Alaska, Hawaiian Pilots Back Joint Contract as United Opens New Dulles Concourse

Pilot union leaders at Alaska Air Group Inc.’s two airlines have unanimously approved a tentative joint contract after more than 600 days of talks. The decision clears the way for a vote that would bring Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines pilots under a single agreement.

The Air Line Pilots Association’s master executive councils at both carriers backed the deal on Wednesday, and members will vote from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22. “This TA is the result of more than 600 days of challenging negotiations,” said Drew Coyle, chair of the Alaska pilots’ council. “Nothing about this process was easy.”

The four-year agreement would set a 12-year widebody captain’s pay at $493.41 an hour in 2027, rising to 539.16 dollars by 2030. An annual market adjustment would lift rates to the average paid by American, Delta, Southwest and United on comparable aircraft, or by 3%, whichever is greater. Company contributions to pilots’ 401(k) plans would rise to 18%.

The deal also tightens scope protections, cutting the permitted share of small regional aircraft to 40% of the mainline fleet from 43%. A single contract is a key step in completing the 1.9 billion dollar merger of the two airlines. After ratification, the pilots will still need to agree on a combined seniority list.

United Airlines Holdings Inc., meanwhile, opened Concourse E at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, the airport’s first new concourse in two decades. The 14 gates are reserved for United, which says they will increase connections at the hub by nearly 30% at peak times. The concourse also has a United Club of almost 40,000 square feet with more than 600 seats, the carrier’s second-largest lounge.

“The construction of United’s new Concourse E has supported 2,700 good paying jobs,” Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury said. United expects Dulles to exceed 300 daily departures next summer.