Delta increases staff wages by 5% and raises minimum starting salary

Delta Air Lines announced on Monday that it will be giving most of its employees a 5% raise, effective June 1. The raise comes as the airline gears up for another busy summer travel season and will cover flight attendants, ground-based employees, mechanics, and some office workers.

However, pilots are not included in this raise as their wages and benefits are governed by their collective bargaining agreement with the company. Last year, Delta and its pilots agreed to a new contract that included an immediate 18% wage increase, with annual raises of 4% to 5% in the following years.

The raise marks the third consecutive year of salary increases for Delta employees, reflecting the airline’s recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the raise, Delta also offers an annual profit-sharing bonus program for its employees, with this year’s bonus totaling $1.4 billion.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing industry-leading compensation for its employees, stating that the increase in base pay and starting rates is a reflection of their performance.

The news of the raise comes as Delta continues to navigate the challenges of the aviation industry, with the airline being the only carrier to report profitability in the first quarter of the year. The raise is a positive development for Delta employees and reflects the company’s efforts to reward and retain its workforce.