Hawaii travelers may not realize that two of the airlines carrying a huge share of passengers to the islands—United Airlines and Alaska Airlines—are in the midst of contentious labor disputes with their flight attendants. Both groups have been working without new contracts, leading to growing tensions that people report affecting the Hawaii travel experience.
United and Alaska flight attendants await fair contracts.
United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), recently authorized a strike to push for improved pay and working conditions. Alaska Airlines flight attendants are in a similar situation, with their most recent contract offer overwhelmingly rejected earlier this year. Combined, these two airlines represent a significant portion of all flights to Hawaii, putting their labor disputes in the spotlight for Hawaii-bound travelers.
The lack of contracts means many flight attendants operate under outdated pay and work rules, unlike other companies. As one commenter on Beat of Hawaii, Franklin M, noted, “It should be illegal for an employer to expect an employee to do duties on the plane but not be paid until push back.” These frustrations are shared across the industry, as boarding pay—a key demand in ongoing negotiations—remains a sore point for flight attendants.
Where does this leave Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants?
Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants face uncertainty as the post-merger integration with Alaska Airlines progresses. The five-year contract, signed in 2020, remains in effect until its expiration, safeguarding their pay, benefits, and working conditions. However, integrating two flight attendant groups under a joint collective bargaining agreement (JCBA) is on the horizon.
Hawaiian flight attendants have expressed concerns about the merger’s implications for seniority protections, route assignments, and pay scales. Known for embodying the “Aloha Spirit,” a hallmark of the airline’s service culture legacy, some wonder if this signature style will thrive under Alaska’s management or be overshadowed by a larger, mainland-oriented corporate framework.
Additionally, Alaska’s extensive West Coast presence raises questions about potential changes to Hawaiian flight attendants’ opportunities and careers that have long been based on Hawaii’s unique work-life balance.
While job protections have been guaranteed during the transition, much of the long-term impact remains uncertain. Will Hawaiian Airlines’ flight attendants see improvements in their roles, or will they face challenges in maintaining the unique identity that has defined their brand?
Are passengers experiencing the impact of flight attendant concerns?
The strain on flight attendants hasn’t gone unnoticed by passengers. Comments shared on Beat of Hawaii highlight how service levels can vary widely, often reflecting the morale and working conditions of the crew. Michael described a disappointing first-class flight on Alaska Airlines, contrasting it with a better experience on Hawaiian Airlines: “Alaska was awful…not once were we offered anything by the flight attendants. Hawaiian was excellent.”
Others were shocked by the unpaid work flight attendants perform during boarding. Guy F shared, “To think they are not being paid while they herd us into our seats…is disrespectful to [airline] employees and their customers.”
Despite these challenges, many passengers praise the professionalism of Hawaii-based crews. Kim B noted that Hawaiian Airlines’ flight attendants “still provide some of the best services on board in the US market,” underscoring the dedication many crews continue to show even under industry-wide pressures.
What’s at stake for Hawaii travel?
Hawaii’s tourism industry relies exclusively on air travel, making any concerns from ongoing labor disputes a significant worry. While a prolonged standoff or strike remains highly unlikely, even the possibility could impact bookings, lead to flight cancellations, or reduce service quality—when Hawaii’s visitor numbers are just beginning to rebound slightly.
The potential ripple effects go beyond labor issues. Flight attendants are critical in ensuring safety and delivering a positive travel experience, especially on long-haul flights vital to Hawaii’s tourism. As James M noted, “Boarding pay has nothing to do with being Hawaii-based…It’s fair compensation for all flight attendants for assisting with seating, disabled guests, unaccompanied minors, [and] enforcing regulations.”
The outcome of these negotiations may set a precedent for how airlines balance service quality and cost. One thing, however, is certain: passengers will ultimately bear the costs of any changes.
What travelers should know.
Staying informed is essential for Hawaii-bound passengers. Monitoring airline announcements and updates can help travelers navigate potential disruptions as the situation evolves.
