American Airlines Regional Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

New deal includes immediate 10% pay raise and other improvements for PSA Airlines crew members.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The union representing flight attendants at American Airlines' regional carrier PSA Airlines announced a tentative three-year contract agreement that includes a 10% immediate pay increase, pay for boarding, scheduling improvements, and additional pay scale raises over the life of the deal. The agreement, which still needs to be ratified by flight attendants, would result in a 30-50% increase in total compensation for PSA crew members.

Why it matters

This contract negotiation was closely watched as it sets the tone for compensation and working conditions for regional airline employees who play a critical role in American Airlines' overall operations. The agreement aims to better recognize the work of frontline flight attendants and comes after a challenging period for PSA following a fatal accident involving one of its planes in 2025.

The details

The tentative agreement reached between the Association of Flight Attendants union and PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned American Airlines subsidiary, includes an immediate 10% pay raise for flight attendants as well as improvements to pay for boarding, scheduling, and additional pay scale increases over the three-year contract term. The union says the deal will result in a 30-50% increase in total compensation for PSA's flight attendants.

  • The tentative agreement was announced on February 19, 2026.
  • Flight attendants will vote on whether to ratify the contract, with the vote closing and being counted on March 6, 2026.

The players

Association of Flight Attendants

The union that represents the flight attendants at American Airlines' regional carrier PSA Airlines.

Robert Isom

The CEO of American Airlines, who the union says demonstrated a commitment to recognizing the work of frontline employees.

Sara Nelson

The international president for the Association of Flight Attendants.

Lee Wilkes

The PSA president of the Association of Flight Attendants.

PSA Airlines

A wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines that operates regional flights under the American Eagle brand.

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What they’re saying

“Although it was extremely difficult bargaining with PSA, American CEO Robert Isom demonstrated his longstanding commitment to recognize the work of frontline employees who make it possible for American to fly.”

— Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants

“We fought extremely hard to set a new industry standard for contract duration. The more often we negotiate, the more chances we have to improve our lives. We look forward to locking this in and pushing forward on our careers with more in our pockets and more of our time reflected in our paychecks.”

— Lee Wilkes, PSA President, Association of Flight Attendants

What’s next

Flight attendants at PSA Airlines will vote on whether to ratify the tentative contract agreement, with the vote closing and being counted on March 6, 2026.

The takeaway

This contract negotiation highlights the important role that regional airline employees play in the broader American Airlines network, and the company's efforts to improve compensation and working conditions for these frontline workers after a challenging period for PSA Airlines.