"Zero Concessions", Said ALPA Negotiators Bearing 27% Pay Boost

Spirit Airlines pilots may have an agreement on the way, according to the negotiations committee from the Air Line Pilots Association. 

The tentative agreement with Spirit Airlines lays out an economic gain of $463 million over the next 2 years, with zero concessions. The deal should grant Spirit pilots a pay boost to the tune of 27%, should it be ratified. ALPA's Spirit leadership met and voted unanimously to send the agreement to the pilot group for membership ratification, which could allow it to become effective as early as January 1, 2023.

“This agreement represents the first step toward Building Our Legacy and stands in stark contrast to previous bargaining cycles at Spirit and other large jet carriers, where pilots have endured years of stagnating compensation while negotiating comprehensive pilot contracts,” said Spirit’s Master Executive Council chair Capt. Ryan Muller.

A union memo sent to Spirit membership on Friday paints an even prettier picture for the aviators, stating that the deal will result in a 43% cumulative weighted average pay raise for FOs. For captains, that bears out to a 25% wage increase, with an average of 34% across all pilots. The union has planned to hit the road and bolster support for the deal ahead of the ratification vote, hoping to sink their teeth into a pretty good deal while it’s on the table.

News of Delta’s infamous “34% contract” has continued to bounce to and fro throughout the industry, exciting pilots and stressing executives alike. For a low-cost-carrier like Spirit to put up such an increase is telling about the state of the industry - pilots have a good deal of bargaining power at the moment, and even the “cheap” airlines will have to plonk some serious money on the table or watch their ATPs walk out to greener pastures. 

FMI: www.spirit.com