October Negotiations Update

AFA and management again met for a mediated session on October 5-6, 2026, in Chicago. Despite continued discussion, we remain far apart on the improvements Horizon Air Flight Attendants deserve.

The AFA Committee consists of MECP Lisa Davis Warren (PDX), Heather Coleman (PAE), and Lexie Massey (SEA), all current Flight Attendants; and our Staff Attorney and Negotiator, Kimberley Chaput. Management was represented by Robin DeMan, Managing Director, Inflight; Mark Schuck from Finance; and Cheri Ruger, Vice President Inflight and Labor Relations. Our mediator from the National Mediation Board (“NMB”) facilitated our discussions

Management opened the session by passing their latest comprehensive proposal. It was essentially the same as their last proposal with three significant changes:

• A higher minimum average duty period: An increase from 4.0 to 4.2 hours.
• A targeted pay increase: A 10% increase for Flight Attendants with 20 or more years of service.
• A higher lineholder minimum guarantee: An increase from 69.3 to 73 hours per month.

Management did not change any other pay rates. Instead, it proposed increasing the lineholder minimum guarantee by 3.7 hours per month to 73 hours to offset the cost of its targeted pay increase. In other words, management is asking Flight Attendants to work more hours to help fund a raise that benefits only a portion of the workforce, while leaving the broader pay scale largely untouched.

A 10% increase is something, but it must be considered in the context of the ground we have lost to inflation since our last contract. More importantly, management's proposal continues to reflect less than 10% for all Flight Attendants between years 3 and year 19. That is not the transformational improvement in compensation our members deserve

Your AFA Negotiating Committee continued to push for a pay scale that would increase wages by approximately 25% across the board. We also advocated for increased 401(k) contributions and protections against rising insurance premiums. Management did not make any movement on these priorities either. These are essential improvements to our economic security and our future. After nearly three years of negotiations, our members deserve a contract that recognizes the work we perform every day and we are not willing to accept an agreement that falls short of what our members need and deserve simply to bring negotiations to an end.

But, we have an important development in our negotiations to share. AFA is requesting a status conference with the National Mediation Board (NMB). A status conference is a meeting convened by the NMB and conducted by the Board's Chief of Staff. Both parties will have the opportunity to present their current positions, explain the issues preventing an agreement, and outline why they believe their positions are critical to reach an agreement. We believe that we are at an impasse and the status conference will give the NMB an opportunity to hear directly from both sides, better understand how we arrived at this point, and assess whether further assistance from the Board could help break the impasse.

This is step is important. It places our current challenges directly before the NMB and requires both parties to clearly explain their positions and the obstacles standing in the way of an agreement. It also helps ensure the Board is informed and positioned to consider what additional assistance may be appropriate as the process continues.

Requesting a status conference does not mean the NMB has declared an impasse or that any particular outcome is guaranteed. We will keep you informed as we learn more, including when the conference is scheduled.

Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and solidarity throughout this process. We know how exhausting these negotiations have been and understand that members want answers, progress, and a contract that delivers significant improvements after years of losing ground financially.

Our collective strength matters. Join your fellow Flight Attendants at our next picketing event on Wednesday, October 14th. Find your base's event time and details here:

Bring your coworkers, friends, and family. Let's show management that Horizon Air Flight Attendants are united, engaged, and determined to secure the contract we deserve.

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