As part of an agreement struck between United Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), United pilots will enjoy priority on first class seating upgrades. United pilots will now benefit from permanent first class deadheads on the rare occasions they are required.
This perk has been a long-term pilots union goal stretching back over a decade. United Airlines made the concession, amongst other changes, to avoid furloughing almost 3,000 employees.
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How the priority system works
Airline employees will occasionally travel off-duty aboard flights to reach their next work destination, a practice known as 'deadheading'. As reported today in A View From The Wing, the recent agreement means United pilots will be first in line for upgrades to first class seating, if there is space available.
This will ensure comfort for the off duty pilot, which has to be a good thing. However, if the first class cabin is already booked, passengers will never be bumped in order to make room for a deadheading pilot. The UA worker will simply assume a position in economy, in this case.
Will this affect business?
In the current climate, demand for first class seats is at an all-time low. There simply aren't enough passengers traveling by air, so the immediate financial impact of the new priority system will be minimal. Once demand begins to pick up, paying passengers will likely take priority anyway.
United pilots are in luck with recent changes, after the airline announced it is upgrading the quality of its first class meals.
Details of other changes
United Airlines and ALPA reached a number of other agreements which will have a substantial impact on future policy. Firstly, pilots will get a wage increase once the airline returns to a zone of profitability. This deal was struck in exchange for a reduction in minimum pilot hours, enabling United Airlines to keep more pilots employed and minimize training costs.
The union also successfully bargained for tighter scope restrictions for United's regional airline (United Express) during the talks. As part of the agreement, pilot furloughing has been suspended until June 2021 after the airline initially planned a mass furlough by Oct 1. As United spokesman Frank Benenati explained:
"Our pilots are voting right now on a tentative agreement that, if approved, would avoid all pilot furloughs for at least nine months,"
The future of United Airlines
The latest changes have averted a potential disaster for United Airlines by preventing a PR nightmare and keeping pilots happy. As United pilot union Chairman Captain Todd Insler said in a statement:
“This agreement underscores our commitment to all 13,000 United pilots and represents the importance of creative solutions needed to mitigate massive layoffs for our pilots.”
Despite the welcome news for pilots, United Airlines is still going ahead with furloughing 13,000 staff including flight attendants and airport staff. In a recent message to its staff, the airline stated:
“To our departing 13,000 family members: thank you for your dedication and we look forward to welcoming you back.”
Do you agree with the changes United Airlines has made? Let us know in the comments.