FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines pilots, represented by the Allied Pilots Association, have ratified a new four-year agreement with the company.
The new contract will deliver more than $9 billion of compensation and quality-of-life benefits to American’s 15,000 pilots.
“Today is a really great day for our pilots and airline,” said American’s CEO Robert Isom. “This agreement will help American immediately expand our pilot training capacity to support under-utilized aircraft and future flying and provide our pilots with more opportunities to progress in their careers.
“We’re grateful for the company and APA negotiating teams who worked diligently and collaboratively to reach an agreement we’re proud of and one our pilots deserve,” he added. “And, I would like to personally thank and congratulate Capt. Ed Sicher, APA President, for his superb leadership throughout the negotiating process.”
The APA, which represents 15,000 pilots at the Texas-based carrier, said Monday that 72.7% of the pilots voted for the deal, which will result in an immediate pay raise of more than 21%, according to Reuters.
Overall, compensation for pilots at the airline will rise by more than 46% during the contract’s duration.
“It’s unprecedented and historic,” Sicher told Reuters.
United Airlines last month announced a preliminary deal for a new four-year contract that would give its pilots a cumulative increase of 34.5%-40.2% in pay, Reuters reported.
