American Airways CEO tells pilots pay will match Delta’s

American Airlines is ready to boost pilot pay to match that of Delta’s, together with 40% cumulative will increase in a potential four-year deal, CEO Robert Isom stated in a message to pilots.

Final week, Delta turned the primary of the largest U.S. airways to reach a new contract with its 15,000 pilots. They ratified a four-year deal that grants them 34% cumulative raises and different quality-of-life enhancements. The deal units the stage for different airways and unions to succeed in agreements.

The Covid journey hunch paused contract negotiations, and talks have been fraught when demand snapped again as pilots sought higher compensation and schedules.

“Let me be clear, American is ready to match Delta’s pay charges and supply American’s pilots with the identical profit-sharing method as Delta’s pilots,” Isom stated within the message to pilots, despatched Tuesday and seen by CNBC.

An settlement may embrace 21% pay will increase within the first yr of the contract, Isom stated. Factoring in greater 401(ok) contributions by the tip of a four-year deal, a captain flying narrow-body planes would make $475,000 on the prime of the size, up $135,000 from present pay, whereas essentially the most senior captains of wide-body planes would make $590,000 per yr, a $170,000 enhance from right this moment.

Isom additionally vowed higher scheduling and “extra certainty” on when pilots would fly. Pilots throughout the trade have complained about frequent schedule modifications throughout airways’ rocky path to rebuilding networks to satisfy excessive journey demand. Aviators have additionally been in short supply.

The Allied Pilots Affiliation, American Airways pilots’ union, did not instantly touch upon Isom’s assertion.