At the center of these labor disputes is a broader conversation about the value of the people who make air travel possible. While some argue that perks like free flights offset lower pay or the practice of only starting pay after the boarding door closes, others highlight a fundamental issue of fairness. As Jim T commented, “Not paying FAs for required duties is an antiquated concept…How many people would say firefighters should not be paid until a call comes in for their services?”
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I notice there is another Chris, so I will use Christopher to keep our comments separate.
As I have said previously I am a FA of over 30 years.
I appreciate the understanding from many commentors about the demands of our job and especially not being paid to board or deplane. The several comments from those who think our job is easy and we are overpaid as glorified waiters are short-sighted. Those ppl who feel our job is simple have absolutely zero clue what it takes to be a FA. The job is very demanding on the body, constantly on our feet, dealing with attitudes and entitlement (probably from the writers of those negative comments on here) long hours without adequate food or sleep on layovers. The initial training is Very intense!
The lack of being compensated for work performed has been around since the dawn of the industry. FA’s want to paid for all our time on the plane.
I love my job. Time for pay for all our time “on the clock”!
Any flight personnel should be paid from the time they are expected to show up for work until the time they are relieved of duty. This is general labor law. Airlines shouldn’t be any different.
Wow! There is a lot of vitriol against FA’s in these comments.
When I step into an aircraft I hope my pilots and FA’s are ready to go, everyone is well trained & available to start their jobs.
For those of you who bemoan the fact that FA’s are glorified waiters, you are so wrong. In an emergency they can literally save your life. That is why they’re there. I have a lot of respect for them, while the pilots do navigate the aircraft through the skies; the FA’s deal with a lot of crazy people in a tube going 600 mph, all the while being prepared for an emergency @ 35K.
To me service is an after thought. I am glad that they are there primarily for our safety.
IMO these passengers who think that FA’s should get more pay will be the first to complain how the price of their airline ticket increased as well as the level of service sank or isn’t what it used to be. Just make it where the rich can only afford to fly.
You wanna feel sorry for FA’s. Feel sorry for the person that has to handle 200+ suitcases on the transport vehicles and then unload them all onto the plane making minimum wage. How about the person in cold weather that has to spray de-icer over the wings with the wind blowing it back in his face. The person who has to empty the toilets and transfer that. The safety check mechanics and such. Too bad these FA’s couldn’t give passengers foot massages, backrubs, comfy slippers and fluff your pillow like all them are praised to be. Whats required may I see your ticket, Welcome aboard, Soda or water, and a safety-bathroom speech. Free flights when seats are available so time off free travel. Nobody else complains but these FA’s. They don’t even have to work outside in bad weather and have no high level training. Sure feel bad for the employee handling baggage in extreme heat and cold making minimum wage.
FA’s should be paid for the time they are working. No other jobs would this be legal.
Try going to the Union Hall to find out no jobs are available and have to drive back home with no pay. Nothing. Loss of time, gas, etc. This is the same as showing up for work and not getting paid. Longshoremen and port work. That’s how it goes. Airports are considered ports.
Sorry until the plane gate closes the employee is on port property and not Southwest, HA, Alaska and such. They are not employee’s of the port or airport employee. Also how much work do they really do? Brief passengers before takeoff, serve a beverage, carry a garbage bag down the aisle so people can throw in their cups and garbage. Maybe serve food. Other than that they just sit and do nothing. I repeat do Nothing. More wages and benefits IMO I think Not.
Sorry to disagree~ They are on airline property (aka the airplane). Does your day start after you have your cup of coffee. Not an easy job and we should respect the labor and safety they provide. Cheers
The airline owns the airplane and not the terminal. Port property is the airport and terminal as well as the gate. Special port background checks TWIC card (Dept of Homeland Security) in which Flight Attendants are not required to have. Port employee’s required. I know because I was an employee of the port. Airports are considered port property.
