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Delta Air Lines is the only major US airline where flight attendants, aircraft mechanics, and fleet service workers do not have representation by a union organization. Only their roughly 17,000 pilots are union members, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Delta flight attendants have been trying to unionize, but they’re allegedly facing opposition from airline management.
On Tuesday, US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts urged Delta CEO Ed Bastian to remain neutral in the airline’s flight attendants’ organizing efforts in a letter obtained by Reuters. Some Delta flight attendants have accused the airline of threatening their future pay and benefits. Last year, Delta allegedly emailed flight attendants claiming that efforts to unionize would cause “inner turmoil.” Bastian also received a letter from 170 members of the US House of Representatives in June, urging neutrality. Delta claims no harassment has occurred, and said, “Delta fully supports our employees’ right to decide whether union representation is right for them and maintains a strict non-interference policy.”
Senators Warren and Markey commented on the unionizing efforts in a statement.
“We strongly encourage Delta to respect the rights of these workers by pledging to follow the law and not interfere in any union organizing activities or engage in intimidation, retaliation, or other forms of illegal interference through the adoption of a neutrality agreement.”
Why Unionize?
Shutterstock | Simple Flying
Before the Declaration of Independence was inked, a group of tailors in New York City organized a work strike to protest a wage cut in 1768. In 1794, the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers (shoemakers) established the first organized trade union in Philadelphia. As of 2025, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics says 10 percent of the US workforce is unionized, equating to about 16.5 million US workers.
A primary function of labor unions is to negotiate collective bargaining agreements (CBA). These agreements cover terms for pay scales, work hours, health insurance coverage, safe working conditions, and retirement benefits. CBAs also help workgroups and individuals file grievances against employers for things such as unsafe work conditions, unfair treatment, and retaliation. Unions also lobby for policies and candidates that protect their members’ interests. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice.”
For flight attendants, working conditions matter a lot. In accordance with FAA rules, flight attendants must receive at least 10 hours of rest time following a work day of up to 14 hours. If a crew is on shift for more than 14 hours, they must have at least 12 consecutive hours of rest. That rest time begins the moment they step off the plane, and includes transportation to the crew hotel, a meal, and anything they have to do to prepare for the following day. An average person working an 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM job gets 15 hours of rest between workdays.
Other US Airlines Are Heavily Unionized
At Delta, only the pilots are represented by a union, ALPA. The union represents over 80,000 pilots at 42 carriers in the US and Canada. Delta has roughly 100,000 employees, including just over 17,000 pilots. Delta has nearly 30,000 flight attendants who are seeking the same favorable workgroup representation.
At other large US airlines, unions represent workgroups including customer service, dispatchers, flight attendants, ground operations, and aircraft mechanics. 
American Airlines is about 87% unionized as a company, and has about 28,000 flight attendants who are unionized with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA). 
Southwest Airlines‘ 20,000 flight attendants are represented by the Transportation Workers Union Local 556. As a company, Southwest is 84% unionized as of 2025. 
United Airlines is approximately 85% unionized, and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) serves the workforce of over 30,000.
People First Equates To Profit
Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher was proud of his airline’s high percentage of unionized workers during his long tenure as President and CEO. He’s known for saying, “Your people come first, and if you treat them right, they’ll treat the customers right.” Collective bargaining agreement negotiations can sometimes carry on for years, and can often be turbulent both internally and externally. Public awareness campaigns such as picketing or newspaper ads are used by unions to gain attention and sympathy from the traveling public to the union’s cause.
Companies resist new agreements, which usually last 3 to 5 years, and propose a bare-minimum deal to workers because they know increased wages cut into the profit margin. However, once the dust settles after several rounds of negotiation and membership voting, a ratified contract often brings clear skies.
