Flight Attendant Weekly Brief: May 20ā26, 2025
From landmark labor agreements to critical operational changes and new technological advancements, hereās the most relevant Flight Attendant industry news from the past week:
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United Airlines Reaches Historic Tentative Agreement with AFA-CWA
United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) have achieved a landmark tentative agreement impacting 28,000 Flight Attendants. This proposed contract is being hailed as industry-leading, offering significant improvements in compensation, including a remarkable 40% gain in total economic improvements within the first year, along with substantial retro pay. Beyond financial gains, the agreement addresses crucial quality-of-life factors such as hotel accommodations, scheduling practices, and reserve periods. This milestone follows extensive mediated negotiations and a prior vote by Flight Attendants to authorize a strike, demonstrating the unionās strong position in securing enhanced working conditions. The agreementās details are now under review by local union leaders before being presented to members for ratification. This āindustry-leadingā agreement, secured after a strike authorization vote, establishes a new benchmark for compensation and quality-of-life improvements across the sector. Its success suggests an increased bargaining power for flight attendant unions in the current labor market, potentially influencing ongoing or future contract negotiations at other major U.S. airlines. The specific focus on hotels, scheduling, and reserve improvements directly tackles some of the most significant stressors associated with the irregular work environment of Flight Attendants, indicating a growing recognition by airlines of the importance of non-monetary benefits for crew retention and overall job satisfaction.
Published: May 23, 2025
https://www.afacwa.org/reaches_ta2025_united -
FAA Implements Stricter Measures to Tackle Newark Delays
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an interim order to implement temporary reduced targeted scheduling limits at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), effective May 20, 2025. This decisive action aims to mitigate the substantial flight delays that have plagued EWR, which are exacerbated by ongoing construction, air traffic control staffing shortages (with the Philadelphia TRACON, overseeing Newark, operating at 63% staffing), and recent equipment malfunctions. The order imposes specific hourly caps on arrivals and departures, with non-compliant airlines facing civil penalties. Furthermore, no new unscheduled operations will be accommodated through the summer season. The FAAās direct intervention at EWR, citing critical staffing and infrastructure issues, highlights a systemic vulnerability within the National Airspace System. While these caps are intended to reduce delays, they could lead to fewer flight opportunities for some crews or, conversely, more stable, albeit reduced, schedules for those based at EWR. The persistent delays and operational disruptions, even with these new limits, continue to place increased stress on Flight Attendants who are on the front lines of managing passenger expectations and ensuring adherence to duty time regulations. Airlines must carefully manage crew rest and re-assignments to ensure compliance and support Flight Attendant well-being amidst these ongoing operational challenges.
Published: May 23, 2025
Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 99 (Friday, May 23, 2025) -
United Airlines Implements Stricter Check-in Time Limits
Effective June 3, United Airlines is implementing stricter check-in time limits for all domestic passengers. Previously, travelers without checked bags had a 30-minute cutoff, but under the new policy, all domestic passengers, regardless of whether they have baggage, must complete check-in at least 45 minutes prior to their scheduled departure. This change aims to establish a consistent cutoff time for all domestic travelers and streamline pre-flight operations. It primarily affects passengers who physically check in at the airport, as digital check-ins via the United app or website without baggage drop-off remain unaffected. This policy adjustment reflects an airlineās strategy to enhance on-time performance and operational efficiency by placing greater responsibility on passengers for timely airport arrival. While beneficial for airline operations, it could lead to increased instances of passengers being denied boarding if they are unaware of or unable to meet the new, stricter deadline. Stricter check-in times, especially when combined with potential increases in carry-on luggage due to other airline policy changes, could create a more intense and time-sensitive boarding process for Flight Attendants. This necessitates efficient management of passenger flow and swift cabin readiness to ensure on-time departures.
Published: May 24, 2025
The Airline News You Might've Missed ā Fourth Week of May 2025
Tools & Tips
JAL-AI Report: Streamlining In-Flight Reporting with AI Japan Airlines (JAL) is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance cabin crew productivity with its new āJAL-AI Reportā mobile app. This innovative tool is specifically designed to significantly streamline the often time-consuming post-flight reporting process. Powered by Microsoftās Phi-4 small language model, the app allows Flight Attendants to generate comprehensive handover reports simply by inputting keywords, checking relevant boxes, and with future enhancements, even dictating information. Crucially, the Phi-4 modelās efficiency allows the app to function offline, making it ideal for in-flight use where connectivity can be unreliable. The primary objective is to drastically reduce the administrative time spent on paperwork, thereby freeing up crew members to focus more on providing exceptional passenger service. This development exemplifies a growing trend of utilizing AI to automate mundane administrative tasks, directly improving the productivity and job satisfaction of frontline aviation professionals and marking a significant step towards a more digitally integrated cabin environment.
Japan Airlinesā new AI app will make it easier for cabin attendants to report inflight events with Microsoftās Phi-4 small language model - Source Asia
Fun Fact
Did you know? Historically, the majority of U.S. Flight Attendants have not been compensated for all the crucial work performed before the aircraft doors close. This includes essential duties such as assisting passengers with seating, stowing carry-on bags, and conducting thorough pre-flight safety checks. This unpaid labor often accumulates to several hours per day. However, there has been a positive shift in recent years: Delta Air Lines notably began offering boarding pay to its Flight Attendants in 2022, and American Airlines followed suit in 2024, including a similar provision in their new contract. These developments represent significant steps towards ensuring Flight Attendants are compensated for all their valuable time on duty.
6 Surprising Things About Being a Flight Attendant ā Daily Passport
Weād 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 usāweāre featuring selected community voices in next weekās edition.