Pilots who work for United Airlines (UAL) have secured a 40.2% pay increase over four years as part of a new labor agreement with the U.S. carrier.
The new collective agreement between United Airlines and its pilots’ union ends months of tense negotiations between the two sides.
The pilots who work for United are the latest aviators to achieve a big salary increase amid the post-pandemic travel boom.
Pilots working for Delta Air Lines (DAL) ratified a new contract that gives them a 34% raise over four years, and American Airlines (AAL) pilots’ union reached a collective agreement with 40% raises over four years.
Pilots have been pushing for higher pay and better working conditions since travel demand returned after the Covid-19 pandemic, including in Canada.
United’s pilots’ union said the tentative deal includes other improvements such as overtime pay, holiday pay, and better scheduling. Cumulative pay increases range from 34.5% to 40.2% based on the type of aircraft a pilot flies.
The contract won’t be finalized until it is ratified by United’s 16,000 pilots in a vote by the Air Line Pilots Association scheduled for later this summer.
United Airlines is scheduled to report its second quarter earnings after the stock market closes on July 19.
United’s stock has risen 36% over the last 12 months to trade at $53.34 U.S. per share.
