Airlines

American Airlines Pilots on the Verge of Approving Groundbreaking Contract with Significant Pay Raises

The pilots’ union at American Airlines will vote this month on a new contract that calls for a 21% salary rise this year, in addition to retroactive raises going back to 2020 and more increases in future years.

The May provisional agreement will be put to a vote among union members to establish a new collective bargaining agreement, according to the Allied Pilots Association, which represents more than 15,000 pilots at American. This decision was made, the union’s board of directors declared on Friday.

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The Allied Pilots Association reports that members will cast ballots between July 24 and August 7. The agreement is in force for four years and is amendable beginning on August 1, 2027. Based on qualified earnings, pilots would receive back pay of 4% in 2020, 4% in 2021, 14% in 2022, and around 21% in 2023 for the three months prior to the date of signing.

The pay increase for American’s pilots would be roughly 21% this year, 5% in 2024, 4% in 2025, 4% in 2026, and 3% in 2027. Pilots would get a 17% 401(k) contribution in 2024, and an increased 18% contribution in 2026. By 2027, that entails a rise of 41.5%.

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In line with Delta Air Lines, the new contract would increase profit sharing to 10% up to $2.5 billion in pre-tax profit and 20% for anything higher. There are also new names for long-term disability, benefits, and other things.

Speaking on behalf of American Airlines, spokesperson Sarah Jantz stated, “We appreciate the Allied Pilots Association board of directors reviewing the proposed tentative agreement on a new four-year contract for American’s pilots. With improved quality-of-life features that are specific to American’s pilots, the agreement would give our pilots salary and profit sharing that are competitive with the highest levels in the industry. Our pilots deserve this contract, which we are happy to provide them.

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Airlines

Virgin Atlantic Sued Over Alleged Age Discrimination: Cabin Crew Seek Justice

Virgin Atlantic finds itself embroiled in legal proceedings as over 200 former cabin crew members launch a lawsuit against the airline, alleging discriminatory practices during the period of the pandemic.

The dispute centers on accusations that the company unfairly targeted older employees for dismissal while retaining newer, less costly hires.

The pandemic’s onset in March 2020 triggered a cascade of challenges for the aviation industry, leading Virgin Atlantic to ground a significant portion of its fleet. In response, the airline swiftly implemented cost-cutting measures, including the reduction of its workforce by over 40%, amounting to the loss of 3,000 jobs.

Additionally, it established a “holding pool” for potentially rehiring redundant staff once normal operations resumed. However, the crux of the legal battle lies in the claim that Virgin Atlantic retained approximately 350 new cabin crew members, some with minimal training periods as short as a week.

While simultaneously letting go of experienced onboard managers, many of whom boasted an average age of 45 years and two decades of service. This perceived discrepancy forms the backbone of the lawsuit, with former employees contending that age became a determining factor in the airline’s decision-making process.

In response, a Virgin Atlantic representative stated: “Virgin Atlantic had to make very difficult decisions following the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry.” Regretfully, this meant a 45% reduction in the total number of employees within the company.

Airlines

End of an Era: Qantas Retires Final Boeing 767 Freighter

Qantas has officially bid farewell to its last Boeing 767 aircraft, marking the end of an era that began nearly four decades ago.

The final 767, a dedicated freighter variant registered as VH-EFR, operated its last flight on May 17, 2024. This concluding journey took it from Hong Kong (HKG) to Sydney (SYD) under the flight number QF7526, closing the chapter on Qantas’s use of the 767 after 39 years.

The Australian airline commemorated the occasion with an Instagram post on Friday, announcing the retirement of VH-EFR, their last remaining 767. According to Cirium Ascend Fleet Analyzer data, this aircraft is a little over 18 years old. It joined the Qantas fleet in 2011, having previously served Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) as a cargo plane.

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Despite being owned by Qantas, the aircraft was operated by Express Freighters Australia under the Qantas Freight brand.

The Boeing 767 has had a versatile history with Qantas. Initially, the aircraft was used on international routes, flying to destinations in New Zealand, Asia, and North America. Following the 1992 merger with Australian Airlines, the 767s were increasingly deployed for domestic services as well.

Although Qantas is retiring this specific freighter, the Boeing 767-300 freighter model remains active globally. Records indicate that 280 of these aircraft are still operational, serving 14 airlines around the world.

Airlines

United Flight Diverts to Shannon, After Stuck Laptop in Business Class Seat

A United Airlines flight from Zurich to Chicago O’Hare was forced to make an emergency diversion to Shannon, Ireland.

On Saturday afternoon after a passenger got their laptop wedged in a Business Class seat aboard the Boeing 767-300. Operating as United Flight 12, the aircraft departed from Flughafen Zürich at 9:46 a.m. local time and took off at 10:08 a.m.

The captain decided to divert the flight not because the passenger couldn’t access their laptop, but because any device powered by lithium-ion batteries that becomes inaccessible could pose a significant safety risk.

Such devices, if damaged or overheated, could lead to a thermal runaway event, potentially causing a fire on board. The Boeing 767-300, featuring United’s relatively new Polaris business-class cabin, landed safely at Shannon Airport in County Clare at 1:43 p.m. IST (Irish Summer Time) and reached the gate at 1:51 p.m.

In a statement, United Airlines acknowledged the diversion: “United flight 12 scheduled from Zurich to Chicago landed safely in Shannon to address a potential safety risk caused by a laptop being stuck in an inaccessible location.” This situation led to the cancellation of the flight, and the airline is working to reroute the 157 passengers who found themselves unexpectedly in Ireland.

Frequent flyers are often reminded in airline safety videos not to move their seats if they lose mobile phones or other gadgets powered by lithium-ion batteries within the seats. Attempting to retrieve such items by moving the seat can damage the battery and potentially cause a dangerous situation.