Let the market price for qualified labor prevail. If airline attendants do not like the conditions or pay rate for the job they perform, let them go! There are others who will qualify, take the position, accept the conditions & accept the pay. The age of believed entitlement is over! Time for some house cleaning!
True , but the airlines are a business and they are in it for making a profit. If they don’t make a profit , they go under or get purchased by another more prosperous airline.
We all know what the pay scale is for for cabin crew before we apply for the position. It is incumbent upon us to pay attention to the payand then decide whether or not the job would be a good fit financially for us or not. There are thousands of people both young and old that desperately want to become a flight attendant and see the world that they would never be able to travel to otherwise. Airlines know that what they have to offer is in great demand and that they can easily hire thousands of people with no problem at all. In other words, flight attendants can very easily be replaced! It is a sad but true reality that even though flight attendants are vital to passenger safety, they can very easily replaced.
I am lifetime traveler with Alaska Air and a shareholder. I have always noticed and have had other travelers comment on the superior quality of the AK Air flight experience. I reside in AK and we regard the airline as “ours”. The personnel reflect the close relationship we Alaskans have with the aviation industry. I have also lived on Maui. I can’t think of another airline that comes close to Hawaiian Air in spirit and commitment of the flight personnel. I have great hope for the future of these two airlines and recognize that it is crucial that they are paid properly. I implore the the Alaska management team to respect their employees and we “Guests”. Don’t blow it!!
They Are Worth It!!
Time for airlines to do away with free travel for current and retired employees. The costs of millions of “free” trips is one of the main drivers of ticket peice inflation.
The ‘free” trips should also be reported to the IRS as income.
I am an accountant and the several retired airline employees
that were clients of mine received W-2s for their travel.
A bad case of Seat Envy here! As an airline employee, I was able to travel “free” only on a space available basis. That means, only if a seat was not sold. We still could be bumped for late arriving passengers, flight crews relocating to another station, mechanics en route to make a fix where there were no stationed mechanics, weight and balance concerns, etc.
It was a roll of the dice whether or not you could leave when you wanted and a bigger roll of the dice to get back when you planned. Absolutely no guarantees either way. Got to have lots of spare time and options in the back pocket.
If you ‘non-rev’d” and did not make it back to report for work as scheduled more than twice, you risked losing your job. No excuses.
Blue skies!!!
Well said. Being a former airline employee I can relate to the uncertainties of non-rev. Also, it is an absurd stretch to equate an employee using an open seat on a fixed cost trip impacting ticket prices. This post has brought out a lot of negative/uncvil comments from people hiding behind a social media curtain. Bet these comments never come out when face to face with a fight attendant. Cheers
Envy?
Why the personal attack Peter? I get it, you worked for the airlines and of course you think airline employees are overworked and underpaid and are never rude to paying customers.
It is obvious from other comments in BOH that many travelers disagree with you. My point is simply that employees can’t have it both ways. If they want more pay, the value of what is, for some, lifetime free flights must also be accounted as compensation. That is a fact, not envy.
BOH comments are often monopolized by current and former Airline workers, but without travelers BOH and Airlines would not exist. Aloha
That is one of the perks of working for the airlines. However, as Peter said, flying as a non-rev doesn’t guarantee you a seat. Many times non-rev’s have not got on due to the flight being oversold or bumped off for a paying passenger. You claiming it’s a “free trip” tells me you know absolutely nothing of the airline industry or how it works.
Delta pays its flight attendants, 40 minutes before departure/push back, basically when passengers start boarding.
Delta is non-union. Aloha, Mike
Soon to be unionized they’re gearing up for a union vote & this time they pro-union forces seem to have the votes.
I think flight attendants already get great benefits overall, and adding more pay will just raise ticket prices for everyone. It’s a tough job, agreed, but they knew what they were signing up for.
I agree with Mark. My friends mother was a flight attendant and she took full advantage of the benefits … so did my friend. While she thought they should get paid from the start, she was not willing to give up the benefits.
