Boarding Pay Information

About Boarding Pay

0.42 TFP per departure
Increases overall pay by an average of 8% (range from 4.7% to 33.6%) (dependant on number of flights/boardings worked)
No change to Section 21.S. (Pre-Boarding Compensation)
Paid above Reserve Guarantee
Not included for PBS bid credit
Pays above Minimum Pay Rules (MPRs)
Applies toward Insurance 480 requirement (no other 480 requirements)
Sick Leave accrues

Boarding Pay FAQs

Boarding Pay is a new addition to the contract. Among our industry competitors, only Delta Flight Attendants currently have direct pay for boarding, at 50% of their pay rate. This could change at management discretion. Let’s address some of the common questions about what Boarding Pay looks like for us. We are the first unionized Flight Attendant group to secure contractually protected boarding pay.

How was 0.42 TFP calculated for Boarding Pay?

0:45 minutes of boarding is 0.75 hour (3/4) multiplied by 1.11 TFP per hours (TFP to block conversion rate) = 0.84 TFP.
Instead of paying 0.84 TFP at 50% of our rate, we opted for 0.42 TFP at 100% of our rate.

How is Boarding Pay calculated for Delta Flight Attendants?

For domestic narrow body aircraft, Delta Flight Attendants are currently paid for 0:40 minutes of boarding, which is 0.67 hours (2/3 of an hour) at 50% pay (0.74 TFP at 50% pay).
That is the equivalent of 0.33 hours (1/3) or 0:20 minutes of block time at 100% of their rate (0.37 TFP at 100% pay).
Our Boarding Pay is effectively higher than Delta’s

Why is Pre-Boarding 0.5 TFP and Boarding Pay 0.42 TFP?

Compensation for pre-boarding is a set amount based on additional work that was not expected for your day.
Boarding Pay is calculated based on boarding time, which is a scheduled component of each flight.

Do we receive Boarding Pay if our flight is pre-boarded?

You still receive full Boarding Pay for your flight, regardless of when you arrive at the aircraft.
Additionally, a Flight Attendant who pre-boards your flight receives 0.5 TFP (except APSB Reserve).

What happens to Boarding Pay during a mechanical?

If boarding begins and you subsequently experience a cancellation, Boarding Pay is paid in full.
If boarding begins and you subsequently experience a tail swap, Boarding Pay is paid twice.

Boarding Pay adds an average of 8% to overall pay – what does that mean?

Boarding Pay is a new pay component in the TA. It increases the paid TFP value of current pairings without any additional work or duty hours
Because the TFP added from Boarding Pay is based on the number of flights worked, the increase to overall pay is calculated as a range
A Flight Attendant working multiple flights per duty period will see a proportionally greater increase in pay than a Flight Attendant working one flight per duty period
The maximum variation of Boarding Pay to scheduled TFP ratio per duty period is based upon the company’s current route network, which ranges from 4.7% to 33.6%. The average increase based on the current route network is 8%

Why is Boarding Pay frequently being shared in conjunction with our raises?

In a union-busting attempt, Delta began paying Boarding Pay in June of 2022.
Southwest Flight Attendants ultimately did not pursue direct Boarding Pay in their recent contract – instead, they prioritized higher pay rates.
When Southwest announced new pay rates, Delta provided a unilateral raise to their Flight Attendants (another union-busting tactic). This made their rates comparable to Southwest with the inclusion of Boarding Pay.
Our Negotiating Committee, in consultation with the MEC, made a strategic decision to prioritize the addition of Boarding Pay. Boarding Pay was also a fundamental component of garnering public support.
The increase to paid TFP factors into achieving the Productivity Premium Program and meeting the 480 TFP threshold for insurance, in addition to increasing overall income.
The addition of Boarding Pay is another step toward ensuring a Flight Attendant is compensated for time at work.
Our Negotiating Committee and MEC believe adding Boarding Pay increases overall income while also providing additional benefits.