Air Canada flight attendants have ended their three-day strike after securing a benefit that had become a major focus of contract talks: pay for work done on the ground before and after flights take off and land. The deal was reached in sparse details, but the union representing over 10,000 flight attendants said it has secured “unpaid work is over” with its newfound power.
The strike, which began on Saturday, resulted in over 2,000 flight cancellations, bringing attention to a common airline pay practice where many airlines base flight attendants’ pay on hours worked when the cabin doors are closed. Delta Air Lines was the first major U.S. carrier to introduce boarding pay for employees in 2022, followed by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
However, boarding pay remains uncommon, with United Airlines agreeing to offer it during contract talks. Regional carriers like PSA Airlines, which operates shorter flights, often have flight attendants spending more time on duty during boarding.
The rules for compensating flight attendants for delayed and canceled trips also vary by airline. Some airlines guarantee payment for trips that are canceled or delayed, while others may receive little compensation. Air Canada agreed to match the pay for boarding offered by American Airlines but was criticized by the union for excluding certain types of work.
In recent years, flight attendants have not had enough bargaining power to secure boarding pay. The 9/11 attacks and subsequent economic downturns limited their ability to negotiate better benefits. However, with airlines’ financial success in recent years, labor unions have become more empowered to demand better pay and benefits. Flight attendants also face increased stress due to crowded planes, stricter security measures, and passengers carrying more bags.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union representing flight attendants at American Airlines, described boarding as “the most chaotic part of the day.” With airlines’ financial success, flight attendants can now demand better treatment, including boarding pay.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/business/air-canada-strike-boarding-pay.html