JetBlue Soars Higher: Flight Attendant Pay Increased as Union Supports Spirit Merger

JetBlue Airways announced plans to increase flight attendant pay in 2026 and received support from the cabin crews’ union for its acquisition of budget carrier Spirit Airlines.

In November, flight attendants will receive a 5% raise. This will be followed by an additional 2% raise, along with various other bonuses and previously negotiated raises under the flight attendants’ union contract, resulting in cumulative raises of 21.5% in 2026, as stated in a company memo revealed by CNBC on Friday.

These raises come amidst JetBlue’s efforts to acquire Spirit, a merger that has been challenged by the Justice Department. The trial for the lawsuit is scheduled to commence on October 16 in Boston.

If the acquisition of Spirit goes through, JetBlue has committed not to furlough or displace any flight attendants or close associated bases for a period of seven years, as mentioned in the memo.

A JetBlue spokesperson stated, “The current contract was negotiated during COVID, and since then our inflight crewmembers’ pay rates have fallen below those of other airlines by a significant margin. It is crucial that we are able to attract and retain high-quality crewmembers with competitive pay and benefits, as they play a significant role in delivering the JetBlue experience.”

In support of the planned acquisition, the union has agreed to refrain from holding additional information pickets or publicly speaking against the acquisition, according to a note sent to members.

JetBlue has also agreed to provide additional pay for staff operating the carrier’s trans-Atlantic routes and in the Mint business-class cabin, along with other incentives, as documented in a letter of agreement with the Transport Workers Union, which represents JetBlue’s 7,000 flight attendants.