United States carrier Hawaiian Airlines and a union representing its pilots announced today that the union’s membership successfully ratified a contract providing significant compensation increases for the next four years.

Offer accepted

Pilots approved the contract outlined in a tentative agreement reached last month between Hawaiian and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents a portion of the carrier's more than 1,000 pilots. The amendment comes into effect on March 2nd, and its term extends through March 2nd, 2027.

Discussion on the contract took place last year. The airline and pilots union negotiated to include key priorities for pilots, including bonuses, financial incentives, and increased schedule flexibility in the deal. Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram expressed his gratitude for the dedication and commitment of the airline's pilots:

“Our pilots have contributed to our growth as a world-class airline and this contract recognizes their contributions to our company and their shared commitment in delivering the unmatched service Hawaiian is known for.”

Photo: Thiago B Trevisan/Shutterstock

What are the new terms?

Hawaiian Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, voted on the proposal over a period of two weeks beginning January 27th and lasting for two weeks. Hawaiian pilots voted in favor of the agreement by 65%, with 93% of eligible pilots participating in the voting process. The new contract will now come into effect on March 2nd.

The approved contract includes pay raises that will average more than 32% over the duration of the agreement. The agreement includes an immediate 16.6% pay increase on average for Hawaiian pilots. It adds a $10 million ratification bonus, raises company retirement contributions, creates a new $2,500 health reimbursement account, and increases schedule flexibility.

The agreement provides for pilots of all three aircraft types currently flown by Hawaiian Airlines. In its current fleet, Hawaiian has 18 Airbus A321-200neos and 24 Airbus A330-200s, which it uses for long-haul destinations, alongside the Boeing 717s used for intra-island travel. Captain Larry Payne, chair of ALPA’s Hawaiian Master Executive Council, expressed his excitement for fulfilling the mandate given him by the pilots going into negotiations:

“This new industry-standard agreement brings us into line with our peers and cements our status as one of the nation’s leading airlines.

“I’d like to salute our negotiating team, who completed bargaining in under two years while also negotiating a complex freight agreement that is among the best in the industry. It’s an outstanding achievement.”

“With this agreement, we successfully accomplished the goals that our pilot group set forth for us to achieve. With a tremendous period of growth ahead of us, we look forward to providing our customers with safe, reliable, professional service for years to come.”

Photo: Bill Abbott via Flickr

The deal also covers pilots of the airline's new incoming aircraft. Hawaiian Airlines is set to receive 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners between this year and 2027. In addition, the carrier has inked a deal with Amazon to operate at least 10 Airbus A330-300 freighters on behalf of the shipping giant.