With AFA, improvements to pay are stop-and-go
Union contract negotiations are unpredictable and can drag on for years. For the flight attendants stuck in the process, that could mean waiting years to see any meaningful changes to pay and other items. This stop-and-go pattern makes it difficult to grow savings and respond to rising costs in real time.
- At AFA-represented United, pay rates were negotiated back in 2016. Because of 3+ year contract negotiations, they haven’t had a pay raise since 2021.
- Even retro pay rarely makes up for years of no pay increases. At American, it took APFA five years to negotiate its new flight attendant contract, which included retro pay. A Delta flight attendant still made $20,900* - $33,700^ more in total compensation through 2024 than their American counterparts did including retro pay**.
Compare that with Delta’s track record, which consistently delivers for flight attendants year after year:
- Annual pay increases have delivered flight attendants a 14% pay increase since 2022 and an extra 8-10% each year, on average, from our industry-first boarding premium pay.
- Increased per diem for both domestic (up nearly 16% to $3.30) and transoceanic (up nearly 6% to $3.55) trips in 2024.
- Increased daily vacation pay rate from 4:15 to 4:35 per day. This is the seventh time in the past 13 years Delta has increased daily vacation pay rates.
Go back further and you’ll find Delta is always moving forward. While others sit and wait for pay increases and other improvements, Delta continues to deliver more for you.
*Total compensation for a new hire flight attendant in Jan. 2019
^Total compensation for flight attendant at top-of-scale in Jan. 2019
**Delta total compensation includes hourly flight pay + boarding premium pay + Shared Rewards + profit sharing. American does not offer a shared rewards program and did not offer boarding premium pay during this period. Assumes standard 80 hour monthly schedule.
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*By texting the keyword above, you are agreeing to receive periodic SMS text messages from Delta Air Lines regarding One Future. One Delta. Standard messaging and data rates may apply. You may unsubscribe any time by texting “STOP” and the keyword above to +1 205 846 8096. Full Terms.