Alaska Airlines has had a strong year in 2024, with impressive financial results and an expansion strategy that includes acquiring Hawaiian Airlines. The airline, ranked as the fifth largest in the United States, is positioning itself as a dominant carrier on the West Coast. However, despite its recent success, the airline is facing ongoing challenges with its cabin crew.
For over two years, Alaska Airlines has struggled to finalize a new contract with its flight attendants. The frontline staff, responsible for passenger safety and comfort, have expressed frustration over management’s reluctance to offer meaningful improvements to their pay and working conditions. This dispute has created tension within the company and could impact its operations in the future.
Ongoing Contract Dispute Between Alaska Airlines and Flight Attendants
Flight attendants play a critical role in airline operations, yet many at Alaska Airlines claim they are underpaid and struggling financially. Reports suggest that some junior flight attendants are unable to afford basic living expenses, with some even qualifying for food stamps. This has led to growing dissatisfaction among the airline’s cabin crew, who argue that their wages do not reflect the hard work and challenges they face daily.
The airline’s management team and the flight attendants’ union have been in negotiations for over two years. In August 2024, a proposed contract was overwhelmingly rejected by more than two-thirds of the airline’s flight attendants. Since then, Alaska Airlines has returned with a revised offer, which is now up for a vote. However, the changes in the new proposal are minimal, raising doubts about whether it will satisfy the workforce.
Key Details of Alaska Airlines’ New Contract Offer
According to The Seattle Times, Alaska Airlines’ revised contract offer includes some improvements but retains several elements of the previous proposal. Here are the key details:
- Increased Pay for Senior Flight Attendants: Those with over 13 years of service will receive higher compensation.
- Unchanged Base Pay for Others: The base salary remains the same for most flight attendants, which has been a major point of contention.
- Higher Boarding Pay: The contract includes better pay for time spent during passenger boarding, which benefits junior flight attendants who often work shorter routes.
Despite the limited improvements, many expect the contract to be accepted. The reason? If flight attendants reject this deal, they may have to wait another two to three years for negotiations under the newly merged Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines agreement. Many union members feel pressured to accept the contract to secure immediate pay increases, even if it does not fully meet their expectations.
Why This Contract Matters for Alaska Airlines and Its Flight Attendants
Alaska Airlines is in a strong financial position, reporting a net profit of $395 million in 2024. The airline is expanding its premium seating options and adding long-haul flights from Seattle, showing confidence in future growth. With such success, flight attendants believe they deserve a fair share of the airline’s profits.
Union leaders emphasize that this contract will set the foundation for future negotiations. In April 2025, talks will begin for a unified contract covering over 7,000 Alaska Airlines flight attendants and 2,000 Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants. The outcome of the current vote will influence those future discussions, making this an important moment for airline workers.
What’s Next? When Will the Vote Take Place?
Flight attendants will begin voting on February 11, 2025, with the voting period lasting until February 28, 2025. While optimism exists that the contract will pass, nothing is certain until the final votes are counted.
As Alaska Airlines continues to grow, the airline must balance financial success with fair treatment of its employees. Whether this contract will satisfy flight attendants remains to be seen, but it is clear that the airline’s workforce is demanding better pay and working conditions.
