United Flight Attendants Demand Fair Pay Amid Record Profits

Flight Attendants Rally for Enhanced Compensation Amid United Airlines' Record Profits

CHICAGO (March 19, 2025) — Flight attendants from United Airlines, under the banner of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), staged demonstrations across nearly 20 global airports. The aim of these rallies was to urge United Airlines' management to agree to fair compensation for what they describe as Aviation’s First Responders.

In light of recent incidents highlighting the critical, life-saving roles flight attendants play, the demonstrators emphasized their indispensable contribution to passenger safety and well-being. Despite these responsibilities, attendants claim their pay is lagging behind industry peers, even as United Airlines reported a substantial profit of $3.1 billion in 2024. This financial performance, they argue, provides ample room for management to negotiate an industry-leading contract.

Ken Diaz, President of the United AFA, remarked, "United’s goal is to become the premier U.S. airline. If CEO Scott Kirby wants to run the #1 airline, Flight Attendants must be #1 in compensation, benefits and work rules. It’s time to get this contract done. We will continue to fight until we secure the contract we deserve."

The demands set forth by United Flight Attendants include:

• Significant double-digit increases in base pay to set industry standards.
• Compensation for all job-related hours, including the boarding process.
• Retroactive pay from the date their current contract became amendable.
• Improvements in schedule flexibility, job security, and retirement benefits.
• Rejection of any concessions.

In a show of solidarity, a staggering 99.99% of United Flight Attendants voted in favor of a strike authorization if necessary. This move underscores their readiness to pursue aggressive measures to achieve a satisfactory contract. They point out the disparity between executives receiving substantial bonuses while asking for cuts and concessions from essential staff.

Negotiations have recently gained momentum, with United management agreeing to convene outside the scheduled mediation sessions to advance discussions. Although this represents progress, there is an urgency to finalize an agreement that reflects the value of Aviation’s First Responders.

###

The Association of Flight Attendants is dedicated to representing Flight Attendant interests. With a history spanning over 79 years, AFA has been pivotal in elevating the Flight Attendant profession by advocating for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Currently, 55,000 Flight Attendants are part of AFA, which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. For more information, visit www.afacwa.org.