9.12.25 – One Year Strong: Reflecting on Our Contract Victory

One Year Strong:
Reflecting on Our Contract Victory

Friday, September 12, 2025

One year ago today, with an impressive 94.43% participation rate, 88.64% of American Airlines Flight Attendants voted YES to ratify the 2024 Tentative Agreement. Since then, significant improvements have been implemented.

During these negotiations, Flight Attendants secured immediate wage increases of 18%–20.5%, and a 27% boost to per diem. Retirement security was strengthened with a 401(k) contribution increase from 5.5% to 9%, including a 5% Company match. These gains represent more than numbers on paper—they are real improvements in our pay, benefits, and quality of life, achieved through our solidarity and our collective power.

New Economic Gains Deliver Real Value

Compensation for Hotel Delays

The contract also delivered important new economic items. The new Compensation for Hotel Delays ensures 150% pay for hotel delays following schedule modifications—compensating Flight Attendants for being left waiting.

Sit Rig Pay

In addition, the introduction of a Sit Time Rig guarantees one minute of pay for every two minutes of ground time beyond 2 hours and 30 minutes, finally recognizing the value of our time spent on long sits between flights.

Boarding Pay Premium

For the first time, Flight Attendants are compensated for the critical work we perform during boarding—a phase of flight that is among the busiest and most stressful parts of our job. The contract now provides pay at 50% of your hourly rate for every minute of scheduled boarding time. This boarding pay premium establishes the principle that our time on the ground has value and must be paid.

Just as we fought to achieve this first step, we will keep pushing in future contracts to secure full recognition for all the work we perform.

Retirement Health Reimbursement Account (RHRA)

Another important economic improvement in our new contract is the ability to convert unused sick time into retirement security. Upon retirement, Flight Attendants can now transfer their sick bank into a Retirement Health Reimbursement Account (RHRA) at 50% of their hourly wage. This means that the time we’ve invested in building our sick banks doesn’t disappear—it is converted into real dollars that can be used to cover healthcare expenses in retirement.

---

What’s Next?

For the full list of items set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and beyond, please visit the Contract Implementation section of the APFA website.

---

This contract would not have been possible without our credible strike threat and the unwavering solidarity of Flight Attendants across the system. We proved once again that management listens when we stand together and are ready to act. As we mark one year since ratification, let’s remember: every gain we’ve secured was won through unity and determination—and it is that same strength that will carry us forward into future fights.

In Solidarity,