United Reaches ‘Industry-Leading’ Deal With Its Flight Attendants

The new agreement comes after years of negotiations.

A United Boeing 757-200 aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock | Robin Guess)

[ Cabin Crew ]May 23, 2025 5:00 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

United and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) have announced a tentative agreement that includes “industry-leading” wages and other improvements for the airline’s 28,000 flight attendants, according to a joint statement released Friday.

Both the union and United have been negotiating a new contract for around four years.

The agreement, if ratified, would also include a signing bonus and enhancements related to scheduling and quality of life. The new contract would remain in effect for five years before becoming amendable.

Final language for the contract is expected to be completed in the coming days. Following this, the agreement will be presented to the AFA’s Master Executive Council for approval on May 29-30. If approved, the tentative agreement will then be submitted to flight attendants for ratification.

The airline’s CEO, Scott Kirby, expressed support for the agreement, saying in a news release: “Our flight attendants are the best in the industry and have earned an industry-leading contract. I often say they are the face of our operation and the role they play every day – to keep people safe and deliver great service – helps make United the biggest and best airline in aviation history.”

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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