United and unions agree to regional carrier conducting United Express flying

United Airlines reached a tentative agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
The agreement allows United to create or acquire a controlling interest in a regional carrier for United Express.
Top wage rates reach $100 per hour by the end of the contract.
United holds stakes in CommuteAir and the merged Mesa and Republic Airways.
The provision permits staffing by regional carrier flight attendants for certain flights.

United Airlines has reached a new tentative agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. The agreement includes a provision that allows the carrier to create or acquire a controlling interest in a regional carrier conducting United Express flying. The flights of such a carrier may be staffed by flight attendants of that carrier unless operated by United pilots covered by the United pilot agreement.

United Express relies on independent regional carriers that include CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines. United holds a 40pc ownership stake in CommuteAir and it will hold over 10pc in the new merged Mesa and Republic Airways company. The tentative agreement provides industry-leading wages with top rates that reach $100 per hour by the end of the contract along with immediate raises upon ratification and a signing bonus.

The scope section of the agreement opens the possibility for United to own a regional carrier in a manner similar to domestic rivals. Local media reported the details of the provision. United did not immediately comment on specific plans to own a subsidiary carrier.