, restrictions on red-eye flying, and ‘sit pay’ for scheduled or rescheduled sits exceeding 2.5 hours. A union spokesperson noted the Tentative Agreement will go before the AFA United Master Executive Council (MEC), comprising 14 Local Presidents, at a special meeting on April 1, 2026.
If the MEC approves, full details release on April 3, 2026, followed by a membership ratification vote from April 23 to May 12, 2026. Ratification implements improved pay scales and boarding pay effective May 31, 2026.
The 2025 rejection stemmed from the union’s view that the deal, offering at least 26% immediate raises and work condition enhancements, failed to adequately recognize years of sacrifices amid United’s success.