Then I suggest you trade places with a flight attendant and let us know how that works, as well as not getting a raise! A little compassion for hard workers. Cheers
Agreed. They complain they don’t get paid enough, yet both they and pilots get paid pretty well compared to the men and women who ensure the aircraft are ready for safe flight each and every day
Flight attendants have one of the hardest jobs in the airline industry. From safety briefings to dealing with challenging and even unruly passengers, they deserve every penny they’re asking for. Boarding pay should be a no-brainer.
As an Alaska frequent flyer, I’ve noticed a decline in service on flights recently. Now I see better why. It’s frustrating because it feels like the flight attendants are overworked and underappreciated. It really does affect the whole experience.
I think Alaska needs to do a better job in hiring more suited candidates for their flight attendant positions. I too have noticed the rudeness and total lack of empathy found in the flight attendants. It can’t possibly be lack of good pay……they know the pay structure before they got hired. There is a sense of “entitlement” that many flight attendants feel , they need to realize that they are Not scientists and can very easily be replaced ! If they need a raise , so do millions of other hard working workers too. Let’s not forget that all that is required to become a flight attendant is GED and some customer service experience !!
Somehow I didn’t realize flight attendants weren’t paid during boarding. That just seems so wrong, especially considering all the work they do before the plane even takes off. They deserve better than that for their time and effort.
I’m not a union guy but I’ve never understood the airlines’ policy of not paying flight attendants until the cabin door is closed. In my world, you get paid the second you open the door of your office and your clock stops the second you walk out that same door. Why aren’t the Feds mandating that?
I agree. I was an exempt employee before I retired, so we were allowed to work as much unpaid OT as we wanted. It wasn’t mandated by our employer, however, and I didn’t work much unpaid OT. I don’t understand why the airlines (at least the unionized ones) get away with it. Poor negotiating by the union?
I think the flight attendants should get paid the minute they board the plane to prepare for the flight and help passengers board. They are making $Billions and should share more of that profit with the people who are making them the money.
As one who used to fly several times a year with United when I was still actively working I found service to be lackluster right after their merge with Continental. I quit flying with them and try to avoid them when I search for flights to Europe with Lufthansa. Perhaps service and their attitude might help if they are paid the full time they are aboard the plane.
That’s because they are Continental DBA United. You’ll notice that shortly after the frequent flier program was devalued, as well. Too much of an increase in value for the Continental frequent fliers, so UA frequent fliers took the brunt of it.
Twenty years ago, I was a Ramper for a Phoenix Regional Airline.
We all knew the Flight Deck and Cabin Crews did not get paid until the aircraft was “in motion”. None of us thought it was fair to them.
As soon as the stairs or jetway was removed, we would have the tug already hooked up and ready to pull chocks. With the Captain’s approval, we would “test the brakes”, so to speak. We would signal “brake release”, the Captain would release the brakes, we would gently roll a couple of feet, signal to re-activate the parking brake, and sit and wait for the clearance to push.
That little release would activate the on-board ACARS (I think it was called) and tell the airline the Flight was active, therefore pay would start.
I don’t know if this was done airline wide, but it was a small thing that showed respect for our In-Flight co-workers. Maybe they still do it???
Blue Skies!!
Peter M
Not getting paid until the plane door closes. Is just like people having to drive 1 to 2 hours to their work place. We all sacrifice some time to start our jobs. Let’s get real the only outcome is higher ticket prices.
Flight attendants also drive to work without getting paid and this has nothing to do with that. They are at work and still not getting paid.
Not a lawyer, but when a person is required to be at a certain place at a certain time is when one should be paid. I had a court rule in my favor during a dispute with an employer on this very subject. If the flight attendants’ union agreed to not getting paid until the plane starts moving, they have the wrong people negotiating for them. You want me on the plane to start getting people seated and answer questions or direct folks to where they’re supposed to be? Pay should start right before that.