JetBlue Pilots Agree to Contract Extension

JetBlue Pilots Contract Extension has been agreed upon, which includes a 21.5% salary increase over the next 18 months. This agreement comes at a time when the airline industry is facing a pilot shortage and is making efforts to expedite labor deals. The union representing JetBlue’s pilots has stated that if the airline’s proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines is not approved by regulators, they will return to the negotiating table with JetBlue. The contract extension was voted in favor by 75% of JetBlue’s pilots who participated, as reported by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), their representative body.

The aviation industry has been struggling with labor negotiations as pilots demand higher pay and better schedules, and a shortage of pilots limits airlines’ growth. Delta Air Lines is currently reviewing a contract proposal with its 15,000 pilots that includes a pay increase of 34% over four years. Other major U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, are still negotiating with their pilots’ unions.