United Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new 2026 tentative agreement, approving a contract that will raise average base pay by 31% and add Boarding Pay and Sit Pay. The vote also clears the way for a $741 million payout in retro pay.
Flight attendants voted yes by 82%, with 88.85% of eligible members taking part in the ratification vote, according to a statement from the union. Ken Diaz, the MEC president, said in the statement, “In Solidarity, Ken Diaz, MEC President.”
The agreement goes beyond pay. The union said it includes quality of life improvements and sets a new standard for the profession, framing the deal as both an economic win and a turning point for working conditions.
That makes the ratification more than a contract vote. The statement also describes the deal as a launching point for the next round of bargaining, suggesting the union sees the agreement as a benchmark rather than an endpoint.
