After Years of Negotiation, Pilots Gain 29% Raise with Stepped Increases

Southwest Airlines pilots ratified their tentative agreement to the tune of 93% in their recent vote, solidifying the last of the 'Big Four' in domestic airlines.

The deal stands for a 5-year contract, which will grant an immediate 29.15% increase in pay rates upon ratification, followed by yearly increases of 4% in 2025, 2026, and 2027. That drops to a smaller 3.25% bump in 2028. All in all, it adds up to a 50% pay raise over contract term.

While the pay is always the headliner, some quality of life improvements should help improve scheduling, retirement, and parental leave programs for the average line pilot, too. A one-time headset reimbursement up to $1,000 is another small improvement noted, too, but it appears to be one and done if water cooler talk is correct.

“This has been a long time coming and it is only through the unity of our pilot group that we were able to achieve the gains in this contract,” said pilots’ union President Casey Murray. He said the agreement gives pilots “the security and protections that have been long needed.”

FMI: www.swapa.org