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Chicago, United States: United Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new five-year labor agreement that delivers significant improvements in pay, benefits, and working conditions, concluding one of the most closely watched negotiations in the U.S. aviation sector in recent years. The contract, approved by around 30,000 cabin crew members represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, passed with 82% support following a high voter turnout. The agreement introduces an estimated 31% average wage increase over the duration of the contract, marking one of the largest pay adjustments for flight attendants at United Airlines in decades. The pay structure will be implemented in phases, with initial increases beginning in the summer schedule cycle and further adjustments rolling out across the contract period. A major highlight of the deal is the introduction of boarding pay, a long-standing demand from flight attendants across the industry. Under the new terms, crew members will now be compensated for time spent during passenger boarding, addressing a period that was previously unpaid despite active operational duties. The agreement also extends compensation provisions for extended ground delays and certain operational disruptions. The contract additionally includes approximately $741 million in retroactive payments, covering past service periods and ensuring compensation adjustments linked to prior years of work. According to union and media reports, this retroactive component represents one of the most substantial back-pay settlements in recent airline labor agreements. Beyond wages, the agreement introduces several quality-of-life and scheduling improvements. These include enhanced retirement contributions, expanded paid parental leave of around 10 weeks, and strengthened protections related to scheduling practices. The deal also places limits on disruptive “red-eye” scheduling patterns and reduces certain reserve duty constraints that previously affected crew predictability. Union leadership described the agreement as a product of prolonged negotiations and collective bargaining efforts that stretched over several years, including earlier tentative agreements that were not approved by members. The final ratification reflects broad member support, with participation nearing 90% in the voting process, according to union data. Implementation of the contract is expected to begin immediately in phases, with retroactive payments processed following payroll adjustments later in the cycle. Both the union and airline have characterized the agreement as a long-term resolution that brings stability after years of negotiations.

United Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify 5-Year Contract With 31% Pay Rise, Boarding Pay

Aviation Today News Desk / May 14, 2026

Chicago, United States: United Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new five-year labor agreement that delivers significant improvements in pay, […]

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew staged coordinated industrial action, disrupting travel for around 100,000 passengers . The 24-hour strike began shortly after midnight on Thursday, February 12, and affected most Lufthansa-operated services, particularly at its main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, where departure boards showed widespread cancellations throughout the day. According to multiple industry reports, Lufthansa removed approximately 800 flights from its schedule, representing more than half of its planned daily operations. The airline said the walkout caused significant disruption to both short-haul and long-haul services, including intercontinental departures. Lufthansa confirmed that about 100,000 passengers were impacted by the cancellations. The airline implemented large-scale rebooking measures, transferring travellers to partner airlines within the Lufthansa Group including Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines as well as offering rail alternatives within Germany in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn. Passengers were advised not to travel to the airport unless they had received confirmation that their flight was operating. Lufthansa also stated that customers whose flights were cancelled were eligible for full refunds or rebooking at no extra cost. Under European passenger rights rules, affected travellers may also be entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, as airline staff strikes are generally not classified as extraordinary circumstances. The strike was triggered by parallel disputes involving two major unions: Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), representing pilots, over disagreements related to pension schemes and retirement benefits. UFO (Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation), representing cabin crew, over job security, working conditions and collective agreements, including concerns linked to Lufthansa’s regional subsidiary operations. The strike was driven by unresolved labour disputes between staff unions and Lufthansa management, the main issues were pension benefits, job security and stalled contract negotiations. Union leaders said negotiations with Lufthansa management had stalled after months of talks, prompting the one-day walkout. Lufthansa management described the action as “disproportionate and unnecessary”, warning that the disruption would affect not only passengers but also Germany’s wider aviation network during a high-demand travel period. As of Friday, February 13, Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that the strike had ended as scheduled, and that flight operations were largely returning to normal. No further industrial action has been announced at this stage. The airline said most services were operating according to schedule on Friday, although minor residual delays and isolated cancellations remained possible due to aircraft and crew repositioning. The disruption coincided with a busy week in Germany, with international travel demand elevated due to major events such as the Munich Security Conference and the opening of the Berlin International Film Festival, amplifying the impact on business and diplomatic travel. Lufthansa operates more than 700 aircraft and carries over 100 million passengers annually, making it one of Europe’s largest airline groups. The strike represents one of the most significant single-day disruptions to its operations in recent years.

Airlines

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew

Taipei, Taiwan: EVA Air is under global scrutiny following the death of a 34-year-old flight attendant, identified by the surname Sun, who reportedly fell ill during a long-haul flight from Milan to Taipei. The attendant sought medical treatment upon arrival at Taoyuan Airport on September 25 and was initially treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou. She was later transferred to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, where she passed away on October 10. Reports indicate that Sun had informed her cabin chief about receiving an injection at the airport for pain and fever before being referred to a hospital's rheumatology department. Doctors suspected Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD), a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by high fevers, salmon-colored rashes, sore throat, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The condition affects roughly 1 in 100,000 people worldwide and can lead to severe complications such as pericarditis, pneumonia, or macrophage activation syndrome, which carries a high mortality rate. The Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union has called for better care and support for sick flight attendants, urging EVA Air to ease sick leave rules. EVA Air has launched an internal investigation, and Taiwan labor authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding Sun’s death. EVA Air is currently facing a public relations fallout on multiple fronts. The story has gone global, fueling anger over reports that cabin leadership failed to call in medical support teams or summon an ambulance for a severely ill employee. A viral social media post, reportedly shared by fellow crew members, claimed that Sun’s appeals for rest and medical aid were disregarded. It further suggested that many EVA Air flight attendants avoid taking sick or personal leave due to concerns that doing so could negatively impact their performance scores and bonuses. Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) stated it would closely oversee EVA Air’s response to the incident and assess whether the airline complied with all required safety and labor standards.

Airlines

EVA Air Flight Attendant Dies Following Long-Haul Flight, Investigations Underway

Aviation Today News Desk / October 14, 2025

Taipei, Taiwan: EVA Air is under global scrutiny following the death of a 34-year-old flight attendant, identified by the surname

airline workers

United Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify 5-Year Contract With 31% Pay Rise, Boarding Pay

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

EVA Air Flight Attendant Dies Following Long-Haul Flight, Investigations Underway

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