Flight attendants for major airlines flying to, from, and within Hawaii—such as Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, American, and United—are at different stages of addressing compensation issues. Here’s a look at each airline’s current status and what’s ahead as Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines prepare to unite their flight attendant workforces under a single operating certificate.
Hawaiian Airlines.
Before joining forces with Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines has yet to introduce boarding pay for its flight attendants, which covers time spent assisting passengers before takeoff. Despite being a key carrier to, from, and within Hawaii, HA hasn’t taken public steps to implement boarding pay, and their union has not indicated any immediate moves toward achieving this compensation. As industry trends shift, pressure may mount on Hawaiian to reconsider its stance, especially as the integration with Alaska progresses.
Alaska Airlines.
Alaska Airlines (pre-Hawaiian acquisition) flight attendants rejected a contract proposal in August that didn’t include boarding pay. Represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), they continue to push for this benefit, aligning with the growing trend for fair compensation.
The rejected three-year deal would have increased pay by 32%, offered retroactive pay, and included highly desired boarding pay. As negotiations continue, Alaska’s flight attendants remain focused on securing improved compensation, especially in light of the impending integration with Hawaiian Airlines.
Southwest Airlines.
Southwest’s flight attendants ratified a new contract earlier this year that included a 22% pay raise but did not feature boarding pay. Despite discussions around this issue during negotiations, Southwest’s focus on shorter domestic routes may have made boarding pay less of a priority. This decision aligns Southwest with other major carriers that don’t compensate flight attendants for boarding time.
American Airlines.
American Airlines recently became the first major unionized airline to secure boarding pay, marking a significant win for its 28,0000 flight attendants. Following a prolonged campaign and a strike authorization, American’s flight attendants will now receive half their regular rate during boarding. This groundbreaking achievement set a new industry standard and re-energized flight attendants across other airlines in pursuing similar compensation.
Delta Air Lines.
Delta made headlines in 2022 by introducing half-pay for boarding, becoming the first U.S. airline to offer this benefit despite not having a unionized flight attendant workforce. This move was seen as an effort to stay competitive and help curb unionization efforts.
Delta’s decision created momentum across the industry, influencing negotiations at American Airlines and encouraging flight attendants at other carriers to pursue similar compensation packages. It’s estimated that, on average, a Delta flight attendant might earn an additional $20 per flight for boarding time.
United Airlines.
United Airlines flight attendants actively demand boarding pay in their ongoing contract negotiations. They have planned a significant “day of action” on October 17 at United’s corporate headquarters in Chicago to protest the stalled talks, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction with the current pay structure. The recently inked deal at American Airlines might add momentum to United flight attendants’ efforts, potentially influencing their ability to secure boarding pay as well.
What’s Next for Hawaii Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian?
Here’s what their flight attendant union said about the joint labor force as a single carrier:
When they unite as a single carrier, the union representing Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants aims to “combine the best from each Flight Attendant Contract in addition to other improvements.”
The tentative joint contract will require approval from all flight attendants in the merged group. This includes negotiating boarding pay, an issue gaining momentum across the industry. With Delta and American Airlines leading the way, pressure is mounting for Hawaii-serving airlines to compensate flight attendants fairly, potentially reshaping industry pay standards.
Do you think Hawaii flight attendants should receive boarding pay?
