Delta Air Lines Pilots Agree To Four Year Pay Boost Deal, Long Negotiations With Carrier End

Delta Air Lines, Inc DAL pilots approved a new deal that provides a 34% pay boost over a four-year agreement, setting a potential example as other U.S. carriers and their pilots’ unions pursue similar contract negotiations.
Delta said the agreement, which runs through December 2026, would position its 15,000 pilots to enjoy competitive compensation and work-rule headways, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The Air Line Pilots Association, representing Delta pilots, said 78% of the Atlanta-based carrier’s pilots endorsed the agreement.
Also Read: United Airlines Intends To Accelerate 5% Pay Hike For Pilots: Report
ALPA said the contract’s pay increases represent over $7 billion in cumulative increases over the agreement term. The union said the deal would also improve vacation and other benefits.
Delta’s negotiations with its pilots began in 2019 and entered federal mediation in 2020 before being paused because of the pandemic.
Airlines and pilot unions struggled to come to terms on new contracts recently as carriers rebounded from the pandemic-induced restrictions and travelers’ fears leading to a sharp drop in travel demand.
Inflation raised pilots’ expectations for a pay boost and pressured the carriers to contain costs.
Price Action: DAL shares traded lower by 1.08% at $38.09 on the last check Thursday.