Union seeks 20% pay increase for American Airlines’ pilots

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing up to 15,000 American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) pilots, is seeking a 20.4% pay increase over three years, according to the union’s new president Ed Sicher.

In an interview with Forbes, Sicher emphasized that the airline had “been running my pilots ragged,” and said that alongside the pay raise the union is seeking better flight scheduling for its pilots.

“If it’s less than 20%, I don’t think our pilots would accept it,” said Boeing 737 Captain Sicher, who took the APA role in July 2022.

This news follows an earlier announcement made in late June 2022, where American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) put forward a new pay offer for its pilots, which included a base pay increase of 17% and other enhanced payments.

In the earlier offer, CEO Robert Isom confirmed that its pilots were offered base pay increases of 16.9% through 2024, as well as increases to many other pay components such as per diem and training pay, and a 50% premium on all reassignments, which included reserves.