This week in flight attendant news saw a mix of developments, from contract negotiations and airline investments to new training facilities and insights into the profession. Flight attendants continue to be at the forefront of discussions regarding passenger experience and their own working conditions. Here’s a quick look at the top stories:
-
United Flight Attendants Criticize Airline Over New Seats Amid Contract Talks
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) has publicly criticized United Airlines for announcing new Dreamliner interiors with premium seats while simultaneously seeking concessions from flight attendants during ongoing labor negotiations. The union argues that United has the financial capacity to invest in its flight attendants with an industry-leading contract that includes better compensation and work rules. Negotiations between United and the AFA have been ongoing since August 2021, with the union seeking improvements in pay, benefits, and work rules for its 28,000 members.
Published: May 15, 2025
https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/05/15/united-flight-attendants-slam-airline-over-new-seats/ -
United Airlines Opens New Training Center for Flight Attendants in Washington United Airlines has invested $16 million in a new 20,000 sq ft flight attendant training center near Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The facility, which began operations on May 15th, will train up to 650 flight attendants monthly, focusing on safety protocols, service procedures, and aircraft-specific simulations for the airline’s six fleet types. This new center aims to support United’s growth plans in the Washington D.C. area and reduce the need for flight attendants to travel to other major training hubs.
Published: May 17, 2025
United Opens New $16 Million Center to train 650 Flight Attendants -
Spirit Airlines Flight Attendant Salary and Benefits Overview for 2025
A recent report details the salary and benefits for flight attendants at Spirit Airlines in 2025, highlighting an hourly pay range of $22.51 to $60.44 based on experience. The article notes that Spirit employs over 5,000 flight attendants and outlines additional benefits such as free staff travel, partner discounts, personal development reimbursement, union membership options, and comprehensive medical insurance. The report also provides insights into the requirements and hiring process for aspiring Spirit Airlines flight attendants.
Published: May 15, 2025
Spirit Airlines Flight Attendant Salary and Benefits in 2025
Tools & Tips
- Understanding Your Flight Attendant Paystub: The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) offers a helpful article titled “Understanding Your Paystub” on their website, providing guidance on how to interpret the various components of your paycheck. This resource can assist in understanding flight hour calculations, layover pay, and other factors affecting your earnings.
News
Fun Fact
Did you know that for many flight attendants, their paid work hours typically begin only after the aircraft door is closed, and in some cases, even when the plane is wheels up? Time spent on pre-flight duties, boarding assistance, and managing passenger needs before departure is often not compensated as flight hour pay .
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any flight attendant events or utilized new flight attendant tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.